Jake Price is a horse racing expert specialising in National Hunt selections, news, and analysis. Follow @JakePriceRacing on X and find tips at Betting Tips Today
Weekend Racing Tips at Cheltenham and Navan | Jake Price
Saturday Racing Tips at Cheltenham and Navan | Jake Price
This doesn’t look a vintage Handicap Hurdle, and I’m very strong on the chances of Doyen Quest who ran a belter on his last start.
This six-year-old progressed nicely in the second half of last season, winning his maiden at Taunton before then beating Steel Ally (137) in a Handicap Hurdle at Newbury. Stepping up in trip to 2m4½f at Cheltenham in April he then stayed on strongly to win off a mark of 119.
Returning to action in the Silver Trophy last month, he ran a cracker for second place – just finding the fitter Josh The Boss (131) too good. That form is working out strongly now however, and the step up in trip to 3m should bring out further improvement. His rating of 125 still looks very exploitable.
The Troytown is usually a race ran on soft ground, but this year the surface is going to be much quicker, which probably suits American Mike more than most.
This seven-year-old loves Navan with a record of 12411 at the track, including when winning his Beginners Chase on this card exactly 12 months ago – fending off eventual Brown Advisory winner Fact To File. He also won a Grade Two Novice Chase at the track in February, before finding Cheltenham and Punchestown Grade One’s too hot.
Those defeats mean he now finds himself on a mark of 145 however, which looks very lenient on his Handicap debut.
I’d be very keen on the chances of Under Control in the Greatwood this year, as I don’t think she was right at any point last season. One at a massive price who could run a big race into the frame though is Black Poppy.
This Kerry Lee eight-year-old had his season cut short last year, finishing second at Cheltenham in October before then finishing a good fourth in the Grade One Christmas Hurdle at Kempton despite bleeding.
That kept him off the track until the Summer Hurdle where he ran well for a long way when finishing fifth, but back from another break he should really appreciate the good ground and a strong pace to aim at. I could certainly see him hitting the frame.