HORSE RACING expert Jake Russell (@JakeRuss1000) shares his best bets from Saturday's excellent action at Cheltenham.
12:05 Saturday | Cheltenham
It's very difficult to oppose Thyme Hill (6/4 Bet365), who was a very good third in the Champion Bumper at the Festival in March, and he boosted that form by winning the Grade 2 Persian War Novices Hurdle at Chepstow last time out on hurdle debut.
Certainly the one to beat on Saturday, after beating some very classy horses last time out.
12:40 Saturday | Cheltenham
There will possibly be another red hot favourite of Paul Nicholls in this race but I really like the look of Allmankind (11/2 Bet365) as an each-way bet.
He won with absolute ease in his first hurdle start at Warwick eight days ago, and I was there to witness the breathtaking performance first hand. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't as high calibre as this race, but he still made all and won by a whopping 37 lengths after being eased to the line.
He could be anything for the Skeltons.
1:15 Saturday | Cheltenham
Wholestone (15/8 BetVictor) is a triple Grade 2 winner at Cheltenham and very very classy on his day. Only just beaten by a neck on his second chase start, however he won with ease on his debut after being the only one to finish in a two-horse race.
He will certainly be the one to beat in this race if he can reproduce his hurdle form to chasing.
1:50 Saturday | Cheltenham | ITV
West Approach (9/2 Ladbrokes) ran a cracking race in a class 2 chase here three weeks ago after taking the lead at the final bend but getting outpaced up the Cheltenham hill, only getting beat by just under two lengths.
He has the experience of Cheltenham and does tend to run a great race here. If he can re-capture his form from last time then he could be the one to beat.
2:25 Saturday | Cheltenham | ITV
Siruh Du Lac (8/1 BetVictor) is Nick William's star and came on leaps and bounds last season, remaining undefeated in all his four starts. He won two Grade 3's at Cheltenham last season after jumping and running from the front very well at the Festival, beating the very talented Janika on both occasions, who has subsequently won a hot Grade 2 since they last visited in March.
If he runs anywhere near like he did at the Festival then he will be up there in the Winners Enclosure for sure and extend his unbeaten run to get him off the mark for the season.
The fact that connections have placed him in this Grade 3 contest for his first start of the season speaks wonders on the class they feel this horse has.
3:00 Saturday | Cheltenham | ITV
The Olly Murphy mount – The Butcher Said (11/2 Bet365) – is having a fine season, winning four races and coming second to a useful winner here last time out. The winner of that race runs in the 1:50 and looks like he has a very good chance of winning again.
AP Heskin is booked again and he is enjoying his good form of late.
3:30 Saturday | Cheltenham | ITV
Legends Gold (11/2 Unibet) was a very comfortable two-time winner already this season over hurdles. He takes a big step up in class, however with the manner of how he won his last two races I can't see why he wont be up there.
He will handle the soft ground and the 2m trip, a winner on both so this should be suited to him.
4:00 Saturday | Cheltenham
Midnight Callisto (5/2 Bet365) was a very impressive eight-length winner on soft ground at Fontwell on her racecourse debut. She was very well backed and justified the market support with a very good run.
She is associated with a yard that does very well in these types of races, and if she produces like she did three weeks ago then she will be very hard to beat. One to keep an eye on. for sure.
Best Bets
12:05 Cheltenham – Thyme Hill (6/4 Bet365)
12:40 Cheltenham – Allmankind (11/2 each-way Bet365)
13:15 Cheltenham – Wholestone (15/8 BetVictor)
13:50 Cheltenham – West Approach (9/2 Ladbrokes)
14:25 Cheltenham – Siruh Du Lac (8/1 each-way BetVictor)
15:00 Cheltenham – The Butcher Said (11/2 Bet365)
15:30 Cheltenham – Legends Gold (11/2 Unibet)
16:00 Cheltenham – Midnight Callisto (5/2 Bet365)
