HORSE RACING expert Jake Russell (@JakeRuss1000) shares his best bets from Sunday's action at Cheltenham.
It was a fantastic Saturday with four picks winning out of seven, and all winning in style.
Allmankind was personally my favourite winner, I knew when I saw him hose up at Warwick a few weeks ago that he could be special. He shown that this weekend when battling his way up the hill to win comfortably again for the Skeltons.
It's nice to finally show what I can do and get some winners on the board. Same again on Sunday would be nice so please find a selection from each race with another quality card to come at Cheltenham.
12:45 Sunday | Cheltenham
Dont Shout (17/2 Bet365) was a six-length winner last time out at Hereford after winning over hurdles on just his second start.
A brother to Lisnagar Oscar, the step up in trip will not be an issue and this yard have a fantastic record at this meeting, so I wouldn't surprise me if this horse up there in this race.
1.15 Sunday | Cheltenham
Urgent De Gregaine (4/1 Matchbook) is no spring chicken anymore, but what's not to love about this horse and the thought that he has a real chance of winning again here for the first time in over two years is fantastic.
We last saw him finishing a mile back in third behind the very impressive Tiger Roll in the Cross Country at the Festival, but he ran a cracking race that day. Along with this, his record around Cheltenham and the testing conditions, everything is going right for the old boy and he should still have the quality to be up there again.
1:50 Sunday | Cheltenham | ITV
Al Dancer (13/8 10BET) versus Getaway Trump II as these two battle it out again in this Grade 2 contest. It has been reported that Getaway Trump will benefit hugely fitness wise from the last run when he was back in third, he also has 3lb less than his rival.
However, the manner of how Al Dancer won over course and distance last time out really impressed me and the racing world. He could be very special this season and with the Twiston-Davies record at this meeting, I see Al Dancer very hard to beat again if he can replicate his performance from last time.
2:25 Sunday | Cheltenham | ITV
This looks like it's going to be a three-way battle, and what a contest we could have.
Saint Calvados (10/3 Bet365) was going to run in the Gold Cup on Saturday but Harry Whittington has opted for this Grade 2 contest instead. He was a very impressive winner last time at Cheltenham to defy top weight, after making all and jumping powerfully, then staying on gamely up the Cheltenham hill. He shown his battling side to him that day, and if he can get to the front and set the pace then he may be very hard to pass again.
I'm really looking forward to what Harry Whittington's improving mount can do in this race, up against Festival hero Defi Du Seuil and Paul Nicholls's Champion Chase runner up Politologue.
3:00 Sunday | Cheltenham | ITV
A career best performance last time out for the Jane William's trained Monsieur Lecoq (15/2 888) after winning the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las. He ran a cracking race that day to only just win, but stayed to the task very well when he was asked.
He has a rise of 7lb here but Lizzie Kelly takes off a valuable 3lb, so that will benefit him massively in what is a hugely competitive race. If he can reproduce last races form then he could be hard to beat again.
3:30 Sunday | Cheltenham | ITV
This looks like it could be a cracking Novices Hurdle with some quality looking horses going forward. But my pick Ecco (9/4 Betway) is another one I watched first hand last time out at Ascot, and he really impressed me that day.
That was a fairly decent novices event but the way he went about his business, staying all the way to the line shows he could have a great future for the Nicholls team. He jumped pretty well that day and was eventually eased down at the line to win by six lengths.
The ground shouldn't be an issue and this stamina sapping track is sure to suit this horse massively. I'm really looking forward to seeing him run again in this Grade 2 contest.
4:00 Sunday | Cheltenham
Winner of a very valuable Class 2 bumper here last time out on heavy ground shows the quality Time Flies By (10/11 BetVictor) has in his locker. To win at Cheltenham on very testing ground takes a lot, especially the way this horse done it by almost two lengths after easily taking the lead.
This horse could be something we all need to keep an eye on in the future, a potential star for Nicky Henderson.
Best Bets
12:45 Cheltenham – Dont Shout (17/2 each-way Bet365)
1:15 Cheltenham – Urgent De Gregaine (4/1 Matchbook)
1:50 Cheltenham – Al Dancer (13/8 10BET)
2:25 Cheltenham – Saint Calvados (10/3 Bet365)
3:00 Cheltenham – Monsieur Lecoq (15/2 888)
3:30 Cheltenham – Ecco (9/4 Betway)
4:00 Cheltenham – Time Flies By (10/11 BetVictor)
