Best bets for the horse racing Saturday 27th January

Cheltenham takes centre stage on Saturday as the Jumps game builds towards the big shindig there in March and I will be having a bet over the jumps with a Triple G favourite running. I am also getting involved on the all-weather at Lingfield.

Bristol De Mai will attempt to bounce back from a disappointing run at Kempton when he lines up for the 3m1f Grade Two BetBright Trial Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham due off at 2.25. I am a huge fan of the grey and though I was disappointed with his effort in the G.1 King George on Boxing Day he was subsequently found to be suffering from stomach ulcers. I still think he is very good and all being well will show he can do it around here in this before a tilt at the Gold Cup; it's not as if he hasn't gone well at Cheltenham, he was 2nd in the 2016 JLT and ran well for a long way in last seasons Gold Cup until a bad jump 3 three out. I am also convinced he is better than some think on decent ground but the fact it is nice and soft over in the West Country suits me, and him, just fine. I can see why some consider him short priced but I jumped on BPG at 13-8 on Friday as that will look a big price if he wins this as I think he just might.

Down in Surrey at Lingfield I am on two. I am starting to sound a bit like a PR man for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby of late but when things are going well they’re going well and they certainly are for the team down at Moulton Paddocks. Celestial Spheres goes for the team in the Betway Handicap at 3.10. He looked to love every yard of the 1m4f when stepped-up in distance last time getting the better of Al Hamdany over this track and trip back on 31^st December. This looks his trip and the gelding has risen only 4lb in the handicap for that win and looks a solid bet in this. Grab the 5-4.

The boys in blue send two for the seven furlong Play Starburst Slot At Sunbets.co.uk/vegas Maiden Stakes at 3.45. Half-brother to Prize Money the twice-raced Al Mustashar disappointed when last seen at Kempton in October and does not set the pulse racing on that performance. That man Appleby sends the unraced 3YO gelding Cosmic Glow to make his racecourse debut. He is certainly bred to be fairly decent; three of the Dams four foals have been winners, including full brother Mississippi and half-brother to that good sprinter Maarek. The yard is flying and more than capable of getting one ready on debut so I have the 100-30.

As mentioned in the separate post I am of course also on Collected for the $16 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational out in the States this evening.

Be lucky