Cheltenham is done and dusted for another year, as the action turns to Kempton and Uttoxeter on Saturday
At Kempton, I think ART APPROVAL (2.40pm) is a solid each-way pick for the Fergal O’Brien team. I think the combination of 3m and testing ground have proved too much for him in recent events, putting too much emphasis on his stamina in the process. Coming back to 2m5f on drying ground looks ideal, and I think he should be right in the mix with the tongue-tie going on for the first time.
KILLER CLOWN (3.15pm) can bounce back to form after disappointing at Ascot on testing ground last time out. That was a hot race, and the Emma Lavelle trained eight-year-old has winning course form at the Sunbury venue, so should be suited by a return to this track. Adam Wedge takes the ride, and it wouldn’t surprise me if there was more to come off a mark of 140.
Over at Uttoxeter, OPTIMISE PRIME (1.50pm) looks the each-way play off top weight. The Ben Pauling team have had an excellent time of things lately, with Global Citizen adding another Cheltenham Festival winner to his fledgling trainer’s CV. Off a mark of 126 he is far from out of this, with Luca Morgan claiming 3lbs.
The Midlands Grand National is at 3.35pm, and with the Venetia Williams team in red-hot form at the moment, the veteran, ACHILLE is not one to write off with the blinkers going on for the first time and Hugh Nugent on board claiming 3lb. He was only beaten just over six lengths in this assignment 12 months ago, and arrives off a 9lb lower mark. It would be foolish to dismiss his claims with a lot of things in his favour.
Advice:
- Art Approval, Kempton 2.40pm – 0.5pts each-way @ 12/1 with Betfair
- Killer Clown, Kempton 3.15pm – 1pt win @ 15/2 with bet365
- Optimise Prime, Uttoxeter 1.50pm – 0.5pts each-way @ 22/1 with BetVictor
- Achille, Uttoxeter 3.35pm – 0.5pts each-way @ 16/1 with bet365
