Selections for Saturday 16th of November 2024
1.10 Cheltenham
1/2 point each way Deise Aba (16/1 Generally, 4 places)
Deise Aba looks like a generous price going on his recent form. He was a head second to Remastered on his latest start at Wincanton on good ground over 3m 2f. The pair pulled 7 lengths clear of the third that day. Remastered looked like the only horse that would have given Al Dancer a race on his latest start in the Badger Beer Handicap at Wincanton. However he fell four out when still travelling well. The change of trainer for Deise Aba has sparked enough of a revival to show he still retains ability. Hopefully now his enthusiasm will continue for the game at least tomorrow.
1/2 point each way Captain Speaking (28/1 Paddy power or 25/1 Generally, 4 places)
We had good luck with a French raider yesterday and I am hoping for the same with the Nick Littmoden trained Captain Speaking. He was second on his latest start back in Auteuil. That was over 2m 6f on very soft ground but he does have back form on good ground so that shouldn’t be a problem. A handicap mark of 118 looks generous from the British handicapper and this seven times Chase winner might have been underestimated. Jockey James King is a good jockey booking.
2.20 Cheltenham
1 point each way Ga Law (5/1 Paddy power, 5 places or 11/2 Bet365/ William Hill, 4 places)
Ga Law was a big eyecatcher on his last start when finishing second at Chepstow over 2m 3f. He travelled like the best horse that day and just flattened out after the last to finish a respectable second. That run should have put him spot on for this test and he is still only an eight year old. He has a good record at this track having won both his starts in handicaps including this race two years ago which was also on good ground. He is 13 lbs higher in the handicap now but he is also two years older and his jumping has improved as he used to make a costly mistake in most of his races. He should run well and is just a tough experienced Chaser now.
1 point each way Il Ridoto (15/2 Paddy power, 5 places or 8/1 Generally, 4 places)
Il Ridoto is another horse who always runs his race around Cheltenham. It is hard to believe he is only a seven year old but unlike Ga Law he is well handicapped and is 6 lbs lower than when third in this race on his seasonal debut last season. This season he has a run under his belt after finishing fifth in the same race as GA Law at Chepstow last month. That should have him right for today and he will probably be aimed at the December meeting here next. We will keep him onside anyways.
2.55 Cheltenham
1 point each way Zeeband (14/1 Bet365/ Betvictor, 4 places)
The two horses that head the weights interested me here but at twice the odds I have decided on Zeeband though I do think Gowel Road will run well. Trainer Paul Gilligan won this race last year with Buddy One and he has a live chance of going close again with Zeeband. Zeeband is in great form having won his maiden and three handicap hurdles so far this season. His last run at Galway left the impression that he will get this 3 miles trip as he rallied well at the finish for second behind the Willie Mullins trained Four Clean Aces. Jack Gilligan rides the horse usually and claims 5 lbs.
3.30 Cheltenham
1/2 point each way Kings Hill (20/1 Paddy power/ William Hill, 3 places)
Another Gilligan raider and I don’t want to let him pass without having a minimum wager on him. He was ninth last season in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the festival, however it was his penultimate start at Galway that caught the eye. That was his first attempt at 2m 5f and he ran a nice race finishing second to the well handicapped The Wallpark. He has franked the form since beating Gowel Road in a Pertemps Qualifier here last month. This trip looks perfect for him on this ground and again jockey Jack Gilligan claims the 5 lbs and will know this horse well from home.
1 point each way Major Fortune (13/2 Unibet, 3 places or 6/1 Bet365, 3 places)
Major Fortune is of interest for a few reasons in this. Firstly he is the likeliest winner of the race and more importantly from a personal point of view I have a small share of a half sister to him by Maxios coming along. He has been very progressive so far in his career and the way he won on his reappearance over 2m 1f at Newton Abbot would suggest he has another few pounds up his sleeve. He will be suited by this step up in trip and the only worry about him would be the ground, though he did win a Novice Hurdle at Hereford on good ground.
**Date & Time of next Selections Sunday 17th of November at 11am..