The 5/1 I took about Smad Place earlier in the week for the BetBright Gold Cup trial at Cheltenham later today looks very solid now we only have six runners in the race and I still make him a half decent bet at around 100/30 now. I backed him in both the Hennessy and the RSA and although he was disappointing at Newbury it turned out not having a run under your belt before that contest was a big disadvantage (Djakadam was behind him that day and that horse was most impressive at Gowran on Thursday.) Smad Place's form with O'Faolains Boy at the last Festival gives him the beating of Many Clouds off levels the way I read the formbook so getting eight pounds off him is very handy. Dynaste looks the only danger and is the best horse in the race but I think this will be a test despite the small field and I think he'll be vulnerable up the hill in any race over more than three miles.
My other bet on an excellent Cheltenham card is Horatio Hornblower in the novice handicap chase that precedes the BetBright. Nick Williams is using Lizzie Kelly and her valuable seven pound claim more and more this season and that 7lbs off his mark of 127 should make him very competitive in this race but there's a couple of nice horses opposing higher up the weights in Stellar Notion and Ned Stark so I'm making this bet an each way one. Horatio jumped really well in his last race and it goes without saying that his trainer is having a very good season.
Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase:
Horatio Hornblower £20ew @ 9/1 (lost)
BetBright Cup Chase:
Smad Place £20ew @ 5/1 (3pl) and £20w @ 100/30 (2nd)
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