17th Mar 2016 | Cheltenham Festival
Pertemps Final Tip: Saddlers Encore
Spent almost two years on the sidelines but won on his second start back. Lightly raced and open to improvement.
Saddlers Encore will make a fine chaser in time but that didn’t stop the likes of Cape Tribulation and Holywell winning the Pertemps Final (2.10) and there’s no point turning down a good prize.
Saddlers Encore made his first start in 620 days on Boxing Day at Wincanton, finishing a close fifth to If In Doubt. He duly came on for the run when grinding out victory at Sandown last month, recording a good speed rating (122) in the process.
The 7-year-old has not taken much racing over the years, this is only his eighth start but that means he is open to plenty of improvement. The handicapper put him up 6lbs for his last win but he can still be competitive racing off a mark of 140.
The one slightly concern is that Saddlers Encore lacks a little in speed but a big field, racing at 3-mile should ensure this is a decent test of stamina. At 18/1 (BetVictor) he has a chance.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 01:01 17th Mar, 2016 but subject to change
