Niceonefrankie looks favourite to win Byrne Group Plate – Cheltenham Preview
Niceonefrankie is expected to complete the first ever hat-trick of his career by winning Byrne Group Plate (Handicap Chase) at Cheltenham racecourse on Thursday, March 15.
The high-stakes Grade 3 contest of 2m5f distance has big prize money worth £42,713. On Day three of the pretentious Cheltenham Festival, the 24-runner race is scheduled to start at 4:00 (GMT).
For the ace title, Niceonefrankie is geared up to show his guts against some of the big names of the horseracing world.
The Venetia Williams-trained bay gelding has been at the peak of his form since the dawn of 2012. During the first month of the year, the dashing horse won a couple of consecutive races.
After finishing 6th in a race on January 19, the six-year-old maverick runner went on to bag two more triumphs during February-March.
At the moment, the 19-race veteran gelding is on a hat-trick which he is looking to complete at Cheltenham where he is going to run for the very first time in his career.
Since making his debut in May 2009, the classic runner has accomplished 5 glaring triumphs so far. He is set to add another feat to his career chart in today’s mega marathon.
Niceonefrankie’s chances to finish first are more than 90 percent provided he manages to capitalise on his momentum and keep his nerves unshelled.
However, some of his competitors like Jack The Giant and Notus De LA Tour are likely to give him rather tough time.
Jack The Giant won four races in a row from December 2007 to November 2008. This fabulous success streak perked up the confidence level of the champion trainer Nicky Henderson’s bay gelding.
The 26-race experienced runner has been out-of-action since April 2010. He has undergone a lot of schooling during this period. He is supposed to stage a successful comeback today. Overall, the talented horse has won 9 out of his total 26 starts to date.
On the other hand, Notus De La Tour won two races in a row during October-November 2011. The trainee of David Pipe went on to finish third and second in his two subsequent outings during the month of December.
The six-year-old gelding got third spot in his last outing on January 29, 2012. He is carrying a lot of fighting spirit at the moment.
In this situation, the Handicap Chase is anticipated to be a heated competition. Niceonefrankie will have to fight with his back to the wall in a bid to thrive. Let us see how the gelding struggles for success. Good luck to all the runners.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not reflect Bettor.Com’s editorial policy.
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