There's a six-race card to enjoy - permitting a successful late-morning inspection - at Cheltenham on this frosty Friday, and we've got a couple of tips for the occasion.
Six go to post in the opener at 12.40 - a novices' hurdle over 2m1f - and I like the claims of GENTLE SLOPES at 9/4.
If you asked Milton Harris who the most exciting novice hurdler in his yard is at present, I'm sure this fella would be considered. His bumper form suggests he has plenty of class, and I can't see any reason why he won't transfer that over flights.
Harris is in superb form, operating at a 31% strike rate - as is jockey Jonathan Burke, who has ridden 10 winners in his last 40 rides. That, combined with the 6lbs he gets from half of the field, gives me great confidence the five-year-old can be very competitive here.
The favourite Master Chewy is an obvious danger, also in receipt of weight from the trio who have previously won over hurdles, but I don't believe the standard he sets is even remotely realistic for Gentle Slopes to suggest - and he comes here on the back of a fall, which is a slight risk.
Fingers crossed Harris and Burke can continue this red-hot streak and record yet another winner at Cheltenham this afternoon.
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Funnily enough, I'm now going to oppose that partnership for my next and final tip, which is ANYHARMINASKING at 4/1 for the 0-140 handicap hurdle over 2m1f at 3.00.
Mullenbeg is currently the favourite for identical connections as Gentle Slopes, but I'm eager to take her on as she has done a lot of racing in the last few months and this is not only the toughest task of her season so far but she also has to defy a 7lb penalty.
Dan Skelton's Too Friendly is a danger, as is Punctuation for the red-hot Fergal O'Brien, but I think Anyharminasking is by some distance the best horse in the field and I'm certain he'll prove much better than his current mark of 136 as the season progresses.
He's already ran twice this season, completely bombing out at Ascot on his seasonal reappearance before a promising run just five days ago at Huntingdon, finishing four lengths behind the winner in third. That was a massively eye-catching performance, as he was given plenty to do out the back and hung his chances away in the straight.
This is a horse that improves for racing, and providing that last run hasn't taken too much out of him - which we can only assume is the case - I think he could be hard to beat today.
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