MATT MORRIS EXCLUSIVE WEEKEND TIPS
Matt Morris is back this weekend with 3 selections including a 22/1 chance at Cheltenham.
12:35 CHELTENHAM
JCB TRIUMPH TRIAL JUVENILE HURDLE (REGISTERED AS THE PRESTBURY JUVENILE HURDLE) (GRADE 2) (GBB RACE)
SECRET FORCE - 2/1
This is always a tricky race to assess, with plenty of talented types still unexposed over hurdles. Among several with strong claims,I like the chances of SECRET FORCE, representing the excellent team of Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue.
This son of Frankel showed plenty of ability on the flat, notably winning a heavy ground handicap at Listowel, before making a striking hurdles debut at Punchestown. He responded impressively when asked to quicken, stretching clear to win by six and a half lengths, beating a rival who had already won twice. The way he finished suggests this track will play to his strengths, and he should have no trouble handling testing ground. He also receives a handy bit of weight from a couple of key rivals. He looks an exciting prospect for the season ahead and is well worth following, even if unsuccessful here.
10
2:27 UTTOXETER
CHRIS, SUE AND GAIL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION NOVICES' HURDLE (GBB RACE)
JASMINE D'AIRY - 8/15
Once again we have a race full of strong contenders, but at the prices DE TEMPS EN TEMPS looks the value and can be supported each way with four places on offer.
He’s a horse on the up and showed a determined attitude to fend off a Sean Bowen ridden rival here last month. That opponent had previously bolted up at Uttoxeter, so the form has a solid look to it. The way De Temps En Temps hit the line suggests today’s extra furlong should pose no problems.
Prior to his Cheltenham win, he was successful at Uttoxeter in a race that has worked out extremely well. He beat Jamie Snowden’s Tiptoptim, who had won by eleven lengths beforehand, has since won by seven, and is now heading for the Challow Hurdle.
He may be ideally suited to better ground, but he has solid form on soft, so conditions shouldn’t pose any real concern. This is his handicap debut, and he looks to have a fair mark. At a big price, he’s well worth chancing.
7
3:30 CHELTENHAM
PADDY POWER INTERMEDIATE HANDICAP HURDLE
DE TEMPS EN TEMPS - 12/1
Harry Derham’s daughter of Authorized sets a clear standard in this field and will be very hard to beat if she’s ready to roll after her break. She produced a smart effort when finishing second at Ffos Las, coming home three lengths ahead of a rival who has since won twice. She then bolted up by a remarkable twenty-four lengths at Plumpton, putting Jamie Snowden’s She Is For Me Boys to the sword, form that has aged extremely well, with that mare winning her next three starts, most recently by five and a half lengths at Kempton.
Useful claimer Ben Sutton takes the ride, and with by far the strongest form on offer, odds of around 6/4 look more than fair. It would be a bitter disappointment if she is turned over here.
7