Breaking It Down: Murt Khan's horse racing tips for Friday November 17

Horse Racing

Fri November 17, 2017 · 7y ago

Pro punter and National Hunt specialist Murt Khan has three picks from the opening day of Cheltenham's November Meeting.

3.35 Cheltenham preview

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CALETT MAD did well over fences last season and ended up being rated 147.

He is still a five-year-old and open to improvement. It's been an interesting switch to hurdling for his last two runs.

I loved the way he went about his business last time out over 3m and saw off his field in very convincing fashion beating a good yardstick in Robbin'hannon.

Today he takes a step back in trip but he has the class factor and is likely to get a real positive ride from Daryl Jacob. The horse isn't afraid of a battle and I'm hoping his stamina and class prove decisive today.

I love Momella as an individual, she gets a lot of weight today and I can see her running a big race despite the step up in class.

On The Blind Side was very professional in victory late October but this is a much stronger race.

Poetic Rhythm re-opposes Vision Des Flos and even with the weight turnaround I can see the outcome being the same.

2.25 Cheltenham preview

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I expect the step up in trip to be no problem for MOVEWITHTHETIMES today. He was a bit rusty at his fences on his chase/seasonal debut and should be much sharper for that run. He gets a handy 8lb from Finian's Oscar and for me the price disparity is far too great; 7/2 looks overpriced for the improving Paul Nicholls-trained novice.

1.15 Cheltenham preview

OXWICH BAY was a frustrating loser for followers a week ago as it was a case of bumping into one in a rough-run race. Mitchell Bastyan could never relax in the race on the five-year-old as there was scrimmaging in amongst the pack for the first two thirds of the contest. When he got clear daylight he surged away from the pack quite effortlessly but got blindsided by one up the rail. Adam Wedge takes the ride today and I expect him to be very patient in this big field handicap. He's due to go up 6lb in the weights and if turned out in the same form as Warwick should go very close.