A ‘Royale’ start to 2010 – new year’s day Cheltenham tips

The frost covers are down here at Prestbury Park and we’re all set for an ideal start to the new year with a seven race card at the home of jump racing set to beat the weather.

Victor Chandler sponsor the 2m 5f Handicap Chase at 2.10pm, and I’ll be aiming to hit the ground running by backing Razor Royale each way at 15/2 with Stan James.

Free £25 Bet when you join Stan James today

Needless to say it’s a hot race this, but much as Bernard Dorsett famously claimed to be ‘a lover of mousse’ on Channel 4’s Come Dine With Me, it’s safe to say Razor Royale is a lover of Cheltenham, a track local to his Gloucestershire yard the eight year old almost always seems to perform upon with distinction.

In the prize money on seven of his nine visits to the venue he’s in rude health at the moment, bolting up in the Amateur Riders’ race on the Friday of the Paddy Power Meeeting, before following up with a fine second to Poquelin in the Boylesports Gold Cup in December.

Up 3lbs for that effort he’s saddled with a nice racing weight of 11st 2lb here, and with the excellent Paddy Brennan doing the steering he looks to hold an excellent chance of being involved at the business end of things.

Favourite Chapoturgeon looks to have a tough task carrying a big weight, while his stablemate Tatenen was thrashed at Sandown last time and jumped like a hairy goat on his previous outing in the Paddy Power Gold Cup here in November.

Of the other likely candidates Exmoor Ranger is a funny horse who never seems to run two races alike and ended up on the deck last time he ran at Cheltenham, but if you’re looking for one to back at a huge price I wouldn’t put you off Stan, an eleven year old making only his second start for Tim Vaughan after a switch from Venetia Williams.

This is certainly a case of trying to make an old clock tick again, but this a horse with a lot of ability if he chooses to put his best foot forward.

He loves Cheltenham, is twice a course and distance winner here including this very race 12 months ago off a mark of 143, and now races from a droppping mark of 145.

To my eyes it wouldn’t be the greatest surprise if he was to spring back to form, especially as he’s benefitting from a change of surroundings and has historically performed well at this time of year.

Don’t be too surprised if he gatecrashes the party and makes the frame at huge odds. The 33/1 on offer with Stan James or William Hill looks worth a small interest.

Have a great New Year’s celebration.

I’ve got the misfortune to be on duty supervising the infamous Lord Culcheth and his dishevelled companion Borres as they launch an assault on some unsuspecting leathery boozed up cougars, while the Bulldog editor of the column is dining on lobster and other sought after dishes in a very nice restaurant in the North West before working it off by taking part in a round the clock vigil to clear snow off the pitch at Deepdale in preparation for Preston’s next home game.

Good luck!

Friday’s Cheltenham tips:

2.10 – victorchandler.com Handicap Chase – 4 Stan (each way) @ 33/1 (Stan James or William Hill)

2.10 – victorchandler.com Handicap Chase – 6 Razor Royale (each way) @ 15/2 (Stan James)