MARV MICHAEL (1.10) can score for Henry De Bromhead in the novice chase at Cheltenham. The six-year-old ended a reasonable timber campaign by hammering Isle Of Sark at Tramore. He relished tackling fences when giving El Champo no quarter on debut at Kilbeggan recently. The gelding won with real authority so he can follow-up for a yard who excel at this meeting.
MILLFORCE (1:45) can grind his rivals down for Gavin Cromwell in the novices’ hurdle. The gelding impressively defeated Arctic Gale on his first timber start at Bellewstown. The five-year-old stayed three miles well when touched-off by Luckinthecity at Cork. The bay is nicely unexposed as a stayer so he can get the better of a high-class field.
BROADWAY BOY (2:20) can star for Nigel Twiston-Davies in the William Hill Chase. The gelding underlined his liking for this track with back-to-back wins in top novice events. He wasn’t disgraced again when third to the talented Grey Dawning in a Warwick Grade 2. Forced to miss the Festival, he signed-off with a tame fifth to Inothewayurthinkin at Aintree. The bay should be back in form so he can get back on track returned to his favourite venue.
The Irish Ace can double-up with COMO PARK (2:55) in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle. The gelding took a while to match his gritty defeat of Tomjackwilliam at Cork in November. He showed signs of a revival when fourth behind Harsh in hotter company at Punchestown. The bay showed that staying was his game when outpointing Mister Beeton at Bellewstown. The five-year-old will have been aimed at this prize and will be primed after a spin on the Flat.
BOTTLER’SECRET (3:30) can justify short odds in the Masteron Hurdle for Gavin Cromwell.
HOTAZHELL (2:40) can scorch to victory for Jessica Harrington in the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster. The colt looked another smart prospect for his top trainer when fourth on debut at Leopardstown. The two-year-old confirmed that impression by hacking-up from Mount Parnassus at the Curragh. He stayed the rise over seven furlongs when brushing aside Swagman in a Leopardstown Group 3. The bay found only the classy Henri Matisse too good returned to the Curragh in the Irish Futurity. He relished tacking a mile when comfortably beating Tennessee Stud in the Beresford back there. There is plenty more to come from this rising star who can land a cracking renewal of this Group 1.
Aidan O’Brien’s BOUNTY (1:30) can earn us a few quid in the Doncaster Stakes. The youngster was an excellent second to Fregada on debut in a typically warm Curragh maiden. He soon put that run to good use when bolting-up from Iceford in another strong event at Naas. The colt clearly has a bright future so he can add a fascinating Listed contest to his growing CV.
VINTAGE CLARETS (2:05) can shade the Century Racing Handicap for Richard Fahey. The speedster cashed-in on a falling mark when narrowly denying Hyperfocus at Chester. He soon continued his revival with a superb second to Alcazan in better company at Ascot.
The gelding resumed winning ways by comfortably dispatching Dakota Gold at Catterick. The five-year-old remains fairly-treated so he can follow-up for his shrewd connections.
MAKE YOU SMILE (3:10) is no laughing matter in the Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury. Hugo Palmer’s charge was fairly well-fancied ahead of his debut over track and trip. He duly delighted his supporters with an emphatic three-length defeat of One More. The colt is a potential Classic contender so he can justify this step-up to Group 2 level.
AL AASY (3:45) can round-off a productive campaign by claiming the St Simon Stakes. William Haggas’ bay was better than ever when landing the Geoffrey Freer here in August. He stayed on song by giving Al Qareem most resistance in the Cumberland Lodge at Ascot. The seven-year-old is admirably consistent so he can go one better in this weaker contest.
ITV SCHEDULE
CHELTENHAM
1:1O The William Hill Top Price Guarantee Novices Limited Handicap Chase 2M 4F
1:45 The William Hill Betting Done Properly Novices Hurdle 3M
2:20 The William Hill Committed To Top Prices Handicap Chase 3M 1F
2:55 The Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle 3M
3:30 The Masterson Holdings Hurdle 2M ½ F
DONCASTER
1:30 The William Hill Prospect Stakes (Listed) 6F
2:05 The Farwell Flat Handicap 5F
2:40 The William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes (group one) 1M
NEWBURY
3:10 The Bet Victor Horris Hill Stakes (Group 3) 7F
3:45 The Bet Victor St Simon Stakes (Group 3) 1M 4F
WHEN TO WATCH: Coverage is on ITV1 from 12.55pm to 4pm.