Cheltenham eyecatchers plus 33-1 Albert Bartlett tip

It’s hard to believe there are only two more meetings at Cheltenham before the Festival takes place, and there were some more clues on offer for the big four days in March at the International Meeting on Friday and Saturday.

My Drogo provided a few scares en route to victory but cruised clear on the bridle to get off the mark over fences and is now a best-priced 8-1 for the newly sponsored Turners Novices’ Chase (formerly the Marsh Novices’ Chase), while Blazing Khal is now the 5-1 ante-post favourite for the Albert Bartlett after scoring at Grade Two level on Saturday.

Below are five horses who caught the eye in defeat over the two days, including a couple who are likely to have a say in the handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival, as well as a youngster who looks worth a second look at 33-1 for the Albert Bartlett.

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Race: Second in the British EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle 12.05pm, Friday

Connections of this youngster made it no secret that he was held in high regard ahead of his debut at Exeter in November, and he overcame his inexperience on that occasion to defeat two potentially above-average novice hurdlers, including Grade Two runner-up Luttrell Lad who has a rating of 135.

Despite the amount of potential he showed on debut, Colin Tizzard’s four-year-old was relatively weak in the market ahead of the opener at Cheltenham on Friday where he faced four other exciting prospects in a contest won by Chantry House, Pingshou, Elixir De Nutz and Melodic Rendezvous – who all went on to win at Grade One level – in recent years.

Jpr One jumped well throughout and travelled like the best horse in the race before he was collared close home by Datsalrightgino, who was having his sixth start, and his lack of experience has probably cost him here in the final furlong. It’s not like he didn’t find under pressure when challenged, though, and he was only denied by a stronger stayer, with an experience edge, who is more battle-hardened.

This contest was also run at a sedate gallop before the field sprinted for home, and Jpr One was the last contender off the bridle.

He is undoubtedly a chaser in the making but, based upon his first two starts, it will be a surprise if he doesn’t develop into a high-class novice hurdler this season.

Race: Second in the Citipost Handicap Hurdle (3.35pm, Friday)

Botox Has developed into a smart novice hurdler in 2019 before he endured a lengthy absence prior to winning a useful contest at Cheltenham at the start of last season, and he looked set for a productive second season over hurdles following that success.

However, things did not go to plan thereafter and, despite being set some difficult challenges, he failed to sparkle for the rest of the campaign.

Connections decided to send him over fences for his seasonal debut in October this year where he suffered a heavy fall, and it wasn’t a shock to see him revert back to hurdles on his next outing where he stayed on from an unpromising position to finish eighth in the Greatwood Hurdle.

His pedigree does not suggest three miles would suit him, but he ran his best race for some time in the 3m handicap hurdle on Friday when wearing cheekpieces for the first time. Gary Moore’s charge found plenty under pressure to be beaten just over a length by Kansas City Chief, who was given a brilliant ride by Victoria Malzard from the front, and his record at Cheltenham now reads 211P82.

Botox Has was also conceding 18lb to the winner plus pulled nicely clear of the third, and I expect connections will persevere with him over hurdles this season.

He remains unexposed over this trip and, despite the fact he will be nudged up at least a couple of pounds by the handicapper for this effort, he will remain fairly treated on his old form and is worth following this season.

Race: Second in the Simon Claisse Handicap Chase (1.15pm, Saturday)

This six-year-old caught the eye on his seasonal debut when third behind two improving rivals – who both had the benefit of race fitness – at Carlisle in November and produced another good run in defeat on Saturday.

The winner, Editeur Du Gite, had his own way out in front and is improving, but Cheddleton stuck to his task well to finish runner-up having raced exuberantly in the early stages.

Given he got outpaced when the tempo quickened turning for home, it would be wise for connections to step him up in trip next time out, especially as he stuck to his task well having dropped to fourth in the straight.

He has also relished testing conditions over two miles in the past, so quicker conditions over the minimum trip has probably been against him on his two outings this season.

Sky Pirate won this race 12 months ago before winning the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival, and that two-mile contest will be an option for Cheddleton but, if he is stepped up in trip and proves he stays further prior to March, expect to see him contest the Paddy Power Plate run over four furlongs further.

The only downside to Jennie Candlish’s useful handicapper is that he lacks experience in big-field contests. However, he jumps well, and the fact he can race keenly suggests a stronger pace, that he is likely to get in a bigger field, would be advantageous to him.

Race: Second in the Racing Post Gold Cup Handicap Chase (1.50pm, Saturday

Zanza has shown enough in defeat in competitive handicaps on his past three starts to suggest he is capable of landing a valuable contest this season.

Having shaped as though a step up in trip would be beneficial following his effort in the Haldon Gold Cup, Philip Hobbs’ charge stayed on from an unpromising position to finish fifth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on his first attempt over 2m4f.

His exertions there hinted the New Course at Cheltenham, along with more cut in the ground, would suit, and that was the case in the Racing Post Gold Cup on Saturday as he produced a career-best to finish runner-up behind Coole Cody.

He raced towards the rear before attempting to creep into contention in the final half mile, and gradually stayed on in the straight to snatch second. The fact he was slightly hampered prior to two out – he also made mistake at that fence – didn’t help his cause, either.

His jumping has not always been the most polished, and he still has room for improvement in that department, but he has been a consistent performer this season and, similar to Cheddleton, the Paddy Power Plate at the Cheltenham Festival looks an ideal race for him.

He also has the option of the Paddy Power Millionaire Handicap Chase – run over the same course and distance - on New Year’s Day, if he has recovered from his exertions here in time.

Race: Third in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (2.25pm, Saturday

Dan Skelton looks to have another smart prospect on his hands as Ballygrifincottage ran a race full of promise on his debut under rules on Saturday.

A winner of all three of his completed starts in point-to-points, the son of Stowaway jumped nicely throughout and hit the front turning for home before fading into third.

This was his first start for 202 days, so he is entitled to strip fitter for the outing, and the form looks strong as the winner, Blazing Khal, is now the 5-1 ante-post favourite for the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival. The runner-up, Gelino Bello, is also held in high regard and Ballygrifincottage was only beaten just over six lengths.

The Skelton team must think their six-year-old is above average to run him in a Grade Two contest on his first outing, and there should be bundles of improvement to come with this run under his belt.

On this evidence, he looks a shade overpriced at a best-priced 33-1 with Bet365 for the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival, and I would not put you off investing at those odds.