Newsboy is backing King Turgeon, to win the Premier Handicap Chase at Cheltenham and he fancies his Nap, Strackan, to deliver in the 3m Handicap Hurdle at Bangor, two of six races live on ITV
KING TURGEON (1.50) can reign over Chianti Classico as the pair of Grand National candidates duel at Cheltenham on Friday.
The David Pipe-trained staying chaser has come of age this term, winning both starts and rising more than a stone in the handicap as a result.
He coasted to victory over 3m2f at Chepstow in October then really took to Grand National fences when landing the Grand Sefton Chase in November.
His current 133 rating is unlikely to guarantee him a start in the 2025 Grand National but he can take another step towards that goal in the Premier Handicap Chase, helped by getting 24lb from last season’s Ultima Handicap Chase winner.
The Twiston-Davies stable has a 25 percent strike rate at Cheltenham this season and can be among the winners again with TORN AND FRAYED (2.25, nb).
The 10-year-old won a Grade 3 handicap chase over course and distance in January 2022 but was unable to match that form subsequently until he scored at Warwick last month.
He is now back on his previous winning mark and can go in again in the Veterans race.
The French can land another edition of the Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Chase with ICEO MADRIK (3.00).
David Cottin won the prize four years ago with Easysland and even though his latest challenger is out of the handicap in a race which also includes the likes of Delta Work, Fakir d’Oudairies and Vanillier, his superior cross-country expertise can be invaluable.
With the ground still in his favour, BHALOO (3.35) can follow up an Ascot victory on his chasing debut with the move up to 3m likely to suit.
At Bangor, STRACKAN (2.40, NAP) can strike for Henry Daly and David Bass in the 3m handicap hurdle, following up an all-the-way victory at Uttoxeter last time.
Another local trainer, Donald McCain, can be on the mark with SKUNA BAY (2.05) in the maiden hurdle.
FRIDAY’S SELECTIONS
DONCASTER
11.40 BELFRINA
12.17 THE KNIPHAND
12.50 COURT CIAN
1.25 SANTOS BLUE
1.57 ENVIOUS EDITOR
2.32 MISS TABITHA
3.07 BATHGATE
CHELTENHAM
12.10 THAT’S NICE
12.40 CALDWELL POTTER
1.15 MEDIA NARANJA
1.50 KING TURGEON
2.25 TORN AND FRAYED (NB)
3.00 ICEO MADRIK
3.35 BHALOO
BANGOR
12.25 RISK D’ARGENT
1.00 EXCELERO
1.35 NEW FOUND FAME
2.05 SKUNA BAY
2.40 STRACKAN (NAP)
3.15 SHERMINATOR
SOUTHWELL
4.15 BORN TOO RUN
4.45 ELIGIBLE
5.15 PROFIT STREET
5.45 CLOCKMAKER
6.15 COMMANDER ATKINSON
6.45 REBEL STAR
7.15 SMOOTH SILESIE
7.45 SHAKA
8.15 MONSIEUR BEAULIEU
DOUBLE – STRACKAN & TORN AND FRAYED
