Racing returns to the home of jumping this weekend and Racing Post tipster Robbie Wilders dishes out his four best bets on the second day of Cheltenham's Showcase meeting.
1.15 Cheltenham - Haddex Des Obeaux @ 3/1
2.25 Cheltenham - Amirite @ 6/1
2.25 Cheltenham - Lord Accord @ 5/1
3.35 Cheltenham - Butch @ 9/2
Saturday's card at Cheltenham kicks off with a competitive 2m handicap chase, but HADDEX DES OBEAUX is expected to blow this apart off a mark of 146.
This contest has been landed by many future top-class chasers in recent years (Fox Norton, Rouge Vif and Saint Calvados) and we can expect much more this season from Haddex Des Obeaux, who is the same age as those three were when winning this race.
The six-year-old hacked up by 19-lengths in a four-runner Warwick handicap chase in January and the form has worked out spectacularly.
The three in behind Haddex Des Obeaux each won on their next start and, such was the impression the winner created, I expected him to give Jonbon a real race in the Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices' Chase next time. The selection was a non-runner in that, but crucially he hasn't blown his handicap mark.
With the news that two-time Champion Chase winner Energumene has been ruled out for that Grade 1 in March, it is not beyond the realms of possibility he emerges as a dark horse for that later in the season.
Gary Moore has an excellent record with unearthing similar types and Haddex Des Obeaux, a bold front-running jumper who is versatile regarding ground conditions, has the ideal racing style for this course.
Haddex Des Obeaux @ 3/1 - 2pts win
I'm going in two-handed for the 3m1f handicap chase with LORD ACCORD and AMIRITE.
Lord Accord landed this last year off a 1lb higher mark and this is typically the time of year to catch him. He has a preference for decent ground and warmed up for this with a spin over hurdles at Warwick this month, just as he did last season.
The chases he has contested over the last year have been of a higher standard than this (Coral Gold Cup, Kim Muir and Scottish National), while he ran a belter in the other behind the well-treated expertly ridden Frodon in the Badger Beer at Wincanton last November.
As an eight-year-old embarking on his third season over fences, there should be more to come from him.
Amirite is a second-season chaser and was also running in strong company last term. It is interesting Henry de Bromhead is making the journey over with him and a mark of 142 could undersell his ability.
Amirite was backed into favouritism for the Irish Grand National when last seen but simply didn't get home over the marathon distance on soft ground. He has registered plenty of solid efforts on a decent surface and is only seven, so we can also expect further improvement.
BUTCH will need to be on his A-game to give weight to Irish raiders Antrim Coast and Reverend Hubert, but he can do so.
The form of his dominant front-running success from Destroytheevidence in a Southwell novice hurdle 25 days ago was franked by the winner landing a Kempton novice easily next time.
That was the first time we've seen Butch at a staying trip and he relished it, notching a lifetime best on Racing Post Ratings.
He has improved his RPR with each start over hurdles and natural progression for his first run back will make him tough to beat for Olly Murphy, who has a decent chasing prospect on his hands.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
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