Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Day 2 Tips
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
Cheltenham 1.10 – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
The Irish look to have another strong hand here and the one I’ve come down on is Henry de Bromhead’s Marv Michael (5/1).
He jumped unbelievably well on his chasing debut at Kilbeggan and if he can get into a similar rhythm again, he will be hard to pass.
I think this horse has more to offer, and he could still be off a nice mark of 128.
Megan’s Tip: Marv Michael WIN
Cheltenham 1.45 – Novices’ Hurdle
Once again it’s lucky we’ve got the Irish supporting these races as without them, I’m not sure who would be running!
I’ve come down on Intense Approach (2/1) for Harry Cobden and John McConnell. He ran nicely enough in the Persian War last time on ground that was a bit too soft, so returning to a sounder surface here will do him no harm at all.
He drops in grade but steps up in trip which I think will suit and I think he’s the one to beat.
Megan’s Tip: Intense Approach WIN
Cheltenham 2.20 – Handicap Chase
I’m going to go with Broadway Boy (3/1 fav) here for Sam and Nigel Twiston-Davies.
He just loves Cheltenham having won three times at the track and finishing second to Flooring Porter on the other occasion. Course form is so crucial at Cheltenham, where horses just seem to improve hand over fist compared to other tracks around the country.
The other one I’ll throw a few quid on is Pepe Le Moko (11/1), who I know connections have always thought a lot of.
He does return up in trip here, but is lightly raced and showed plenty of promise last season. If he’s fully wound up here, then I could see him running really well.
The last time we saw him at Kempton, he made a really bad mistake at the last which virtually stopped him and he just cantered over the line.
He’s been dropped a pound for that and he looks a nice each-way bet.
Megan’s Tip: Broadway Boy WIN, Pepe Le Moko EW
Cheltenham 3.30 – Masterson Hurdle
The favourite here is Gavin Cromwell’s Bottler’secret (10/11), who hasn’t run on ground this quick so it will be interesting to see how he handles it. He has run really well at the top level, including when second at Punchestown at the end of last season. On that form, he is going to take plenty of beating.
Givemefive (3/1) looks his biggest danger. He wasn’t quite right when fourth behind Bottler’secret at Fairyhouse last season, but the team think they’ve got him spot on for this after a good run on the Flat at Haydock last month.
I wouldn’t put anyone off a forecast with those two.
Megan’s Tip: Bottler’secret WIN
Newbury 3.10 – Horris Hill Stakes
I’m going to go with Benevento (11/4) here.
He was a nice winner at Doncaster last time in the Flying Scotsman where he looked better for the step up to seven furlongs which he gets again here.
He’s a horse that I think will just keep on improving and I like his chances.
As an each-way play, I’ll take Make You Smile (5/1), who might have only run once but won over course and distance on heavy ground. He was pretty impressive that day and given they are pitching him into this sort of grade so early in his career, they clearly hold him in high regard.
Megan’s Tip: Benevento WIN, Make You Smile EW
Newbury 3.45 – St Simon Stakes
Al Aasy (10/11 fav) will be a short price to win this and that looks justified.
Jim Crowley being back onboard is a massive positive as he’s a horse that takes some getting used to and although he can throw in a bit of a stinker, he’s a very good horse when he’s right.
Cieren Fallon just left him with a bit too much to do at Ascot last time and I think Jim being back on is a big plus to Al Aasy’s chances.
He should be okay on soft ground and looks a short-priced favourite worth supporting.
Megan’s Tip: Al Aasy WIN
Doncaster 2.40 – Futurity Trophy Stakes
This is not an easy Group 1 to work out, that’s for sure!
I’m throwing in Nebras (14/1) who I think is a big price.
He’s only run once, but I was really impressed with him at Newmarket. He showed signs of immaturity but when the penny dropped, he absolutely flew home.
He should be fine on soft ground and I really like his chances of being in the shake-up.
At the top of the market, Delacroix (7/2) was good in the Autumn Stakes last time, but he looks a horse that will need further than this in time, and I wonder if he might be a bit outpaced over this mile test.
Wimbledon Hawkeye (5/2 fav) is rightly favourite in my opinion. He’s improving all the time and is going the right way.
I do really like Nebras though and he’s my selection.
Megan’s Tip: Nebras EW
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation