The team returns with two selections from Cheltenham’s December Meeting…
King Turgeon shaped like a handicapper on a steep upward curve when winning the Grand Sefton at Aintree last month and is taken to defy a six-pound rise in the weights to land the 3m2f Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Coming Soon Handicap Chase (13:50) at Cheltenham on Friday.
The six-year-old took to the Grand National fences in tremendous style, putting on a display of near-perfect jumping to win by three-and-a-quarter lengths. The gelding's versatility in this campaign has been quite remarkable, posting a career best speed figure of 115 (ATR) on that occasion over a trip short of his optimum. Going back up to 3m2f leaves a lot of scope for improvement.
The ground at Prestbury Park will be to his liking, having notched up three career victories in similar conditions. Likewise, the continued application of headgear which brought about much of his improvement in the first place can only be seen as a positive.
At current prices, it could be worth taking on Chianti Classico at the head of the market, with King Turgeon representing some value around the 11/4 mark.
KING TURGEON – WIN – 11/4
Might I could be poised to capitalise on a much-reduced mark in the 2m7f Citipost Handicap Hurdle (15:35) at Cheltenham on Friday.
Having won at Exeter and placed in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at the Festival off an official rating of 145, a rise of just 4lb for his victory when last seen at Bangor seems somewhat lenient.
That win was perhaps more impressive on figures than it was on the eye, registering a career best speed figure of 107 (ATR) when having to make up a lot of ground late on to seal the victory. This constitutes a better performance on the clock than any of his past efforts in stronger company, a fact the handicapper may have overlooked.
Ground should not be a worry, with three wins and four placed efforts coming from fourteen runs on Good to Soft. As such, an each-way play is recommended about Might I at current prices.
MIGHT I – EACH WAY – 10/1
