BetVictor Handicap Chase tips: Side with Upswing from O’Neill entrants
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Upswing odds the value play among BetVictor Handicap Chase tips
Jonjo O’Neill gelding Upswing can go one better than a runner-up spot at Cheltenham’s The Open meeting 12 months ago with victory in the 2016 renewal of the BetVictor Handicap Chase on Saturday (13:50).
Going down 1 1/4 lengths to the re-opposing Sausalito Sunrise when the race was sponsored by the Murphy Group, eight-year-old Upswing is 4lb lighter in the weights than the 2015 edition.
Sausalito Sunrise is now carrying 9lb more in the saddlebags from his success, meaning almost a stone’s worth of difference between him and the selection. That is sufficient to feel Upswing odds say he can reverse the placing.
Another race rival that re-opposes, Shotgun Paddy, also has more on board than the 2015 running when a dead heat fifth, though went on to be second in the Eider Chase at Newcastle to give the form a solid look.
Given every chance at the weights
An early mistake in the Cheltenham contest looked to have played its part, but Upswing caught the eye when staying on to go second on in the run in. The selection seems to have been given every chance by the handicapper to go and have another go at this.
Jockey Aidan Coleman sits on him for the first time competitively and punters should find Upswing odds more than fair. He is weighted to get very well here.
A win or placed percentage of 40 from 20 starts means Upswing is definitely worth betting on during day two of The Open meeting at Cheltenham.
Minella Rocco the danger
When it comes to BetVictor Handicap Chase tips, the main danger to the selection comes from stablemate Minella Rocco, who has Barry Geraghty on board.
This progressive six-year-old has already scored one of this three career wins around Prestbury Park when taking a Listed Amateur Riders Novices Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last year, beating Native River into second.
Minella Rocco returns to the scene of that success on his comeback and, if delivering the type of progress that is expected of him, he will take all the beating.
Stepping up in trip in this, he impressed when coming from last to first and was staying on well in that Cheltenham win. The extra distance should play to Minella Rocco’s strengths.
It looks like it will pay to keep Irish handler O’Neill and his entrants onside here, with the last of his three runners being Beg To Differ.
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