Russian to be victorious in Cheltenham war
Russian War is very useful on his day and has to be of serious interest at 11/2 now switched back to hurdles in the 3.20 at Cheltenham today.
Gordon Elliott’s charge hasn’t been at his best over fences of late, but won over the smaller obstacles at this meeting last year before progressing throughout the season and landing a listed handicap hurdle at Aintree.
The eight-year-old has gone up a stone in the weights as a result, but only just ever does enough to win and may be capable of even better this time round.
He has a high cruising speed and has to be delivered at the last possible moment and should get the strong pace he needs to be seen at his best this afternoon with the likes of Raslan and Buena Vista in the line-up.
Paul Carberry, who gets on particularly well with him, is once again back in the saddle and with conditions absolutely ideal he looks an each-way steal.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts each-way Russian War (11/2 generally available – BOG firms)
15/2 Quattrocento fancied to bounce back
Quattrocento hasn’t been in the best of form at late but looks worth chancing at 15/2 to bounce back to form in the 5.05 at Cheltenham.
Peter Bowen’s gelding landed this contest back in 2010 on back of some poor efforts, and arrives here with a similar profile this time round.
He easily beat Swing Bill by six lengths that day off a mark of 113 and is now only 5lb higher on a mark of 118 having been cut some slack by the handicapper.
Significantly connections have once again booked the same top amateur who guided him to victory, and there is little doubt that at his best he would take all the beating.
Today’s renewal doesn’t look as a strong as the one in 2010 and I am sure that his shrewd handler will have had this race in mind for some time and have him spot on this afternoon.
At 15/2 he makes plenty of each-way appeal.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Quattrocento (15/2 Victor Chandler – BOG, Sky Bet)
