Ed Quigley has a long-term look with his Antepost Armchair column to begin the week, while Fridays are all about the biggest weekend action, covered in Ed’s Weekend Watch column.
Throughout the year, make sure you check out Ed Quigley’s thoughts on Freebets!
Ed Quigley Cheltenham Tips - Wednesday, April 17
Ed is back with his selections for Day One of the April Meeting at Cheltenham.
1:30pm Cheltenham - Encanto Bruno
This race is an absolute belter, where the ‘home’ team have some strong representation.
However, I think this can go the way of Ireland and the Gavin Cromwell-trained ENCANTO BRUNO.
The six-year-old has been a little bit in the doldrums recently but has faced some stiff tasks, including in Grade 1 company on unsuitably soft ground.
I think that could be the key here - he swerved the Cheltenham Festival because of deep ground, as he is a much better horse on a sounder surface.
This race looks perfect for him, given that the ground at Prestbury Park is drying up, and Encanto Bruno has two wins from three visits to the track.
Overall, I think he has a lot going for him, and Gavin Cromwell has had a stunning season - especially with his runners at this track. Keith Donoghue takes the ride and I like the chances of this combination here.
2:05pm Cheltenham - Lallygag (Each-Way)
Paul Nicholls won’t be giving up on his quest for another trainer’s title any time soon, and in terms of prize money, every little helps at the moment.
With over £13,000 on offer to the winner, this is a good prize, and keep your eyes on the Ditcheat representative, LALLYGAG.
The seven-year-old has been a little underwhelming this season, but dropping to a mark of 128, he is now looking dangerously well handicapped on last season’s form.
He stayed on up the hill nicely to finish third in this race 12 months ago, and everything looks in place for a big run here, considering he gets into this year’s renewal off a 4lb lower mark.
Harry Cobden is in the saddle, and a bold each-way bid is on the cards, with underfoot conditions starting to turn in his favour.
3:15pm Cheltenham - Hymac (Each-Way)
The Harry Fry team are coming into form, and despite his inexperience over fences, I can see a big run from the talented HYMAC in this handicap chase over 3m4f.
He is yet to win over obstacles and it would be fair to say that his transition to fences hasn’t been plain sailing, but there are signs that things are starting to click.
Pulled-up on his Chase debut at Chepstow, he has followed that run with a third-placed effort at Taunton, and then a staying on second at Uttoxeter last time out, where he didn’t look best served by the drop in trip back to 2m4f.
However, he was starting to get his act together in the jumping department, and he shapes to me like he will be really suited by this thorough examination of stamina.
Eased to 120 and upped markedly in trip for this first time, I think we can see significant improvement for this assignment.
Johnny Burke takes the ride on the eight-year-old, and I like their chances.
Ed’s Antepost Selections:
Firefox @ 14/1 - Arkle Challenge Trophy, Cheltenham Festival (Tipped 14/03/24)
Monty’s Star @ 20/1, Cheltenham Gold Cup Cheltenham Festival (Tipped 14/03/24)
* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
About Ed Quigley
Ed Quigley grew up just outside Cheltenham & spent over a decade with the Racing Post, where he was best known for his Longshot Column, RPTV and as a weekly columnist in the Racing & Football Outlook.
Now a Freelance Broadcaster and Journalist, he is a regular on Sky Sports Racing and Ladbrokes TV, amongst other things.
He will contribute his insight to Freebets.com and, of course, will be the go-to guy for all things Cheltenham Festival-related!
We have an Antepost Armchair article from Ed every Tuesday looking at the bigger picture and long-term plans for many horses. He also brings us his Weekend Watch on Friday, looking at the feast of action taking place over the weekend.
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