ITV Racing Tips: Rock The Kasbah to score in tasty Cheltenham clash?
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A busy weekend of action at Cheltenham gets under way on Friday with the first day of the International Meeting.
There’s also action from Banger-on-Dee, and we’re on hand to guide you in the right direction ahead of it all with our ITV Racing Tips.
One of the most open betting heats of the day sees a whole host of top stayers battle it out over 3m 2f in this Grade 3 contest. Rock The Kasbah is the one tipped to come out on top.
Phillip Hobbs’ charge was mightily impressive when winning over a furlong longer at Cheltenham last month in a career-best effort. He’ll have to defy a further 6lb rise to take this one.
That shouldn’t be too much of a problem, especially given his last two runs over the 3m+ distance have produced a win and a frame finish. He’s a proven stayer and can take another step forward here.
Midnight Target is one we really like the look of – and not just because she’s a consistent frame finisher. John Groucott’s star keeps going up the weights but crucially keeps producing the results.
After landing a Listed contest ahead of The Bay Birch at Cheltenham last April, the mare returned to action with a decent second to the classy looking Marienstar in November.
The hope is that our pick will have come on a bit more from that run at Kempton to confirm the form with The Bay Birch, who reopposes here.
A chance is taken on Sizing Granite for the in-form Colin Tizzard. The Dorset-based trainer had the winner in the Ladbrokes Trophy a fortnight ago and followed that up with a third in the Becher Chase last week.
Sizing Granite doesn’t quite have the capabilities of Sizing Tennessee or Ultragold. But he’s a game type stepping down in class from his usual level of opposition.
That spells opportunity. And at a double-figure price, we reckon the 10-year-old has what it takes to creep into the places off what appears to be a very kind mark.
ITV Racing tips:
1:55 Cheltenham – Midnight Target
2:10 Bangor-on-Dee – Kansas City Chief
2:30 Cheltenham – Rock The Kasbah
3:05 Cheltenham – Amazing Comedy (each-way)
3:40 Cheltenham – Sizing Granite
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All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
