Nick Luck’s Blog: Betts can better Chantry House in the Cotswold

Trials Day at Cheltenham signals the start of the countdown to the Festival, and there’s plenty of high-class action at Doncaster too.

Nick Luck, our resident tipster, has cast his eye over the pick of Saturday’s racing.

Cheltenham

SPIRITOFTHEGAMES gets an each way shout at 12/1 in the TV opener on Cheltenham’s Trials Day (1.55pm). He’s an infrequent winner, but has run some serious races on the New Course here, and won’t mind dry ground. The handicapper is definitely giving him some slack: he was 12 pounds higher when chasing home Cepage in a much stronger edition two years ago, and Jack Andrews is very good for his claim. The last two runs have been over too far, and a return to his favourite track and trip should see a decent effort.

SIMPLY THE BETTS is the selection in the Cotswold Chase (2.30pm). The trip remains an unknown, as his poor effort at Aintree didn’t tell us anything conclusive, but the way he has finished here before suggests it is well worth another try. His two Cheltenham runs have been very good this season, the ground will help him, and he got on very well with Harry Cobden last time. I’m slightly perturbed by the application of cheekpieces to favourite Chantry House and am a little less excited by his Grade One form last season than some, so Simply The Betts offers more value at 10/3.

MCFABULOUS is talented enough to give Champ something to think about in the Cleeve (3.05pm). His one previous try at three miles was, in retrospect, one of his best runs: behind a peak form Thyme Hill and Paisley Park on a sound surface (something which has always looked to suit). Either way, he definitely looks as though he needs the extra distance now, judged on quite a promising comeback from which he’s entitled to improve given the issues he endured at the start of the season. A small field and slightly messy race may not be ideal for Champ, and McFabulous rates a bet at 7/2.

A DIFFERENT KIND is value at 10/1 to land the Ballymore trial (3.40pm). Balco Coastal has loads of ability, but the form book doesn’t quite match the reputation, while the potential star Hillcrest should probably be clear favourite on form, but must be doubtful if the ground gets any quicker. The selection, however, wouldn’t be too far behind on a comprehensive beating of Green Book (now rated 130) on unsuitably soft ground at Haydock. He’s since bolted up at Catterick, trainer and jockey keep going great guns, and he should relish conditions that place an emphasis on pace.

Doncaster

ANNA BUNINA looks a fair bet in the first TV race at Doncaster (2.10pm). She ran really well at the Festival, and then again when travelling strongly in the Scottish Champion Hurdle. She invariably needs her first run back, so that spin behind Tommy’s Oscar at Musselburgh should have done the trick, and this will be much easier. She makes a fair bit of appeal at 4/1, particularly as the current odds-on favourite didn’t fancy jumping off last time.

BRIDGE NORTH makes quite a bit of appeal in the River Don (2.45pm). This is a tightly matched bunch, with no superstars yet, but loads of potential. The selection has every chance on pedigree of being a useful stayer, and his efforts to date have been very creditable, particularly as Ludlow wouldn’t be the obvious place for a horse of his profile to really shine. One thing that grounding will ensure, though, is that he will be well within his comfort zone and I can’t wait to see him tackling a proper trip. Henry Daly’s runner offers plenty of value at 7/1 too.

CAP DU NORD is not without risks, but just gets the vote in the Sky Bet Chase (3.20pm). He is looking alarmingly well handicapped, which tells you he hasn’t exactly been setting the world alight, but his Wincanton run two starts back told you most of the ability was still there. The compelling evidence is that his best form came on decent ground on a flat, left-handed track, and that three miles is about his optimum trip. He could be worth chancing at 13/2.

Gulfstream, Saturday

I am in Florida this weekend for the Pegasus World Cup, where 5/4 chance LIFE IS GOOD can win one of the most intriguing match-ups of recent times against the Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Knicks Go (10.34pm). Meanwhile the Turf race (9.49pm) may go the way of the low mileage seven-year-old DOSWELL, who looked in peak form when taking the Fort Lauderdale last time and can be backed at 11/1.