CHELTENHAM DAY 1: The Jumps are back big time with a two-day meeting at Cheltenham, for which Daqman hears strong vibes today for a Gordon Elliottt raider, ridden by Davy Russell.
CHELTENHAM DAY 2: Daqman previewed the second day in Wednesday’s column and recommends you get an early BETDAQ offer for his headlined John McConnell hurdler.
FLAT FINALE BETS: As the Flat fades out, Daqman will bring you win-50 bull’s-eye bets at big odds for some finale flings! Today’s runs at Newbury.
JUMPS: LIVELY CHELTENHAM START
⭕ 1.35 Cheltenham Cheltenham’s back with an opening test of conditional jockeys, which the Fergal O‘Brien stable has won twice in the last three years. Liam Harrison, who was in the plate last year, is now on Castel Gandolfo, but the gelding looks exposed.
Stablemate Eltham Valley (Jack Hogan 6) has won on heavy ground, and who among punters and trainers alike knows the state of the going until race-time?
The Irish attack immediately and No Trouble is raised just 7lb for scoring at Downpatrick, no trouble at all, but winning jockey Kieren Buckley can’t claim today and only conditionals with an allowance have won this race.
Soul Icon is up a stone and a half for a four-timer for Harry Kimber, who has a 26% strike rate this year but is another who can’t claim.
Lively Citizen, who won here last December under Archie Bellamy, and was runner-up in the big-field Imperial Cup in March, may have most to fear from Calico, who has hurdled at a higher level but is down a stone on his first assessment when winning his novice. Calico and No Trouble both drifted this morning, when the money was for Soul Icon.
Nayati appeals, as a winner at a higher level and on all types of ground, though he’s an Aintree and Perth Flat-track winner and yet to prove himself on a hilly way. Another drifter, out to 20.0.
Betdaq Betting Exchange 9.2 Lively Citizen
PLAY ON GORDON’S MUSIC DRIVE
⭕ 2.45 Cheltenham The New One (2012) was the last winner of this Ballymore heat on the glory trail, winning the Ballymore itself and going on to take the International Hurdle three times at the first December meeting here.
The winner is aged five or six and comes from the front of the market, which you need to watch for guidance if there is a going change.
You’ll be checking up on the strong vibes for Music Drive (BETDAQ 3.4), tuned up recently to give Davy Russell a winning Cheltenham start for Gordon Elliott.
⭕ 3.55 Cheltenham Celebrating Coole Cody at Cheltenham! Twelve of his last 13 races have been here, with four chase wins, two on the old course, two on the new. His best chance now at the age of 11 is to catch out those who are not yet fully fit and ready to win.
Coole Cody has scored after a break and, though he is a chaser, his quarter-of-a-million earnings include four strikes over hurdles and he was beaten just a couple of lengths in this race last year.
We need something down the handicap to give us a second string to our bow, and Seddon looks the part for John McConnell, whose No Trouble we talked about in the first race, and with Rexem my preview tip for tomorrow.
Onagatheringstorm was runner-up at this meeting last season and was always a candidate for a wind op but, after a 258-day absence, they’re still using a tongue-tie, as if worried that the op has only partially worked.
BETDAQ value 9.9 Coole Cody, 10 Seddon
FLAT: FLYER HAS PUNCH AT 9.9
⭕ 1.25 and 2.00 Newbury The high draw dominates these divisions of a one-mile novice event for two-year-olds.
Winners were all from stalls 8 to 15; in seven races out of 10 that was three or fewer deep of the stands-side group; in others within five.
Rajasthan (out of 14), who was unable to get a run until too late on his debut, is the one in the 1.25. I’ve asked for even money.
Though it would be unusual for a Hughie Morrison 2yo to score on debut, I’m told to keep my eye on 2,000 Guineas entry Mr Mistoffelees (drawn 12 in the 2.00 race): BETDAQ 19.0
⭕ 4.20 Newbury Bernardo O’Reilly (in 7), winner in 2018 and second last year, is joined by last year’s winner on heavy ground, Louie De Palma (10), in having another go at this sprint handicap.
Spanish Star (3) ran flat in heavy ground when favourite for this last year, but is well drawn today after winning at Goodwood.
I’m tempted by front-runner Punchbowl Flyer (6), soft-heavy winner three times on this course, including in this race in 2020 off a similar mark. Has dropped 19lb after 11 defeats in a row. BETDAQ 9.9.
⭕ 4.38 Doncaster Moving yards (Roger Varian to Jane Chapple-Hyam) and dropping back to this trip brought an immediate response from First Officer when he turned over a gamble on another soft-ground type at Nottingham just over two weeks back. BETDAQ 2.58
DAQMAN’S BETS
1.25 Newbury (win 10, nap)
BET 10pts win RAJASTHAN
1.35 Cheltenham (win 10)
BET 1.25pts win LIVELY CITIZEN
2.00 Newbury (win 20)
BET 1pt win MR MISTOFFELEES
2.45 Cheltenham (win 12)
BET 5pts win MUSIC DRIVE
3.55 Cheltenham (each to win 10)
BET 1pt win COOLE CODY
BET 1pt win SEDDON
4.20 Newbury (win 50)
BULL’S-EYE BET 5.5pts win PUNCHBOWL FLYER
4.38 Doncaster (win 10)
BET 6pts win FIRST OFFICER
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