One trainer, one jockey, one race and one horse to watch at Cheltenham on Friday
One trainer
Venetia Williams has had just three winners in the last five seasons at Cheltenham but could enjoy a big Friday, especially with Fanion D'Estruval in the Fitzdares Club Loves The Peterborough Chase (1.50).
The five-year-old returns to this track after a highly promising second here off a big weight in a handicap and is interesting now tested at Graded level and upped in distance.
Williams runs Commodore, another recent runner-up, in the Grade 3 Unibet Handicap Chase (2.25). The eight-year-old was beaten just half a length at Haydock last time and has a good chance again despite a 6lb rise.
The Herefordshire trainer's other Cheltenham runner is Fally Jem, who is having her first start since wind surgery in the CF Roberts Electrical & Mechanical Services Mares' Handicap Chase (1.15).
One jockey
Tom Scudamore has continued his excellent form since his Ladbrokes Trophy success on Cloth Cap and has a number of leading chances at Cheltenham on Friday.
He is reunited with veteran Kingswell Theatre in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (3.00). The pair will be looking to complete a rare double following their shock win at the November meeting last time.
In the Peterborough Chase (1.50) he partners Clondaw Castle for the first time with regular rider Johnny Burke injured.
Make Me A Believer (11.30), Hold The Note (12.05) and Zamani (12.40) look to be key contenders for Scudamore in the first three races, while the day could get even better with Sweet Adare (1.15) and Broughtons Admiral (3.35).
One horse
Top Notch is looking to complete a somewhat bizarre Peterborough Chase treble – where all three wins would have come at different racecourses.
The Nicky Henderson-trained nine-year-old captured the Grade 2 prize when it was moved to Taunton in 2017, while he also won it at Huntingdon, the race's traditional home, last season.
With Top Notch boasting good form at Cheltenham, with two seconds at the festival, being the third highest-rated in the field and with a history of going well fresh, he has a good chance of victory.
One race
The Citipost Handicap Hurdle (3.35) is made up of established stayers and hurdlers on the rise and, ultimately, looks a tricky contest to solve.
Unowhatimeanharry, Agrapart, Mohaayed and Dell' Arca represent some of the older contenders who come here in good form, while Come On Teddy and On The Blind Side are runners with plenty of improvement to come.
Watch live races through the Racing Post website. Log in to your bookmaker account via the bookmaker button at the top of the page and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here
Published on inNews
Last updated
- Join Racing Post Members' Club for the very best in racing journalism - including Patrick Mullins' unmissable trip to see Gordon Elliott
- Join the same team as Ryan Moore, Harry Cobden and other top jockeys with 50% off Racing Post Members' Club
- Racing Post Members' Club: 50% off your first three months
- 'It’s really exciting we can connect Wentworth's story to Stubbs' - last chance to catch master painter's homecoming
- The jumps season is getting into full swing - and now is the perfect time to join Racing Post Members' Club with 50% off
- Join Racing Post Members' Club for the very best in racing journalism - including Patrick Mullins' unmissable trip to see Gordon Elliott
- Join the same team as Ryan Moore, Harry Cobden and other top jockeys with 50% off Racing Post Members' Club
- Racing Post Members' Club: 50% off your first three months
- 'It’s really exciting we can connect Wentworth's story to Stubbs' - last chance to catch master painter's homecoming
- The jumps season is getting into full swing - and now is the perfect time to join Racing Post Members' Club with 50% off