Today’s Horse Racing Tip – 2:05 Cheltenham 19 April
Today’s free horse racing tip runs in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at 2:05 Cheltenham. This nine-runner Class 1 contest is run over two miles and four and a half furlongs.
Nicky Henderson’s French-bred Dame De Compagnie has a big chance in the Mares’ Novice’s Hurdle which gets today’s seven-race card at Cheltenham underway.
She was an impressive winner of a two mile maiden hurdle when making her British debut at Uttoxeter in November before disappointing over this course and distance two weeks later. Henderson gave her a three month break and she re-appeared with an eye catching second at Ascot in February.
The five-year-old failed by a nose against Point Of Principle after the pair had drawn well clear of rivals in the closing stages. The run looks have put her back on track and with scope for improvement, is selected for today’s horse racing tip.
Dame Rose won a listed novices hurdle at Newbury in December but has failed to reproduce that form in three races since. She pulled up in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury when attempting to step up from her win and most recently failed to finish in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Festival. Better ground may suit her today and the betting market could give an indication if that would be the case.
Banjo Girl is a dual winner of novice events and obliged at her first attempt in a handicap when landing the odds at Fontwell last month. Lucy Wadham’s six-year-old deserves much respect dropping back to novice company and will ensure the race is run at an honest pace.
Like Dame Rose, Just Janice has something to prove having failed to make a mark in three outings this year. John Kiely’s six-year-old had impressed when winning a Grade 3 mares’ novice event at Down Royal in November but we await signs she’s ready to reproduce that form.
Spice Girl has plenty winning form on her card, completing a hat-trick of bumper wins in July and winning twice over hurdles at Towcester. She failed to make an impression in a Grade 2 hurdle here at the Festival and today’s trip will represent new territory for Martin Keighley’s charge.
Just A Thought has been placed in all six outings over hurdles and should give a good account of herself again. Presenting Pearl could be a threat if improving on her winning hurdles debut at Huntingdon 24 days ago.
Chilli Filli still has something to find on her best form when winning a 12-runner novices’ hurdle at Ludlow in December. Likewise, Angels Antics has not run close to the form of her second in a Haydock listed race before Christmas.
The going at Cheltenham today is good and the weather forecast is sunny with a light south-westerly breeze.
With a decent pace expected, Dame De Compagnie arrives here fresh from a good run at Ascot and should find conditions to her liking. Nicky Henderson’s mare looks the sort to progress and is today’s horse racing prediction.