It will be a surprise if Saturday’s Cotswold Chase has much of a bearing on the Cheltenham Gold Cup but at least Frodon (2.25) can pay for his entry into the March race by beating his five rivals here. It was on this card a year ago that he put up the best performance of his career, beating Shantou Flyer by a wide margin in a handicap, and this would be his fourth course success.
He has yet to win at three miles but ran a couple of good races at that distance in 2017, when he was only five, and has not been asked since. All of these rivals would meet him on better terms if this were a handicap, though Valtor and Elegant Escape still have scope for progress.
1.50 Cheltenham From the top of the weights Activial might still be on a fair rating, judging by the class he has shown in graduation contests this season. After an easy win at Haydock he failed only narrowly to give 11lbs to Kildisart at Ascot and may have too many guns for Nicky Henderson’s ex-French Janika.
2.05 Doncaster Only four in this novice hurdle but they might prove quite closely matched. Bailarico maintained an excellent strike-rate on the Flat and is now finding his way over hurdles, as evidenced by his recent Kempton win in which the step up to this distance was a help.
2.40 Doncaster Though Lady Buttons might be better over fences, this is not a bad opportunity for her to take her winning run this season to four. The unexposed Indefatigable looks a danger.
3.00 Cheltenham Birchdale has the big reputation but as yet he has won only a maiden hurdle. Jarveys Plate will surely go well, in light of his New Year’s Day win here, but Brewin’upastorm could prove even more dangerous after running a big race to be fourth in the Challow. That was just his second start over hurdles and he was running on well again at the finish.
3.15 Doncaster Three from eight is a respectable strike-rate over fences for Willie Boy and he was still in the argument when crashing out in the BetVictor in November. With cheekpieces fitted he put up a career best at Wetherby on Boxing Day and, while this requires a step up in class and in distance, the ease with which he travels will take him a long way.
3.35 Cheltenham A really tricky Cleeve Hurdle may fall to Midnight Shadow, who finished to such good effect at the last meeting to win the Relkeel. This is another step up in distance but the signs are that he will cope and perhaps even thrive on it. Aux Ptits Soins is a fascinating contender but this is much tougher than the handicap he won here last time.
Cheltenham 12.40 Adjali 1.15 Kildisart 1.50 Activial 2.25 Frodon 3.00 Brewin’upastorm 3.35 Midnight Shadow 4.10 Flash The Steel (nap)
Doncaster 12.55 Present From Dubai 1.30 Dynamite Dollars 2.05 Bailarico 2.40 Lady Buttons 3.15 Willie Boy (nb) 3.50 Lord County 4.25 Nonesuch
Uttoxeter 1.05 Boutan 1.40 Captain Woodie 2.15 Bandon Roc 2.50 Burrows Park 3.25 Molly Carew 4.00 Keep Moving
Lingfield 1.20 Lincoln Spirit 1.55 Haitian Spirit 2.30 Pushkin Museum 3.05 Fearsome 3.40 Scofflaw 4.15 Lethal Lover
Chelmsford 4.40 Titan Goddess 5.15 Classic Charm 5.45 Vrai 6.15 Stamford Raffles 6.45 Cappananty Con 7.15 Global Art 7.45 Plait
8.15 Imperial Act