‘There’s one horse with the potential to blow the race away’ – Paul Kealy on a Cheltenham runner who could prove a class above his rivals
There is another cracking day of racing at Cheltenham on Saturday, headlined by the Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup (1.50), and our In The Know tipsters think favourite Jagwar will be tough to beat.
“Jagwar is a very fair price considering he’s 20-1 for the Ryanair Chase,” said Robbie Wilders. “He’ll need to improve about 20lb potentially for that, but there’s value in backing him now at this sort of price for the race here.
“I’ve been banging on about Kim Roque. Joseph O’Brien has sent Banbridge over before to win good prize-money at these early meetings and I think that’s what he’s doing here.
“He’s off a low weight and he’s so unexposed. There are only two horses who can win this quite easily and that’s Jagwar or Kim Roque.”
On the Racing Post’s In The Know YouTube video, Paul Kealy added: “There’s one horse with the potential to blow the race away and that’s Jagwar. I like how they thought the horse was more important than a race like the Paddy Power Gold Cup, and the yard form is heading in the right direction.
“He’s not short of pace and he certainly finishes strongly up the hill. He’s the one to beat and the one with graded potential.”
More key insight from In The Know
I think Prince Zaltar is really interesting. Kikijo, who he bumped into last time, was very well handicapped and I like that form; it’s the sort of prize I can see Skelton would’ve had an eye on. He’s improved since joining that stable and he’s primed to run well; he’ll be there or thereabouts.
Robbie Wilders fancies Prince Zaltar in the Pennine Handicap Chase at Doncaster (2.05)
I’ve gone with the old man in the field, I think he’s a big price. I was totally shocked he was the joint favourite last time at two and a half miles but he’s back at a favourable trip here. His two best runs came last season when he won over two miles at Sandown and then when fourth in the Red Rum Handicap Chase.
Kealy is backing the veteran Gunsight Ridge in the 2m½f handicap chase at Cheltenham (2.25)
It’s irritating there are seven and not eight runners as I would’ve been having a fair each-way bet on Carlenrig. I thought he ran really well at Chepstow and the race was dominated by an odds-on favourite. The fifth in that race has come out and won since too. He’s a fair price for a runner from one of the best novice hurdler trainers in Britain.
Wilders thinks there is value in getting behind Carlenrig in the 3m novice hurdle (3.00)
In The Know best bets on Saturday
Paul Kealy: Hurricane Bay (2.05 Doncaster)
Jky: Jack Quinlan Tnr: Lucy Wadham
Robbie Wilders: Siog Geal (3.35 Cheltenham)
Jky: Jonathan Burke Tnr: Fergal O’Brien
Ross Brierley: Reckless Spending (3.00 Cheltenham)
Jky: Nico de Boinville Tnr: Nicky Henderson
Read these next:
‘He looked a natural on his chasing debut’ – Harry Wilson returns with tips for every race on day two of Cheltenham’s December meeting
‘He can take advantage at his favourite venue’ – our experts give their best bets for Saturday’s racing
‘He could be hard to beat’ – December Gold Cup rider Dylan Johnston joins our panel as Cheltenham leads a big weekend
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