Equinties - Fashion Friday

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Gm, Equinauts

Despite the relentless rain we’ve had this week, Cheltenham’s clerk of the course John Pullin is absolutely adamant the going will be NO worse than soft.

Hmm. We’re not so sure. Yes, the course dries quickly but it literally hasn’t stopped raining. The first race will be key viewing, but we suspect we won’t go far wrong by finding the sloppers.

Let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUND UP

SKELTON STRONG

Dan Skelton is so far clear in the trainers title, with his endless production line of strong teams he sends out day in day out, it must be so daunting for other trainers to even wonder how they go about taking him on.

Taking a look at the line up this weekend, he has THE NEW LION in the Unibet Hurdle , GREY DAWNING in the Cotswold Chase and MAESTRO CONTI in the Triumph Hurdle Trial. Three strong chances in the feature races of the weekend, a squad others could only dream of yet for Dan, it’s just another business day.

So, his chances? Let’s start with THE NEW LION. People assume he has it all to do this weekend, but the fact that Dan has kept him in the 2mile division (and not swerving SIR GINO) speaks volumes. He clearly thinks his lad can give him a run for his money (which most punters don’t!).

The story behind how Dan ended up with THE NEW LION is unusual. He was spotted as an unbroken 3yo in an indoor school in Sandall House where Dan was born. Fate, some might say.

Back to his chances. You can draw a line through THE NEW LION’s Newcastle run, he fell when the race hadn’t yet got exciting.

(No matter how many times we watch it back, we still react to that CONSITUTION HILL fall. FML).

Anyway, every time THE NEW LION has stood up, he’s remained unbeaten and as such, the books are being careful with his price - they’re not offering him any bigger than 2’s which is short if you were to listen to racing X who would no doubt price him at 5’s or bigger. However you price it up, tomorrow’s race will shape March for not only those two, but for those watching, namely Mullins wondering where to send LOSSIEMOUTH.

The Triumph Trial needs more studying. We smashed up MAESTRO CONTI on debut when given the nod but tomorrow’s race is a completely different ball game so we will look at that tonight.

And that leaves GREY DAWNING. Most punters banker this weekend, he’s Nicholls’ banker too. In Paul’s Betfair column he described him as ‘an absolute certainty’. He is priced up at 8/13, which some might argue is generous if he can’t lose like Nicholls believes.

FASHION FRIDAY

Launched a couple of seasons ago in Dubai, ‘Fashion Friday’ has quickly become one of the most iconic fixtures of the Carnival (November to March), but on a day where racegoers are encouraged to "dress to the nines", punters eyes will be on the nags.

Unless you’re Frankie Foster that is lol. ‘Wow, tell us about your outfit’.

No thanks.

F*ck the catwalk, we’re all about the pre-parade, so unless something is strutting on all fours we couldn’t care less about best in show on two legs.

There are some proper horses on display today, notably OPERA BALLO who is short for the Group 1 at 17.00. He looks like a God given certainty to give GHAIYYATH his first northern hemisphere Group 1 winner.

With 8 Group races on display today, the action kicks off 14.05 UK time and we advise you to use the Tote to access the deep liquidity of the World Pool should you wish to get stuck in. OPERA BALLO is a juicy 1.5 on the Tote right now.

COMPETITION!

We’ve been given a good nod at Meydan so let’s do a comp! Download and sign up to the Tote and if you dm us (on X @equinties) with a screenshot of OPERA BALLO in a Tote bet slip, we’ll reply with the play.

Link: Tote | Offers

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