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One trainer, one jockey, one race and one horse to watch at Cheltenham on Friday

Fanion D'Estruval: promising second last time out
Fanion D'Estruval: promising second last time outCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

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.

Kingswell Theatre: back over the cross-country fences
Kingswell Theatre: back over the cross-country fencesCredit: Edward Whitaker

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.

Top Notch and Daryl Jacob (leading) land the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon
Top Notch (centre): going for Peterborough Chase historyCredit: Steve Davies

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.


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West Country correspondent

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