At The Races tipster Hugh Taylor has three choices on the third day of the Cheltenham Pageant, coming within the Pertemps Closing and Plate Handicap Chase.
Le Milos (Pertemps Closing – 2.10pm)
LE MILOS, higher recognised as a cultured performer over fences, has been given an actual probability by the handicapper and must be on the shortlist.
He progressed into a sensible staying chaser after becoming a member of Dan Skelton final season, profitable the Coral Gold Cup off a mark of 146 on simply his second begin.
On his fourth and ultimate begin of the season he was one of many fancied runners within the Grand Nationwide, however after transferring into fifth rounding the house flip he pale, stamina points the plain conclusion having travelled nicely for a good distance.
He was desperately weak available in the market when qualifying for this race at Market Rasen in March (went from odds on to an SP of 9-4), having reportedly had surgical procedure within the low season, however that was in all probability a shrewd piece of putting from connections, needing to complete in entrance of solely certainly one of his 4 rivals to qualify for this ultimate, which he duly achieved in ending a well-held third.
He was once more friendless available in the market (and never ridden by Harry Skelton) when making little influence from the rear over an insufficient journey at Ascot in February, once more not given a tough time when overwhelmed. His coach acknowledged each earlier than and after that contest that he would count on him to enhance considerably for the run.
The handicapper’s subsequent choice to drop him 4lb appears a courageous one, as a result of it is in all probability untimely to means that he is a vastly inferior performer over hurdles in comparison with fences. His final begin over the smaller obstacles got here in February 2020, which is earlier than he had wind surgical procedure, in addition to the following secure change.
He appears the category performer within the race but carries simply 11-02, and it should not be shocking if – like Langer Dan on Wednesday – he leaves his two earlier performances this season nicely behind right here.
The opposite horse I like is GABBYS CROSS and he additionally appears price backing on the premise of being a helpful chaser who appears nicely handicapped over hurdles.
The Irish handicapper allowed him to revert to his hurdles mark from the 2020-21 season when runner-up on his final two begins, and on every event, he was unfortunate to run right into a notably well-handicapped rival, shaping as if a stronger gallop would have suited on the second of these two runs.
He is racing off a 10lb increased mark right here, however he ran a number of huge races off a mark 10lb increased nonetheless over fences final 12 months, and having been stored again for this race since qualifying in November, he appears an attention-grabbing contender for an in-form yard.
Theatre Man (Plate Handicap Chase – 4.10pm)
THEATRE MAN he confirmed much-improved kind at Cheltenham final time, and with the possible additional take a look at of stamina below the circumstances, he appears to have sturdy claims within the Trustatrader Plate Handicap Chase (Cheltenham 4.10).
He ran nicely on his first two begins over fences at Newbury, maybe spoiling his probability by racing too keenly over 3m on the second event.
Dropped to 2m4f right here final time, he usually jumped very soundly, however wasn’t fluent on the fourth final and located himself outpaced as the sphere picked up velocity down the hill.
He was three or 4 lengths adrift of the primary 4 early within the straight and seemingly not going fairly in addition to that quartet, and was round eight lengths behind the chief in fourth leaping the final, however got here up the hill in nice fashion to complete second behind Ginnys Future.
Theatre Man is simply 3lb increased right here and on the proof of that newest run the better emphasis on stamina possible right here on what appears certain to be extra testing floor needs to be very a lot in his favour; he gained eased down at Kempton final 12 months over hurdles on the deepest floor he has encountered so far.
Hugh Taylor’s greatest bets (1-5 factors):
Le Milos (Pertemps Closing) – 1pt win (10-1 normal)
Gabbys Cross (Pertemps Closing) – 1pt win (8-1 normal)
Theatre Man (Plate Handicap Chase) – 1pt win (4-1 normal)