TV TIPS (FRIDAY)

The jumps are back with our season opener from jumps HQ Cheltenham with the ITV cameras also throwing in some competitive action from Doncaster for good measure.

Pundits Dean Kilbryde and Rory Paddock preview all the live ITV action this Friday to kick start the weekend early with hopefully a hat full of winners.

13:15 CHELTENHAM

Crooked Path arrives here firmly on the upgrade, impressing when stepped up in trip at Fontwell last weekend, travelling nicely and jumping well and cruising to a five-length success. He’s due to go up 5lbs for that recent victory yet gets a handy weight-for-age allowance and also brings the highest recent RPR into the race. Providing this doesn’t come too soon, he should have have an excellent chance here.

Another to consider is Handlethekettle who is proven at the trip having won three times last season at around 20 furlongs and ran well for second on reappearance last month. With his trainer in fine recent form and ground to suit, he’s a live each way player.

East India Express has prior course and distance victory to his name but finished last season in poor form so is probably best watched despite this being a drop in class on his return.

CROOKED PATH (E/W)

13:35 DONCASTER

Perhaps a tad obvious but Bulletsnap looks the one to beat and with good reason. William Haggas’s handicap debutant shook off their maiden tag last time out and despite the burden of top-weight looks set to make it two wins in a row in what looks a pretty weak contest.

Of the remainder Glamorize looks best of the rest having won two of their last four contests.

BULLETSNAP (WIN)

13:50 CHELTENHAM

Bowensonfire ran to a decent standard over hurdles, winning a Listed contest at the DRF last year and although is yet to taste victory in three over fences he wasn’t beaten far in a Grade 2 at Gowran Park last time out so just about sets the standard.

Passing Diamond is unbeaten in three since switching from hurdles, successful in two races at Cartmel over the summer and most recently when stepping up to 20f at Hexham earlier this month, beating a subsequent winner in the process. One to consider, however the step up in class may see the unbeaten run come to an end today.

Preference is for Ice Jet who at four is the joint youngest in the field and as such gets a handy weight-for-age allowance. He’s had a great year, winning three on the bounce over hurdles before switching to chasing and posting results of 221 with the victory being an eighteen-length demolition of rivals at Uttoxeter in September. At home on good or good-to-soft ground, with trainer Dan Skelton in fantastic recent form, and being the most likely to improve beyond his current rating, Ice Jet gets the nod.

ICE JET (WIN)

14:10 DONCASTER

With the rain continuing to fall it only improves the chances of David O’Meara’s Toyotomi who finished mid-division last time out but prior to that went a close third on bottomless ground at Ayr. Is off a fair mark and looks set for a bold showing.

Course form here at Doncaster counts for a lot and at much bigger odds Fahrenheit Seven could do far better than the market suggests. His sole effort here at the Yorkshire venue came on soft ground where he finished an encouraging third. This is a tougher test but don’t rule out another notable performance.

Elsewhere course and distance winners Dark Thirty and Golden Mind deserve honourable mentions as does the relatively lightly raced Advertised.

TOYOTOMI (E/W)

FAHRENHEIT SEVEN (E/W)

14:25 CHELTENHAM

A really competitive looking affair and a race where caution is advised. If your hand is forced to have a bet in this one I’m inclined to air on the side of being tentative with your stakes as a case could easily be made for a good chunk of the 13 runner contingent.

Although without a win in his last 10 starts that dates back to March 2025 Continuance has been knocking on the door of success with a handful of second placed finishes, In the hope he isn’t a proverbial bridesmaid he’s taken to go close once again for locally based trainer Martin Keighley.

The Ben Pauling trained duo of Mojito Des Mottes and Wondering Why should make any punters shortlist especially after the latter took home victory when last seen.

King Ulanda is another with solid claims and although well fancied by some The Hardest Geezer looks worth taking on although I appreciate that could be a statement I live to regret.

CONTINUANCE (E/W)

14:45 DONCASTER

Handicap newcomer Palladas enters the reckoning with a 100% career record still intact. The Godolphin owned three year old has done little wrong in their career to date and could potentially be a group contender hiding in a handicap. A slight concern over the fact he’s yet to race on turf but this shorter trip and soft ground should play to their strengths. The one they all have to conquer as he looks likely to make it three wins from three.

Another horse who took victory in their last two starts is Murashah and the in form contender looks set to finish in the money once more.

The one I fear most resides at the bottom of the card with Kevin Ryan’s Inishbeg a possible each way alternative. A former course and distance winner who should have conditions to suit.

PALLADAS (WIN)

15:00 CHELTENHAM

Cooltobecareless represents one of the most in form yards, was well supported when coming out on too last time out and is held in serious regard by connections. With so many boxes ticked it’s hard not to side with the current race favourite.

Similarly from a value perspective Scott’s Legacy has done little wrong in his three race career, building upon his opening race by winning his subsequent two starts. For punters looking for one at an each way price they should look no further than the Twiston-Davies contender.

COOLTOBECARELESS (WIN)

SCOTT’S LEGACY (E/W)

15:35 CHELTENHAM

Having won this contest for the last two seasons it’s safe to say Calico has a liveky chance of doing so again with this race one of his seasonal targets. Hailing from the red hot Skelton yard he might be aged in the double figures but if he’s got something left in the tank he should be on the scene in the closing stages.

If younger legs are to prevail then Irish raider Sky Lord should be taken very seriously. With the benefit of an encouraging recent run Henry De Bromhead won’t be sending the seven year old over just to make up the numbers and looks a major threat to Calico’s chances.

JPR One has been a model of consistency and despite not being the most prolific always throws down a fair challenge. Likely to pick up some of the prize money and could be set to capitalise if the main protagonists falter.

CALICO - SKY LORD (REV FCAST)

written by Dean Kilbryde & Rory Paddock