3:08 Kelso – Enlighten 14/1 EW
3:15 Cheltenham – Champagne Court 14/1 EW (5 places)
Enlighten
Having shown a fair amount of promise in bumpers, including when winning at this track, he didn’t quite live up to expectations when sent hurdling last term but he still has time on his side.
He finished 3rd behind Seddon on debut before finishing 6th in a hot bumper at Ayr, won by Sebastopol; the 1st-3rd and the 5th are now rated 142, 125, 134 and 133 respectively.
He ran another fine race to finish 4th at Wetherby behind some useful types after an absence (was well supported that day – 14/1 into 9/2) before finally getting off the mark at Kelso, making all to beat the reopposing Big Bad Bear.
His debut over hurdles wasn’t without promise, but he was far too keen in front and gave himself no chance. His most promising effort to date came when 4th of 7 behind Ebony Jewel (126), First Lord De Cuet (126) and The Newest One (117); he was never really put into the race but he ran on nicely in the closing stages.
You can put a line through his handicap debut; the ground was bottomless and more than half the field finished tailed off. Interesting, he’s been dropped 7lbs for that run which seems a lot given the conditions and the fact that he’s still lightly raced.
Down to 107 on good ground, conditions are much more in his favour this time around.
Mick Easterby doesn’t bring many to Kelso; he’s only had 8 runners here in just 5 years. Those 8 have form figures of: 54132215
Furthermore, the trainer has a 23% S/R in handicap hurdles here (all time, A/E 1.81). He brings this fella, his only runner on the card, on the 6 and a half hour round trip.
While he’s yet to show his true ability over timber, conditions look spot on back on quick ground at the course where he recorded his only win to date.
Champagne Court
competitive Pertemps qualifier where 18 runners are currently set to run – a stark contrast from this race last year when only 8 lined up.
Champagne Court made up into a smart novice chaser last term, reaching a mark of 143 after back to back wins at Sandown and Plumpton. Heavy ground counted against in when at Cheltenham on Trials Day and at the Festival (likes it good, ground on Friday was good/good to soft in places on the hurdles course, based on the times), but he still ran with great credit to finish 5th and 8th respectively in very competitive races.
While he is rated 141 over fences, he’s only rated 134 over hurdles and while I’m not normally keen on backing a horse who will almost certainly go chasing after this, a good performance here should do his chase mark no harm.
It’s also important to note that he ran very well over hurdles on his seasonal reappearance last term when 2nd in the Silver Trophy which augurs well for him here. He was well backed that day too; 16/1 into 7/1
He also boasts good form at Cheltenham, having finished 4th on his rules debut in a bumper at this meeting 2 years ago, and he filled the same position in the 2019 Martin Pipe when staying on really well.
He’s completely unexposed over 3 miles and I think the step up in trip should suit.
overandclear.com 