The first Cheltenham card of the jumps season takes centre stage in our ITV racing tips for Friday, with five contests on the box from day one of Prestbury Park’s Showcase meeting.
Armchair punters can also look forward to a trio of Flat races from Doncaster and these are our best bets on an action-packed afternoon.
13:50 Cheltenham Tip
13:50 CHELTENHAM – BOWENSONFIRE @ EVS
Bowensonfire is a Listed winner over hurdles, and the Gordon Elliott -trained six-year-old has been confident over fences so far, claiming a second and two thirds from three starts. Most recently, he was only third of five runners in a Grade Three novice chase at Gowran Park earlier this month, but finished close up behind a couple of well-regarded previous scorers in Frankie John and Vicar Street and sets the standard in the Catesby Estates ‘Chasing Excellence’ Novices’ Chase on that evidence.
14:45 Doncaster Tip
14:45 DONCASTER – ELLUSIVE BUTTERFLY @ 14/1
Karl Burke ’s three-year-old has not been seen since landing a June Listed-class double in the Surrey Stakes at Epsom and the Eternal Stakes at Carlisle . Ellusive Butterfly 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 again here.
15:00 Cheltenham Tip
15:00 CHELTENHAM – PLANTERS PUNCH @ 5/2
Nicky Henderson ’s gelding is taken to maintain his unbeaten record as he steps up to Grade Two level in the Oddschecker Novices’ Hurdle . Prior to comfortable wins at Bangor and Chepstow earlier this year, Planters Punch held off Aqua Bleu at Hereford last November and that runner-up went on to complete a hat-trick of wins himself before being tried in Grade One company at Aintree .
15:35 Cheltenham Tip
15:35 CHELTENHAM – JPR ONE (NAP) @ 10/3
Joe Tizzard ’s nine-year-old can bag a valuable prize his consistent efforts deserve by claiming the lucrative Squareintheair Handicap Chase . JPR One 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 reopposes Dan Skelton ’s Calico , who defeated him in an Ascot handicap last November and has won this race in each of the last two years. However, JPR One usually goes well fresh, having won three of his four starts following lengthy breaks.
Betting Tips
Friday ITV Racing Betting Tips
13:50 Cheltenham – Bowensonfire @ EVS
14:45 Doncaster – Ellusive Butterfly @ 14/1
15:00 Cheltenham – Planters Punch @ 5/2
15:35 Cheltenham – JPR One (NAP) @ 10/3
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