THE VOICE OF VALUE (@TheVoiceOfValue) has been part of our Festival squad for the last two years. Here, he takes an early look at Tuesday's JT McNamara National Hunt Chase.
Cheltenham 16:50 | JT McNamara National Hunt Chase | ITV4
This race hasn’t always had the best reputation because it has been seen in the past as a real slog over four miles for so called ‘plodders’.
Last year though the top three were Minella Rocco, Native River and Measureofmydreams who are all classy and Native River in particular has gone on to bigger and better things to the extent that he is vying for favouritism for the Gold Cup.
I’ve tipped A Genie In Abottle already for this race and he has the benefit of Jamie Codd on board who is great value in the amateur races. Edwulf is his main market rival but I would be concerned about his jumping in a race like this. They need to be efficient and tidy and Edwulf is neither.
Fits the profile
Beware The Bear ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen is a definite danger. He fits the profile and has won his last four in a row. It’s not clear whether he will stay the four miles or not and Nicky Henderson wouldn’t necessarily be my go to guy for staying chasers but he could be an each-way alternative.
The one that I will put up in addition to A Genie In Abottle is a previous Festival winner Tiger Roll who won the Triumph Hurdle back in 2014. He is the second-highest rated horse in the race and although the jockey isn’t as useful as Jamie Codd or Derek O’Connor, she is an experienced enough amateur.
Gordon Elliott is very keen on Tiger Roll’s chances and I think the price is too big at 16/1 each-way with 10BET.
Best Bets
JT McNamara National Hunt Chase – A Genie In Abottle (5/1 each-way 10BET)
JT McNamara National Hunt Chase – Tiger Roll (16/1 each-way 10BET)
