Back JPR to land Cheltenham feature
JPR One can bag a valuable prize his consistent efforts deserve by claiming the lucrative squareintheair.com Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Friday.
Joe Tizzard’s nine-year-old came within a head of Grade One glory when edged out by Edwardstone in the Celebration Chase at Sandown in April.
He will have to defy top weight at Prestbury Park and he reopposes Dan Skelton’s Calico, who defeated him in an Ascot handicap last November and won this race last year.
However, JPR One has been around the block and is experienced enough in these valuable handicaps and higher graded contests, while he usually goes well fresh having won three of four starts after lengthy breaks.
Nicky Henderson’s Planters Punch can maintain his unbeaten record as he steps up to Grade Two level in the preceding Oddschecker Novices’ Hurdle.
Planters Punch held off Aqua Bleu at Hereford last November, and he finished last season in Grade One company at Aintree, before docile triumphs at Bangor and Chepstow earlier this year.
This is a big step up for Henderson’s charge, but he clearly sees enough ability for him to compete and he could be one to watch for the campaign.
Bowensonfire can make it a worthwhile trip across the Irish Sea for Gordon Elliott in the Catesby Estates “Chasing Excellence” Novices’ Chase.
A Listed winner over hurdles, the six-year-old has been confident over fences this summer, claiming a second and two thirds from three starts.
Most recently, Bowensonfire came third of five runners in the Grade Three Like A Butterfly Novice Chase at Gowran Park earlier this month, but only finished two lengths behind Frankie John and sets the standard in this contest in Gloucestershire.
On the Flat at Doncaster, Ellusive Butterfly can stretch her winning streak to three in the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap.
Karl Burke’s three-year-old daughter of Invincible Army has not been seen since landing a Listed double in the Surrey Stakes at Epsom and the Eternal Stakes at Carlisle.
She has had a break of 121 days since her last start in Cumbria, but she proved that day that she is versatile with ground conditions and should be in the mix.
Aramram can finish his five-year-old campaign as he started by winning on Town Moor.
Richard Hannon’s son of Blue Point opened the season with victory in the Listed Cammidge Trophy over course and distance, which then saw him finish runner-up in the Abernant Stakes and feature in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He has struggled to hit those heights in his subsequent runs but a return to a familiar hunting ground with Ryan Moore aboard, it is hard to look past him in the William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap.
Roger Varian’s Jahami has improved on both of her starts and can make it third time lucky in her bid to shed her maiden tag in the All Weather Championship Is Back EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Wolverhampton. – Press Association
TAB is betting on 3 UK meetings on Friday. Here are the tips.
CHELTENHAM: Race 1: 14.15 John Barbour, Race 2: 14.50 Bowensonfire, Race 3: 15.25 Loriko, Race 4: 16.00 Planters Punch, Race 5: 16.35 JPR ONE (NAP), Race 6: 17.10 Mr Hollywood, Race 7: 17.45 Little Ledgend.
DONCASTER: Race 1: 14.35 Bulletsnap, Race 2: 15.10 Aramram, Race 3: 15.45 Ellusive Butterfly, Race 4: 16.20 Desert Romance, Race 5: 16.55 Age Of Reason, Race 6: 17.30 Rikki Tiki Tavi, Race 7: 18.05 Angel Gabriel, Race 8: 18.35 You Sexy Thing.
WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 17.25 Yehudi, Race 2: 18.00 Mr Tony, Race 3: 18.30 Jahami, Race 4: 19.00 Stoney Wood, Race 5: 19.30 Landlordtothestars, Race 6: 20.00 Jodhpur Blue, Race 7: 20.30 Canvas, Race 8: 21.00 Hilltop, Race 9: 21.30 Mountbatten.
ALL TO COME: Bowensonfire and JPR One (Cheltenham, Races 2 and 5).