Cheltenham Festival – Close Brothers Handicap Chase: Hughes to play key role in finale

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THE Voice Of Value (@TheVoiceOfValue) is our man for the Day 1 finale, the Close Brothers Handicap Chase.

Cheltenham 17:30 | Close Brothers Handicap Chase | Racing UK

The weights aren’t hugely important in this race because all of the runners are rated within 5lb of each other. The key for me here is to try to find one that is well handicapped and has the potential to be much better in time.

I initially Poker School but he’s now a non-runner so it’s money back for us and back to the well we go. Romain De Senam was another that caught the eye who is now a non-runner and the rain hasn’t come for Bun Doran but there is one very interesting runner who has been declared in the shape of Double W's.

Hughes a key weapon

Malcolm Jefferson wouldn’t have tons of runners at the Festival but he is very fond of this one as is Brian Hughes the jockey. Hughes is having an incredible season this year and looks the most likely jockey to challenge Richard Johnson for champion jockey in the years to come.

He seems to be riding multiple winners on a daily basis, particularly up north where sometimes there is less publicity and a lower class of racing so he flies under the radar to some extent.

When he said he was very keen on this horse I took note. You can bet that Double W’s has been aimed at the festival all year and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him run a big race at a nice big price.

Best Bets

Close Brothers Handicap Chase – Double W's each way (14/1 10BET)

About Author

'The Voice of Value’ column is written by Paul Gallagher who is an amateur tipster with a love for racing and jumps racing in particular. He caught the bug at an early age when his grandfather had a share in a winning chaser and his annual Grand National and Cheltenham guides have been well received over the last few years. Paul also enjoys the flat racing and football.

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