Monday's Stratford racing tips: Esprit De Somoza can begin the week right for punters
- Planet Sport writer
- 14 March 2022
One day to go and it’s safe to say, we all have the pre-Cheltenham Festival nerves. Why not keep yourself occupied by looking at some hot tips from Monday’s racing at Stratford on March 14.
Left panicking about what horses to pick on the opening day of Cheltenham for Tuesday? Or more flustered that all of your friends have suddenly become horse racing experts and are checking the weather every two seconds?
Either way, forget about it, because today can be the start of a successful week and we can kick that off at Stratford.
Here's a quick run through of the our top fancies for Monday's racing at Stratford. You can follow all the action in our live centre.
13:45 Stratford - Bob's Bar
14:20 Stratford - Fleurman
14:55 Stratford - Esprit De Somoza
15:30 Stratford - Osprey Call
16:05 Stratford - Diable De Sivola
16:40 Stratford - Royale Dance
14:55 Stratford - Esprit De Somoza
Esprit De Somoza has maintained his form this term and another victory is on the cards in the Bobby Brown Retiral Handicap Chase at Stratford.
He won top honours at Wincanton in December off a mark of 110 and is now some 8lb higher after a couple of fair subsequent efforts in defeat.
Third back at Wincanton in January he was last seen taking second place at Taunton last month, proving he is quite versatile in terms of trip as that was over two miles and seven furlongs while he previously won over two and a half miles.
14:20 Stratford - Fleurman
Jane Williams sticks to a longer distance this time and any drying of the ground would be in his favour.
There was a good word for Fleurman before he made his hurdling debut and while he had to settle for third on that occasion, he showed himself to be useful in winning as he liked next time up at Market Rasen.
He was in the Triumph Hurdle until the latest forfeit stage and a fair bit may yet be heard of the Olly Murphy runner, starting in the Join RacingTV For Cheltenham Juvenile Hurdle.
15:30 Stratford - Osprey Call
Osprey Call fell twice earlier in the season before a sole outing over fences when down the field at Hereford in January.
Alastair Ralph's gelding was switched back to timber when scoring at Warwick last month and he is capable of kicking on from that performance.
Castel Gandolfo has to enter calculations on his return from a break, having disappointed when last seen at Cheltenham in December, while Restandbethankful could bounce back after being pulled up at Musselburgh.
