Call To Order, Whatduhavtoget among International Friday tips for Cheltenham
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Coral horse racing experts give their Cheltenham tips for December 9, the Friday of The International meeting, which include Call To Order odds and Whatduhavtoget bets.
Call To Order odds hold major claims at Cheltenham
Call To Order has caught the eye on all his three starts his starts this season, so looks to hold major claims of opening his account in the 3m Citipost Handicap Hurdle on the opening day of The International meeting at Cheltenham (14:40).
After finishing a tenderly handled sixth over 2m at Chepstow behind the highly-regarded Geordie Des Champs, who has won twice since to be rated 129, the Jonjo O’Neill trained gelding posted a similar effort at the same venue when third to Elegant Escape.
Call To Order was allotted what looked a lenient opening handicap mark of 120 on the back of those runs, and put in a much improved showing off it when third of 15 to Behind Time in a competitive affair over 2m 5f at this venue.
Step up in trip sure to suit
After racing prominently, the six-year-old made a bad mistake four from home and got outpaced before the last before keeping on well again to be beaten 9 1/4 lengths.
It was an effort which suggested there could be even better to come and the way in which Call To Order finished off the race suggested that he will relish the extra three furlongs of this contest.
Connections are also now fitting the lightly-raced and unexposed son of Presenting with the cheekpieces for the fisrt time, and if they have the desired effect Call To Order odds look handicapped to take all the beating off a featherweight of just 10st 4lb.
Whatduhavtoget bets weighted to strike on handicap debut
Whatduhavtoget can cash-in on what looks a lenient mark to land the 2m Catesby Handicap Hurdle (15:15).
The filly won her sole start in an Irish point, and looked a smart prospect when making a winning debut for trainer Dan Skelton at Uttoxeter back in October after cruising clear to beat Visandi by 13 lengths.
Whatduhavtoget then lost little in defeat last time out when second to La Bague Au Roi in a five-runner affair at Wetherby.
Although no match for the easy five-length winner, the four-year-old stuck to the task well to be beaten five lengths without being unduly knocked about once it was clear she would not be winning.
Wetherby form looks solid
The winner, to whom the selection was conceding 3lb, is also a very highly-regarded and talented sort who has since gone on to land a hot Listed contest at Newbury to be rated 139.
It gives the form a solid look and shows what an impossible task Whatduhavtoget faced in trying to concede weight to a rival that has now won six of her seven starts.
In the circumstances it was a really solid effort, while the assessor looks have have taken a real chance in allotting Whatduhavtoget an opening mark of 125.
That could seriously underestimate her ability, especially given her lightly-raced and progressive profile.
Cheltenham tips for December 9 (Friday of International meeting)
12.20: Emerging Force
12.55: Troubled Soul
13.30: Southfield Theatre
14.05: Cantlow
14.40: Call To Order (NAP)
15.15: Whatduhavtoget (NB)
15.45: Gaitway
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