Dave’s followers dreaming of a big pay-day

UP THE ANTE: THE Cheltenham Festival is only 12 days away and the final pieces of the jigsaw were provided yesterday when the weights were unveiled for the big handicap hurdles and chases.

Of course, many horses will have two or more engagements at the big meeting so trying to identify winners at this stage is a risky business.

However, punters have one major weapon in their armoury - non-runner, no-bet.

Many bookmakers are offering this concession, so if you fancy a horse in one of the handicaps and it is withdrawn, then no damage is done.

With hundreds of horses entered in the various handicaps, anyone would be hard pushed to nominate winners at this stage.

But, as the jumps season progresses, you do get a hunch about horses for particular races at the Festival and here are a few I feel will make an impact . . .


BENSALEM (William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase): The cat is out of the bag so far as this fellow is concerned as trainer Alan King has nominated him as one of his best chances at the meeting.

However, this high-class novice chaser looks a handicap snip off a mark of 143 and it is also encouraging that he has decent form over hurdles at Cheltenham.

There is a possibility that he could go for the RSA Chase, but King has won this race with a novice before - Fork Lightning in 2004 - and I am confident the handicap will be the target.

BEST PRICE 7-1.


PAUSE AND CLAUSE (Coral Cup): Ran a blinder in this race last year to be third to Ninetieth Minute off 137 and gets in this race off exactly the same mark.

Proven at the track and in a big field, Pause And Clause has not been at his best this season, having unsucessfully tried his hand at chasing, but he ran a fine race in a three-mile conditions event at Haydock last time before unseating his rider as lack of stamina took its toll.

I believe the fire is still burning in this horse and trainer Emma Lavelle knows what it takes to win at this meeting.

BEST PRICE 33-1.


ERZEN (Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final): This horse has been crying out for a stamina test all season, so it was disappointing to see him trail home among the stragglers in a three-mile handicap hurdle at Haydock last time.

However, the combination of a big weight and sticky ground did not show Erzen to best advantage and I am inclined to put a line through that run.

His previous seconds over shorter trips to Beshabar at Sandown and Lake Legend at Kempton suggested his turn was not far away and another crack at three miles on better ground could see Nicky Henderson’s five-year-old make a bold bid in this competitive event.

BEST PRICE 25-1.

DAVE’S DREAM (Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase): Last year’s Imperial Cup winner has long been regarded as a potential chasing star by his stable but, after making a winning debut over the bigger obstacles at Huntingdon, his progress has been hindered by soft ground.
The likelihood of a more lively surface at Cheltenham is in Dave’s Dream’s favour and I have a strong feeling he is much better than his current handicap mark of 138.

Nicky Henderson is always keen to win this race, named in memory of his father, and has a clutch of entries. I believe Dave’s Dream is the pick.

BEST PRICE 20-1.