Cheltenham Saturday Betting Preview Pt 3

The Showcase Trophy is a 3m handicap chase that has a few talented runners lining up here. One of the more recognizable names is Balthazar King and he’s already gotten things off to a promising start this season winning on his seasonal debut. While he appears to lead the market right now with an 11/2 price tag, we will be opting for Vif Argent here as the lightly-raced gelding shifts over from France for David Pipe and goes immediately to Tom Scudamore. 

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE BET WITH PADDY POWER!

It appears as though we aren’t the only ones who fancy him as the price has been beat down to about 6/1 and set to potentially go lower if he makes a really good pre-race appearance. He has run very well in a number of solid French contests and will get Scudamore first time here. 

The next race is a handicap hurdle that features a few interesting runners with Silver Eagle looking to be a justifiable stand-out favourite. The son of Presenting is only five and has been on the racecourse in limited amounts but every time he has appeared he has acquitted himself quite well under the circumstances. 

Nick Schofield gets the call on the contenders fifth lifetime contest and the pair could be set to make an impression here if the quality form carries over from his last race at Uttoexeter. 

The 5:00 contest is the a novice chase with only seven entries in the mix here. The eye immediately goes to Henry De Bromhead’s Sizing Italy who looks to be the latest iteration of the talented Sizing family. He has been out three times this season and has placed twice and won a single race - each time punching a bit above his weight. While he lines up against quality runners like Dark Lover and Balder Success, you reckon that this could be the right place and the right time for him to make a real impression - and solidify his credentials to run here in March in one of the top contests. 

The race goes a 2m distance and should be run at a very solid pace throughout. 

The final contest is a flat race that really could go in any direction, especially when you consider the overall size of the field here. We will opt for AP McCoy’s decision to ride the likes of Carningli, who has only actually been on the track once and managed a victory there. McCoy was also up that day when he beat out a field of nine to triumph by a one-length margin. There is a lot more money on the line here (considerably speaking) and you think he will be able to get the job done.