ENVOI ALLEN LANDS WEDNESDAY NAP: SHAMROCK landed his NAP Envoi Allen at 8/11 in the opening Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival yesterday. Can he follow up today?
On a day that looked fairly obvious in terms of the hot favourites before racing, it turned out to be far from it – so it was a relief to land the nap with Envoi Allen at 8/11 in the opener.
He still had plenty of ground to make up from two out but but has a big engine and whilst he’s never probably going to be a flashy 10 length winner, in the end he won it nicely under Davy Russell to remain unbeaten.
Defi Du Seuil looked to have the Champion Chase at his mercy after the late defection of Chacun Pour Soi but ran as flat as a pancake and Tiger Roll got a bit stuck in the mud in his attempt to win the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase for the third time.
Cheltenham will have structural engineers on standby in case Faugheen wins the opener and he has been well backed in the morning BETDAQ market. Colleague DAQMAN has made a good case for him raising the roof and owner Rich Ricci made very clear earlier in the week that he was running as he had a great chance rather than any sentimental journey.
Samcro would also be a popular winner for Ireland but the UK horses Itchy Feet and Mister Fisher are both seeking hat-tricks and whilst it looks a belter of an opener there’s no bet for me.
For the nap I’m sticking with A Plus Tard in the Ryanair Chase at 2.50pm.
Rachael Blackmore got a great tune out of him at Leopardstown over Christmas when he won a Grade 1 – beating yesterday’s absentee Chacun Pour Soi comprehensively.
He stormed home at the Festival last year to win the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase by 16 lengths and now very much deserves his place at the top table.
Min hasn’t won yet at Cheltenham and at nine he might be vulnerable against the selection whilst last year’s winner Frodon comes into this on the back of winning the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton. His heroics in this last year were fantastic but it looks a tougher renewal this time around.
SHAMROCK’S BETS:
NAP: A Plus Tard (2.50 Cheltenham)
2020 NAPS: 22/45 +66.50 (to a 10 unit daily level stake)
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