The Wine Tipster: “The addition of cheekpieces says connections mean business with conditions to suit”

The first day of The Showcase meeting at the home of jump racing certainly has plenty of competitive racing with a strong Irish challenge. Five of the seven races have more than ten runners and there will be many already marking your card for The Festival in March. At the time of writing on Thursday there has been little recent rain, with a forecast of 8mm for Friday they will be running on good ground.

Enjoy Cheltenham on day one of The Showcase meeting whether on course or watching on ITV or Racing TV.

Cheers

The Wine Tipster

1.35 Cheltenham – Showcasing Sustainability Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (2m ½f)

Elham Valley is the each way selection in a wide-open contest, having being placed on both his runs at Cheltenham, including the Fred Winter, and he has struck up a good relationship with Jack Hogan this summer. Elham Valley followed up his Newton Abbot win with a solid effort against the improving Hurricane Ali at Southwell last month when finishing runner-up after making rapid progress late on. There will be a fast pace here, which will play to his smooth-travelling strengths on good ground that will be ideal.

2.10 Cheltenham – squareintheair.com Novices’ Chase (2m)

Straw Fan Jack was a joy to watch on debut over fences at Hereford earlier this month when beating old rival Black Poppy, after looking the winner a long way out. The way that Straw Fan Jack travelled and jumped his fences so well made him look an absolute natural. A different and harder test here, but he will go on the ground and if him jumps as accurately again then Straw Fan Jack looks overpriced.

2.45 Cheltenham – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (2m 4f)

She Is Electric (nap) looks the one to beat on form, having taken a Listed contest at Gowran last time out in September when beating Champagne Problem after making the running. This was a step up from her previous success at Ballinrobe on good ground. She Is Electric looks sure to be suited by the step in trip from last time out, has the potential to improve again and prove herself a useful mare in this division this season.

3.55 Cheltenham – Dhabi Digital Exchange Handicap Hurdle (2m 4f)

Coole Cody would be the most popular winner of the day if victorious on seasonal debut on his fifteenth start at the home of jump racing. More known as a jumper, he is an impressive hurdler too and was second to the classy Guard Your Dreams in the 2021 renewal. This doesn’t look such a strong contest and this remarkable eleven-year-old goes well on quick going.

4.30 Cheltenham – Andrew Malam Lifetime in Racing Award Winner Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (3m 1f)

Powerful Position is a bold-jumping front runner, who could really be suited by Cheltenham and looks to have the right profile here. He rattled off a hat-trick in quick time in the spring and then looked badly in need of a run at Ffos Las earlier this month when a well beaten runner-up. Powerful Position will strip much fitter and the addition of cheekpieces says connections mean business with conditions to suit.

Madera Mist has an excellent Cheltenham record of 1291, with the poor performance in this race last year when this mare hadn’t raced since May. This year Madera Mist has had a prep run with a rare appearance over hurdles last month when unplaced on her first start for six months. Madera Mist will come on plenty for that run, has ground conditions to suit and remember one of her victories at Cheltenham was by twelve lengths when beating Barden Bella in a Mares’ Chase in April on good ground.

Unibet will also be running specials throughout the day, including 15 To Go, Money back if 2nd or 3rd, Extra Place races, and more. Click below for details.

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