Bells Life expected to be fighting fit

Steam in for the fancy prices on offer about Bells Life in today's £60,000 added Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Quite why Philip Hobbs' progressive eight-year-old has been written off by the bookmakers for this wide open contest is a mystery.

Firstly, he has an impressive record to defend. In his four previous seasons he has never tasted defeat first time out. He won a Tipperary bumper on his racecourse debut in 1993, a maiden hurdle at the same course the following season and a Chepstow handicap hurdle on his debut for Hobbs in 1995.

And last season, he kicked off at his favourite Chepstow with an easy 16 length defeat of Beau Babillard.

But it was on his final start, at Aintree's Grand National meeting, that Bells Life really came of age.

Taking on 19 rivals in the John Hughes Trophy over two and threequarter miles, Bells Life galloped on strongly to beat Yeoman Warrior three lengths, a margin that would have been greater but for being hampered by loose horses on the run-in.

Interestingly, Kadi and Senor El Betrutti, both of whom run today row, finished third and sixth respectively there.

Bells Life will be suited by today's unusual trip of two miles and five furlongs.

If history counts for anything he can be expected to come here fighting fit and can triumph for his in-form yard.

Simply Dashing has a great chance on the evidence of his emphatic win in last month's First National Bank Chase, where he beat Fine Thyne five lengths.

Tim Easterby's six-year-old is an exciting prospect but it would be lazy punting just to assume he will enjoy a cakewalk here off an 8lb higher mark. Make no mistake, he should go close - but at poor value.

But why some of Bells Life's rivals are a much lower price than the selection is hard to understand. Challenger du Luc did not impress when defeated by Callisoe Bay at Newbury and Kadi has been totally out of form. And with nine runners, Bells Life can be backed with a place saver.

Pridwell makes considerable appeal to confirm his new lease of life in the £35,000added Bonusprint Bula Hurdle.

Martin Pipe's seven-year-old, formerly something of a maverick talent, has been impressive in three starts this season, most recently at Ascot when he beat Ocean Hawk by a very easy three lengths.

He faces some serious rivals here, most notably Large Action, who has made this race his own in recent years.

But the latter is not getting any younger and went completely wrong at the end of last season. And Collier Bay and Relkeel's only recent form came at Towcester last February, when first and second in an inconclusive race.

It would be unwise to assume that The Grey Monk will enjoy an easy win in Haydock's £40,000added Tommy Whittle Chase.

Gordon Richards' nine-year-old is a smart customer - but so is Rough Quest.

The latter, winner of the Grand National in 1996, won a two and a half mile novices' hurdle first time out last season and certainly possesses the speed to make a race of it. He is the value bet.

There are good wagers elsewhere on the same card in the shape of two revitalised horses.

Sesame Seed, impressive at Chepstow last week, should take the Tote Placepot Handicap Hurdle and Better Times Ahead, just touched off over fences at Carlisle last month, can successfully revert to the smaller obstacles in the St Helen's College Handicap Hurdle.

Alka International, who has been knocking on the door for some time, can gain a deserved win in the Stanley Racing Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle.

Ottowa should continue his progress in Lingfield's £19,500added Lambert Fenchurch December Novices' Chase, while Democrat is the Wolverhampton banker in the Bentley Jennison Chartered Accountants Handicap.