The Stage Is Set at Cheltenham

August at Cheltenham — and doesn't that just feel like something special? The home of jump racing doesn't often get to show off its flat credentials, but when it does, it delivers in style. The Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap Stakes (Class 2) over 7 furlongs 127 yards is one of the highlights on the summer flat calendar, and with a £60,000 prize pot up for grabs, connections haven't held back in assembling a seriously competitive fourteen-runner field.

The undulating Cheltenham track demands versatility and genuine class. This isn't a course where you can hide — the terrain finds out horses that aren't fully committed, and with the going declared Good to Soft, Soft in places, stamina is going to be every bit as important as raw pace. Buckle up. This one's going to be a ride.

The Main Contenders — Who's Got What It Takes?

Five Ways (3yo, 9-9, Draw 14) — Jason Watson

Five Ways arrives as the highest-rated runner in the field at 104, and Andrew Balding's three-year-old colt has the look of a horse with serious upside. Youth can be a double-edged sword in a competitive handicap like this, but Balding knows how to place a horse, and Jason Watson is a jockey who thrives when given a horse with ability underneath him. The wide draw in stall 14 is the one concern on ground this soft — he'll need to work a touch harder than ideal to find his position — but if he handles the conditions, he's the one they all have to beat.

Two Tempting (7yo, 9-10, Draw 10) — Rob Hornby

Don't let the top weight fool you — Two Tempting carries it with the confidence of a horse who knows this track better than most. A course winner and distance winner, Jonathan Portman's seven-year-old gelding is tailor-made for this assignment. Rob Hornby is a polished operator who won't waste a yard, and stall 10 gives him a workable position in a field of this size. On ground that will test resolve, experience counts — and Two Tempting has bags of it.

Aqpan (3yo, 9-2, Draw 2) — Jack Mitchell

Roger Varian's three-year-old gelding Aqpan is one of the most intriguing runners in the race. Rated 97 and drawn in stall 2, he gets a favourable low draw on this soft ground and Jack Mitchell will look to use it to his advantage. Varian's horses tend to arrive at the track ready to run, and a 3yo with a 97 rating in a Class 2 suggests there's still more to come. One to watch closely in the market.

Whip Cracker (5yo, 9-6, Draw 4) — Hector Crouch

Richard Hughes has always had an eye for placing a horse, and Whip Cracker looks well placed here. Rated 95, the five-year-old gelding gets a low draw in stall 4 — a real asset on this ground — and Hector Crouch is one of the most underrated young jockeys in training. He rides with intelligence and composure, and if Whip Cracker is cherry-ripe, this trip and these conditions look ideal. A serious each-way contender.

Henlein (5yo, 9-7, Draw 8) — Tom Eaves

Kevin Ryan's five-year-old Henlein is rated 96 and draws a middle stall. Tom Eaves is a proven performer in competitive handicaps and will give this runner every chance. The concern is the lack of course or distance wins on his record — in a field where several rivals carry that form flag, Henlein may need to prove himself against the track's demands for the first time. Talented, but has questions to answer.

The Fingal Raven (4yo, 9-4, Draw 9) — William Carver

Jamie Osborne's four-year-old The Fingal Raven wears a tongue tie for this and that's a detail worth noting — it suggests connections are looking to sharpen up his breathing and get more out of him. William Carver takes the ride and the stall 9 draw is manageable. Rated 93, he's not the most exposed horse in the field, and if the headgear has the desired effect, he could outrun his odds.

Going and Draw — The Hidden Factors

On Good to Soft, Soft in places ground at Cheltenham, the draw becomes a genuinely significant factor. The undulating nature of the track means horses drawn low tend to get a cleaner, more direct route through the race, while wider draws demand more from a horse early on — energy that can be costly come the final furlong.

Low draws to note: Rhoscolyn (1), Aqpan (2), Goldmoyne (3), Whip Cracker (4) — all of these runners get a head start in terms of positioning. Rhoscolyn and Goldmoyne both carry distance winning form flags, which adds extra intrigue. Meanwhile, Five Ways out in stall 14 faces the stiffest ask of all from a positional standpoint, though class can overcome a wide draw if the horse is good enough.

The soft patches in the ground will also sort the field out physically. Horses who have won on similar ground, or who are bred to handle cut, will have a natural advantage over those who prefer a quicker surface. Trainers know their horses — if a runner is declared here in these conditions, you'd expect them to be confident about the going suitability.

Value Picks and Dangers to Note

Beyond the headline contenders, there are a few runners capable of causing a stir at a bigger price:

  • Collecting Coin (Draw 13, Rated 86) — Jennie Candlish's four-year-old carries the course winner and distance winner double flag. That's not a coincidence — this horse clearly loves the Cheltenham track. Darragh Keenan knows how to ride a waiting race and at a big price, Collecting Coin is a genuine each-way danger.
  • Blue Prince (Draw 5, Rated 85) — David Evans' five-year-old also boasts course and distance winning form, and stall 5 is a lovely draw on this ground. John Egan is a seasoned campaigner who won't panic. Don't dismiss him at the weights.
  • Yanifer (Draw 7, Rated 88) — Eight years old but course and distance proven, Harriet Bethell's veteran knows his way around here. Marco Ghiani is a capable jockey and at the bottom of the handicap, Yanifer could pinch a place at a tempting price.

The Verdict — Paddock Punter's Selection

This is a cracking race with genuine depth, but when the dust settles, Two Tempting is the horse that keeps pulling me back. Jonathan Portman has a course and distance winner who has been here before, done it before, and knows exactly what's required. Rob Hornby is the perfect partner — calm, tactical, and clinical when the race is there to be won. The soft ground won't be a problem. The track won't be a problem. And carrying 9-10 at the age of seven? This horse has earned the right to be respected at the top of the weights.

Five Ways is the biggest threat — the talent is obvious and Balding rarely runs a horse in a race it can't win. But the wide draw on testing ground introduces just enough doubt to keep me off him at the prices likely to be on offer.

Selection: Two Tempting (Each-Way)

Check out the full Cheltenham racecard for Saturday 22 August and get your bets on early — this one will attract plenty of interest. Good luck, and as always — gamble responsibly.

Who Is the Favourite for the Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap Stakes (Class 2)?

Based on ratings alone, Five Ways — trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by Jason Watson — is the highest-rated runner in the field at 104 and is expected to be well supported in the market. However, the wide draw in stall 14 on soft ground introduces risk, and the market may be closer than the ratings suggest come race day.

Does the Draw Matter at Cheltenham Over This Distance?

Yes — significantly so, especially on Good to Soft ground. The undulating Cheltenham track rewards horses who can find a clean early position, and low draws (stalls 1–5 in particular) tend to be advantageous over 7 furlongs 127 yards. Runners drawn wide must use more energy to slot into a good position, which can be costly on testing ground late in the race.

Is Cheltenham a Good Track for Flat Racing?

Cheltenham is best known for its world-class jump racing, but its flat meetings attract quality fields thanks to the unique and challenging nature of the course. The undulating track rewards genuine all-round ability, and horses with course form — like Two Tempting and Collecting Coin — carry a real advantage over rivals who haven't experienced its demands before.