The Cheltenham November Meeting kicks off on Friday and the Daily Star Chief Tipster fancies a longshot to spring a surprise in the big race
JONBON has made the Shloer Chase on day one of Cheltenham’s November meeting his own with victories in the past two seasons
The crack two miler will be a warm order to complete the hat-trick but his short price holds no appeal so I’m rolling the dice with MATATA (2.55) at a big price (16-1).
With Storm Claudia set to turn the ground testing, Matata will love the conditions and if he can dominate from the front he could cause a surprise.
The presence of L’Eau Du Sud and Edwardstone make this an intriguing contest.
Punters should keep their heads and support a crack Irish raider.
HEADS UP (3.30, nap) came within a length and a half of winning the Champion Bumper at the Festival in March.
He ran most of the field ragged from the front and only Willie Mullins’ Bambino Fever was too good up the punishing Prestbury Park hill.
Trained by John McConnell, who likes a winner at this three-day meeting, Heads Up made an impressive hurdling debut at Listowel in September and is thrown into the Grade Two Albert Barlett Novices’ Hurdle.
Heads Up is a relentless galloper and has winning form in bad ground.
It is a step up in trip but he could mark himself out as a leading novice hurdler.
Before the ITV cameras start rolling, MARLACOO (1.15, nb) has strong each-way claims in the Lycetts Insurance Brokers Conditional Jockeys Hurdle.
Tom Lacey has his string in good nick and Marlacoo will be fit from an excellent run at Chepstow.
He also has form on soft ground.
WADE OUT (2.20) and Sean Bowen get the vote in the Listed Novice Chase.
He did well to beat Wendigo on their respective chasing debuts and despite being described as “slow and lazy” by his rider he will not be fazed if conditions become attritional.
CAN YOU CALL (1.45) looks overpriced at around 10-1 in the Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Chase.
He is fragile but is not high mileage for a 10-year-old and off bottom weight he could run very well in conditions that should suit.
FRONTIER PRINCE (4.00, nb) could be the answer to the tricky handicap hurdle that closes the card.
Fergal O’Brien’s four-year-old won a decent novice hurdle at Chepstow and looks tough and progressive.
VANGO CAN GO (2.07) is very highly regarded and can score for Dan Skelton at Southwell while GLORY HIGHTS (12.45) will relish the rain up at Newcastle.
JASON HEAVEY’S FRIDAY’S TIPS
CHELTENHAM
1.15 Marlacoo (trb)
1.45 Can You Call
2.20 Wade Out
2.55 Matata
3.30 Heads Up (Nap)
4.00 Frontier Prince (nb)
SOUTHWELL
12.22 Forsa Bay
12.57 Moonlit Potter
1.32 Admiral Stewart
2.07 Vango Can Go
2.42 Wondering Why
3.17 Motazzen
3.50 Florita
NEWCASTLE
12.10 Country Code
12.45 Glory Hights
1.20 Parisian Fashion
1.55 Chapel Green
2.30 Secret Secret
3.05 McGrath From Clune
3.40 Majordomo
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