Final Cheltenham Places Up For Grabs At Kempton

A few final places at the Cheltenham Festival could be booked this weekend with some decent action but it is an old timer that gets the nod in the big betting heat of the day at Kempton.

Go to the Theatre once more
Theatre Guide won the valuable handicap chase at Kempton in 2016 and was third last year and at the very least is a good each-way play again this time around at 16/1.

Colin Tizzard’s charge was just outclassed in much better company behind Definitly Red last time out but this drop in grade can help him trouble the judge again.

This will be Theatre Guide’s third run of the season and he is now emerging from a stable in much better form..

..than when he ran previously and his penultimate effort wasn’t a bad showing at all. In between his first and second run he did undergo a wind operation but after an early mistake at Cheltenham that gave him no chance last time, it was impossible to say what impact that had on him but the extra time since should be a help and he can certainly outrun his odds on a track that he seems to enjoy.

Nicholls to the double at Kempton
It dioesn’t look to be the strongest of cards at Kempton on Saturday afternoon but Paul Nicholls looks to have the ammunition to leave with a double. Mont Des Avaloirs is fitted with a hood for the first time, presumably in the hope that he will settle a bit better and if he does, this would look a winnable opportunity.

The five-year-old went a fair gallop in the Tolworth Hurdle last time and may have just paid the price for that on very testing conditions..

..but on a nicer surface and in a lower class of race this afternoon, he may just be able to come out on top in the colours of Johnny de la Hey.

The same connections will be hopeful of landing the bumper too with five-year-old Danny Kirwan who made plenty of money after winning a point-to-point before Christmas at Lisronagh.

Hourigan can beat the Drum
BoyleSports ambassador Robbie Power can bag a second winner of the week when partnering Drumacoo in the Tommy Carberry Handicap Hurdle today at Fairyhouse.

Although beaten a long way at Navan before Christmas, it wasn’t a bad effort by Drumacoo on that occasion..

..and the winner has gone on to fly up the ratings since then so it may work out to be a better race than initially thought.

Last time out at Fairyhouse Drumacoo definitely was unlucky not to win over fences and now that he reverts to hurdles, where he is rated lower, he should take full advantage in a race that doesn’t appear to be the strongest of its kind.

Recommended Bets:
Theatre Guide (16/1) – 3.35 Kempton
Mont Des Avaloirs (9/4) – 3.00 Kempton
Drumacoo (4/1) – 2.55 Fairyhouse

*Prices correct at time of publication.