JUNIOR TO ROLE BACK THE YEARS

Any Cheltenham card is bound to throw up some decent races that provide some top quality action and today's offerings should be no exception. One race that looks exciting is the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (2:40). Despite the absence of cross country stalwart Balthazar King, the race still has some decent horses in it. One of these is UNCLE JUNIOR. Even though his last victory came in this race two years ago, he still showed he has some ability when he finished a tight second behind Balthazar King over the course last time out. A repeat performance will see Willie Mullins' 13 year-old go very close once again. A horse who could go well at a price is PASQUINI ROUGE. He ran well in this race last year and good course experience is vital for these races. Jockey Jan Faltejsek will be hoping he can work his cross country magic like he does aboard Orphee Dee Blins so often in the Velka Pardubicka. Favourite Big Shu has an obvious chance but may want the ground a little bit softer than today's conditions.

Uncle Junior

Pasquini Rouge (orange and blue silks)

1:40- This race could well be between Lough Kent and VINTAGE VINNIE. Lough Kent's second behind stablemate Theinval was hardly franked when the latter was well beaten at Sandown last week. He's also proven to be a tricky customer so may find it difficult to give Rebecca Curtis' raider 16 pounds. Vintage Vinnie has looked like a non stayer in recent runs; the return to a shorter trip and slightly better ground may prove enough to see him victorious today.

2:10- bet365 Gold Cup winner Hadrian's Approach may well come on for today's run, as may COWARDS CLOSE. But with the irresistible form messrs Nicholls and Twiston Davies are in, he cannot be ignored. Another featherweight who should go extremely well is THE OULD LAD, who could well be capable of completing the hat-trick.

3:15- Big Easy deserves to be favourite for this but he faces some stiff challenges today, ULZANA'S RAID being one of them. He won impressively at the course last time out and he stays. Alan King's inmate looks well capable of winning his fourth race in a row.

3:45- This race could well feature some smart novices. MILES TO MEMPHIS should have a better chance on a sounder surface; providing his disappointing Leicester third on botttomless ground when odds-on hasn't taken too much out of him, he could be a big player today. He looked a useful prospect up until that recent defeat. SOME PLAN looked fairly smart when winning at Southwell recently and he too is worth his chance. Padge and Clondaw Banker also warrant respect. A nice race, as so many renewals of this are.


Enjoy your Friday


Happy Punting!