Cheltenham's back with a bang on a super Saturday

Welcome back, Cheltenham.

The Showcase meeting may not be the official start to the jumps season, which began with fixtures at Hexham and Uttoxeter in early May, but for many fans it is all systems go only when racing returns to Prestbury Park.

What better place for punters to start the increasingly obsessive pursuit of finding festival winners than at the track which stages the sport’s biggest four days of the year in the spring?

The Showcase meeting has grown in stature significantly in recent years and Saturday’s seven races boast total prize-money of £240,000, with two contests worth £60,000 each.

If there is a 2020 Cheltenham Festival winner on Saturday’s card it’s likely to be a horse who will tackle one of the always ferociously competitive handicaps at that meeting.

Perhaps the 153-rated Cobra De Mai, who makes his seasonal reappearance for Dan Skelton in the £60,000 “Matchbook Betting Exchange” Handicap Chase (2.00), is a prime example.

He won a 3m2f handicap chase comfortably at Cheltenham’s April meeting and was by no means disgraced in stronger company behind Black Corton at Sandown. He should continue to go the right way.

The admirable ten-year-old Cogry, just the type of character with whom jumps fans build up a lasting rapport over many seasons, will seek to improve his excellent record in this particular race for local trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies.

Cogry won in 2017 and finished a neck second to Relentless Dreamer 12 months ago. He, along with other old favourites and some new stars who are yet to emerge, will be part of the opening acts of what will hopefully be another wonderful winter of action.

Welcome back, Cheltenham.

Saturday on ITV Racing: Armchair guide

“Matchbook Betting Exchange” Handicap Chase 3m1f

Cogry, winner of this always fiercely competitive staying event two years ago and runner-up in 2018, is one of the leading contenders again.

2.35 Cheltenham
Masterson Holdings Hurdle 2m½f

The wetter the better for Torpillo, who created a fine impression when turning what looked a competitive handicap into a procession at Chepstow last time.

3.10 Cheltenham
Randox Health Handicap Chase 2m

Master Work and Mcgroarty have race fitness on their side in what looks a most competitive affair.

3.45 Cheltenham
Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle 3m

Debra Hamer’s stable star Tobefair, a winner at Cheltenham in April, makes his seasonal reappearance under top weight. He finished second in the Pertemps Final in March.

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