Bomb Could Power Up Cheltenham Hill

Well the jumps season is back in earnest this weekend, with racing at Prestbury Park on Friday and Saturday, and then Aintree on Sunday. Even this early in the day it pays to keep an eye out for festival clues, as there will be quite a few horses on show whose ultimate aim will be returning to Cheltenham in the Spring.

The one I am going to back on Friday is Powersbomb, a 6yo son of Trans Island who is in the care of Sligo based trainer Brian McMahon. This gelding has plenty of ability, but his temperament has let him down at times. However, he has produced three good runs on his last three starts, and I think the stiff finish over 2m5f at Cheltenham will be right up his street.

He has a clear preference for good ground, and he looks sure to get his favoured conditions on Friday. His only win over hurdles came in July of last year, when he took a 20.5f handicap at Galway in taking fashion off a mark of 105. He relished the uphill finish at Galway, and it is encouraging that he has run well every time he has showed up at Ballybrit.

He ran a cracking race there two runs back off 115 (21f) on ground much softer than ideal, staying on well for 3rd, beaten 2.75L. He ran Wrath Of Titans close next time over an inadequate 18f at Downpatrick, and he was tapped for toe over 20f back in handicap company at Cork last time before staying on strongly in the closing stages.

That effort at Cork came off his revised mark of 118, and the British handicapper has handed him a mark of 122. He has been freshened up with a 54 day break since that last run, and you would imagine this has been the plan for quite a while. It is rare for a trainer like McMahon to have an animal with a live chance at Cheltenham, and Powersbomb definitely has each way claims.

McMahon has booked top class pilot Mikey Fogarty for the ride, and he was on board for his only previous hurdle victory. Fogarty knows what is required to win around Cheltenham, and he is an excellent booking. I think Powersbomb will be well suited by the stiff uphill finish over this 2m 5f trip, the ground is ideal and the right man is on board. Everything points towards a big run, and hopefully Powersbomb storms up the hill and rewards each way support at odds of 18/1.

My main bet this weekend is Contrapposto in the Racing Post Trophy. I was really taken with his run behind Rivet over 7f on his 2nd start, and he relished the step up to a mile when hosing up in a decent looking Nottingham maiden last time out. Connections have been bullish about his chances, and I think he can reverse the form with Rivet over an extra furlong. He is more than twice the price of that horse, and at 14/1 he looks well overpriced and he has to have a serious each way chance in a weak looking renewal.

STEVOS' SELECTIONS: 

3.20 CHELTENHAM: POWERSBOMB E/W 18/1

RACING POST TROPHY: CONTRAPPOSTO E/W 14/1