Betting

BEST BETS | The April Meeting: Three selections to consider for Wednesday’s racing at Cheltenham

An improving chaser, an interesting hurdler and a dual course winner make the list for today’s best bets at Cheltenham at the April Meeting

Published

4 months ago

April 13, 2021

Reece Charlton

Captain Tom Cat and jockey Cillin Leonard lead over the last fence on the way to winning the squareintheair.com Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham Racecourse.

The April Meeting at Cheltenham gets underway on Wednesday, with several contests for jumps fans to dig into.

Our team have taken a look through the first day’s card and have picked out some value to take a look at.

Here are a trio of runners to consider for the first day’s action at Cheltenham on day one of the April Meeting.

NAP: Benevolentdictator – Arkells Brewery Nicholson Holman Handicap Chase (4/1 William Hill)

An improving sort from Gary Moore’s yard, Benevolentdictator makes his first start at the Gloucestershire course with several impressive performances this season.

Gary Moore Trainer — Gary Moore could land success at Prestbury Park with Beneloventdictator

A winner in a Novices’ Handicap Chase over 2m4f at Lingfield, the seven-year-old comfortably dealt with the step up in trip over three miles and a furlong at Plumpton on his next start, winning by 14 lengths.

Moore’s runner dealt with an 11lb rise well on his next start, landing a far from disgraced third in the Sussex National Handicap Chase.

The only question is whether the gelding can deal with the faster ground, but there is clearly more to come from him and we may well see it at the April Meeting.

NB: Captain Tom Cat – Kingston Stud Handicap Hurdle (8/1 bet365, BetVictor)

Dr Richard Newland’s hurdler has experienced good fortunes at Cheltenham this season, winning once and placing in the other on his two starts at Prestbury Park.

Dr Richard Newland believes Captain Tom Cat will be a talented chaser in the future

The six-year-old had a promising summer campaign, winning two of his three starts, before landing a large-field handicap hurdle at the Showcase meeting in October.

WATCH: CAPTAIN TOM CAT WON AT CHELTENHAM EARLIER THIS SEASON AS HE RETURNS TO PRESTBURY PARK FOR THE APRIL MEETING [CREDIT: ITV RACING]

He did struggle on his last start at Aintree in December, but Captain Tom Cat can continue to show progress here.

At the price of 8/1, he could be an interesting contender in this contest.

LONGSHOT: Ibis Du Rheu – Weatherite Handicap Chase (20/1 William Hill)

Previously under the guidance of Paul Nicholls, Ibis Du Rheu returns to the course where he seems to produce his best performances.

The 10-year-old’s only win over fences came at Prestbury Park and the gelding has placed in four of his seven starts at the Gloucestershire course.

Now returning to the course under new trainer Richard Hobson, Ibis Du Rheu sits at his lowest handicap mark of 125 and does need a revival in form here.

2016 Cheltenham Festival - Gold Cup Day - Cheltenham Racecourse — *Ibis Du Rheu won at the Cheltenham Festival in 2016, taking the Martin Pipe when trained by Paul Nicholls*

If the course can spring this gelding back into life, then his double-figure price is screaming each-way value in the penultimate race of the first day of the April Meeting.