RSA Chase Tips – Day 2 – Cheltenham 2015

One of the highlights on Wednesday’s mouth-watering card at Cheltenham is the RSA Chase (2.05), in which Willie Mullins will look to win the race for his first time since Cooldine in 2009.

Don Poli The Jolly
The betting suggests Mullins is holding an ace in Don Poli (2/1), who has been rested since making it 2-2 over fences at Leopardstown over Christmas (3m, soft). That Grade 1 victory showed how much class Don Poli possesses, and having won the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at last year’s festival, he is proven over conditions, hence why backers have latched onto him.

While it’s hard to find any faults in the jolly, those looking for some each-way value will point to the fact that Don Poli is a 6yo, who have a much weaker record than 7yo’s in this event. Indeed, with 7yo’s accounting for all bar one of the last 10 RSA winners, David Pipe’s, Kings Palace, could well upset the favourite.

Pipe’s Palace The Danger

A record of 3-3 over fences reads well for Pipe’s gelding, who was a Grade 2 winner over hurdles, and now tries such company for the first time over fences.

With all three wins in minor novices, some may see him as lacking form in the book, especially as he won a two-runner event last month by just 1l, though he seemed to idle that day and looks to have more to come.

The fact he is 4-5 over this C&D (including hurdles) is a bonus, and despite falling at last year’s festival, he can put that behind him having gained more experience since.

Southfield Theatre To Steal Show?
Another 7yo worth a look is Paul Nicholls’ Southfield Theatre (8/1), who is 3-4 over fences, including a Grade 2 at Wincanton three outings ago. He put up a similar performance in landing a small novice at Exeter last month (2m3f, good to soft) and will no doubt put up a good show, though there is a slight question mark about him getting a strongly run 3m, despite being beaten only a nose over hurdles over the trip at last year’s festival.

One who does get every yard of this 3m trip is Mark Bradstock’s 8yo, Coneygree (9/2), who oozes class having already put Grade 2 and Grade 1 wins on his CV.

While the 11l Grade 1 win at Kempton over Christmas was impressive, he improved beyond that to land a Grade 2 at Newbury last month (3m, soft), making all once to score by 7l. Considering the tacky ground wasn’t ideal at Newbury, there could be more to come on better ground on Wednesday.

Master Well Priced
The Young Master is another of the leading fancies at 6/1, and Neil Mulholland’s 6yo would have lined-up for this 4-4 over fences but for being disqualified for winning a Listed handicap at Wincanton in November (3m, good to soft).

However, compensation was only around the corner when winning a similar race at Ascot (3m, good to soft). Prior to those two wins was a victory over this C&D on good ground, and at the rate The Young Master is improving, he may have been a shorter price had he come from a more distinguished yard.

Recommended Bets
There is no getting away from the terrific record 7yo’s have in this race, and representing that age-group is Kings Palace, who despite falling at last year’s festival, won his other four races over this C&D and comes here in form. Remember, stakes are returned as a FREE bet should Kings Palace finish second to the SP favourite.