Tom Scudamore’s best bets for Cheltenham on Tuesday
Ex-jockey and Coral ambassador Tom Scudamore previews all seven races at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday and gives us his best bet for each.
1.30 The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
All week I’ve been looking to oppose Facile Vega but the confidence in the horse from those closest to him is infectious. I wasn’t convinced his defeat last time was down to the fast early pace he set but when I’ve spoken to people close to the horse, they are convinced the defeat was just a blip.
Willie Mullins could have run more horses in this race but the fact Gaelic Warrior and Hunters Yarn have been aimed at other races at the meeting points even more to their belief in Facile Vega.
He was odds-on for the race at Christmas time and yet now because of one defeat you’re getting a decent price. It’s a great race and I do respect Il Etait Temps but I’m now expecting FACILE VEGA to bounce back to form.
2.10 The Arkle Challenge Trophy
I’m really confident JONBON will win. It’s a big week for Aidan Coleman – he’s a classy jockey who’s had a quiet season by his standards – and I really want Jonbon to kick off the week well for him, and I think he will. He’s a top-class horse.
2.50 The Ultima Handicap Chase
Corach Rambler is my best bet of the week. I was really impressed with his win last year, and he’s been aimed for this ever since he ran so well in the Coral Gold Cup.
WHAT. A. FINISH! 🔥
CORACH RAMBLER comes from way back to win the Ultima Handicap Chase. pic.twitter.com/akjnOuUusP
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) March 15, 2022
One at a big price worth a look is Fanion D’Estruval. He’s a graded horse running in a handicap which is what I look for in these Festival handicaps. The days of horses turning up in the handicap chases with a stone in hand are long gone, and horses with graded race form have a good record in this race.
I’ll also pass on a positive mention for Monbeg Genius who will run well at a big price for Jonjo O’Neill Junior, but CORACH RAMBLER is the horse I think will win this.
Read Joe Tizzard’s thoughts on his two Ultima Handicap Chase runners
Constitution Hill will win, it’s as simple as that, and I think I Like To Move It will chase him home.
It’s a race to savour and I expect CONSTITUTION HILL to live up to the hype.
4.10 The David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle
My heart says Honeysuckle but my head says Epatante.
I respect Marie’s Rock but I think this is a better Mares’ Hurdle than the one she won 12 months ago. The fact you have the last two Champion Hurdlers running in the race is proof of that.
I really hope Honeysuckle can do it as the atmosphere at Cheltenham would be incredible, but I think EPATANTE is the most likely winner.
4.50 The Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle
A horse I have a lot of time for in this incredibly competitive race is Sundial. His trainer Padraig Roche won the race last year with Brazil and I do like the way he’s prepared this horse for the race. He’s a big price but there’s plenty of confidence in SUNDIAL and he should go well.
5.30 The National Hunt Challenge Cup
I’m hoping Corach Rambler will become Grand National favourite from around 3pm until 5.45pm when I then think Gaillard Du Mesnil will replace him after winning this impressively.
People have criticised the horse because he’s only won one of his last eight starts, but they’ve all been in Grade One company, apart from the Irish Grand National when he came third. So you know he’s got class and he stays. He came second to Mighty Potter over two and a half miles and there isn’t another horse in this field that could do that. GAILLARD DU MESNIL will prove too good.
Tom
