2011 Cheltenham Open Friday Betting Preview Part 1

There is a seriously exciting card set to unfold Friday at Cheltenham as the Open meeting gets underway with plenty of action spread across six contests. The revised BHA whip rules will also be coming into play on the day and it should be taken into consideration by virtually all punters to handicap for a bit more aggressive riding.

What more should we expect at Cheltenham than aggressive riding?

Regardless, delving into the action punters will find a significant amount of value thanks to some customarily deep fields for every race.

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In the 13:10 we've got a solid field going 3m110y over fences with the respected Buena Vista having just withdrawn from contention after being listed as a significant top weight. The really interesting option here looks to be the 12/1 shout available on the Philip Hobbs gelding Estates Recovery who is a mere six years of age and looking to establish some dominance with a chasing victory as the top weight. There's a nice spacing between his races and, despite the blip last time out at Newton Abbot, he will likely find going a bit more to his liking and should vastly improve on that 5^th place position he secured on the day.

Bescot Springs is a there or thereabouts type who should be able to replicate some form from earlier this season. Running 3131 in four outings this season, the six-year-old son of Saddlers' Hall looked excellent last time out at Kelso, shattering a field of ten by a thirteen length margin. A reasonable 9/1 margin may tempt some into an each-way selection.

The 6/1 favourite is Time For Change and this talented member of the Waley-Cohen yard is taking a substantial amount of favourtism despite a bit of a disparity in the official ratings. This is a justifiable contender but is unraced at Cheltenham and the lower price is basically a gamble that he will relish the going.