Ted's Treble: Trio of tips for Friday at Cheltenham's Showcase meeting

Fresh from an 11/2 winner with Sunjoy at Ludlow yesterday, Ed Quigley selects his three best bets on the cards for the opening day of the William Hill Showcase at Cheltenham on Friday 23 October. 

You can find Ted's tips for Day 2 of the William Hill Showcase here.

Cheltenham - 1.15 French Ship e/w

6/1 @ William Hill

FRENCH SHIP was in the process of running a big race at Chepstow in the Silver Trophy, but capsized three Hurdles from home, just as things were heating up at the business end of proceedings.

The yard have been in decent form in recent times, and French Ship can easily bounce back here on ground which should be much more to his liking this time around. There has been plenty of rain around in the last 24 hours, and a softer surface should enhance this individual's claims.

Cheltenham's stiff finish can bring his stamina into play, as he shapes like a horse that will excel over three miles in time.

I think this five-year-old could easily be better than a mark of 128 and looks as though he can get in the mix from an each-way perspective. Ben Jones takes the ride, and I like the claims of this combination.

More: Read our full William Hill Showcase at Cheltenham betting preview

Cheltenham - 3.00 Fortune De Mer

11/4 @ William Hill

This looks like a cracker, and I am going to give the nod to the Dan Skelton-trained FORTUNE DE MER. This previous bumper course winner looked in need of the run when third in a Maiden Hurdle at Uttoxeter on his first start in this discipline.

Connections seemed satisfied enough, and the team suggested that he would strip substantially more fit for that outing.

A return to this scene is a naturally positive move for the yard that won this race 12 months ago with Valgrand.

Headgear is applied for the first time, and providing this strong travelling sort can settle in the early exchanges, we can see a big performance here.

Want more? Find all your horse racing tips here.

Cheltenham - 4.45 Mole Court (e/w)

18/1 @ William Hill

It is time for the Amateur Jockeys in this Handicap Chase, and MOLE COURT won this race in 2023, and if he can put his best foot forward, then he has to come into the equation once again returning to Prestbury Park.

The Ben Pauling-trained eight-year-old has struggled a little bit in recent times, but showed signs that the old spark was there when third at Uttoxeter last time out - the individual's first start after a wind operation.

From a handicapping point of view, he is starting to make plenty of appeal, as he is now eased to a mark of 115 - the same mark as when landing this race in 2023.

Likely to have been primed for this, it would be far from a shock if he got into contention here. Mr James King takes the ride and this combination look to have a solid each-way chance.

Ted's Talk: Read what Ben Pauling had to say when Ed Quigley caught up with him earlier this week.

Ted's Treble for Cheltenham Friday

Cheltenham - 1.15 French Ship e/w (6/1 William Hill)

Cheltenham - 3.00 Fortune De Mer (11/4 William Hill)

Cheltenham - 4.45 Mole Court (e/w)  (18/1 William Hill)

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Odds correct at the time of writing.