Cheltenham Saturday

1.50 Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase 2m 4f 127yds

Some Scope has a much shorter trip to contend with than he did when winning the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby last month.

He really impressed with how he jumped and travelled there, and he was value for much more than the winning margin having been closed down on the run-in after taking the race by the scruff of the neck early in the straight.

The style of that win suggested he would cope with this sharper test, and he’s worth chancing from what still appears to be a lenient mark.

Ginny’s Destiny is the main threat, assuming a line can be drawn under a lacklustre run in the Peterborough Chase, but the market rather assumes that he will bounce back, and there are enough questions about his current well-being to sway me.

2.25 Betfair Cotswold Chase (Grade 2) 3m 1f 56yds

L’Homme Presse should prove too good for his rivals in the Cotswold Chase having shaped very well despite being slightly in need of the run in the King George.

A fine fourth to Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup here in March, he seems as good as ever and this track suits him a little better than Kempton.

He is unpenalised for his win in the Fleur de Lys Chase at Lingfield last year whereas main rival Gentlemansgame hasn’t won since taking the Charlie Hall Chase 15 months ago but has to shoulder a 6lb penalty for that success.

3.35 Betfair Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 7f 213yds

Strong Leader has undergone wind surgery (cauterised palate) since running poorly behind Crambo in the Long Walk Hurdle and he could well bounce back, particularly if Cheltenham misses the scattered showers expected over the weekend.

All the same, he’s coming back soon enough after an issue was identified and one could have been keener on him if his comeback was delayed longer.

Crambo won gamely at Ascot and could progress from that, but there is a small worry that he failed to show his form after Christmas last season, including in the Stayers’ Hurdle over course and distance.

That was his fourth run of the season and his boiling over in the preliminaries might have something to do with the atmosphere rather than just the track.

He’s hard to support with confidence, and perhaps this is the time to back Gowel Road, who probably won’t win a Stayers’ but is ultra-reliable and ideally suited by three miles at this track.

He ran a cracker when second to Lucky Place in the Relkeel here last time and will benefit from the return to further.

The likelihood of him running his race compared to his main rivals makes him the bet.

Doncaster Saturday

1.30 Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase

2m 78yds

Calico is back on the same mark as when runner-up in this race 12 months ago, and much better off with Nells Son, who was back in fourth on that occasion. He had excuses for a below-par run last time when going without the cheekpieces he needs these days and was a winner at Cheltenham in October. He tends to go well at this track and at this time of year and was also bouncing back from a modest Cheltenham run when second in last year’s contest.

2.05 Pertemps Network River Don Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 3m 84yds

Western Knight has been raw to date over hurdles but has progressed with each run, doing plenty wrong when beating a subsequent winner at Uttoxeter on hurdles bow before showing improved form and a good attitude to beat the 142-rated chaser Excello at Ascot. He was again less than fluent when runner-up in the Grade 2 Bristol Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham on his first try at three miles and he will do better still when polishing up his jumping as he surely will with further experience. As a winner of a Class 2 hurdle he must concede 3lb to his rivals and this does look competitive, but he shades the verdict narrowly given his scope for improvement.

2.40 Virgin Bet Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 2)

3m 84yds

Della Casa Lunga was a standout in the paddock before beating Holly Hartingo comfortably at Kempton last month, and while this is harder than the listed hurdle she was due to contest at Warwick’s abandoned meeting, she still appeals as a bit of value getting weight from classy pair Kateira and Jetara.

Kateira was a handicap winner off 136 at Aintree in April while Della Casa Lunga’s Kempton victory came from a BHA mark of 134. She is arguably a stronger stayer at this trip than Kateira, too, and in receipt of 4lb, can take the scalp of that useful mare.

Jetara wears cheekpieces for the first time which is a slight concern, as is the fact that the maiden win on the flat in November was Jessica Harrington’s last success. She is capable of throwing a spanner in the works, but I’m confident the selection offers a little more value.

3.15 Virgin Bet Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase 2m 7f 214yds

Forward Plan is fast becoming a cliff horse, but he repaid each-way support again when third behind Charlie Uberalles here last month and is effectively 9lb lower with the promising Chad Bament taking 10lb off his back. That’s sometimes a spurious argument as inexperienced claimers are given a big allowance for a reason, but Forward Plan is such a straightforward ride that I’m happy to make the case for him on that basis. He tends to need a run after a long break, but otherwise has been tremendously consistent since going handicapping, and his form figures in handicaps when turned out within six months of a previous run are 2212113212133. As such, it’s very hard not to keep the faith.

Recommended:

Some Scope 1.50 Cheltenham – 1pt e/w @ 11/1 (Bet365, 10/1 BetFred – 4 place)

Gowel Road 3.35 Cheltenham – 1pt win 4/1 (Bet365, 7/2 general)

Della Casa Lunga 2.40 Doncaster – 1pt win 7/1 (Bet365, 6/1 general)

Forward Plan 3.15 Doncaster – 1pt e/w 6/1 (Bet365, Coral – 5 places)