Hi all,
Cheltenham’s December meeting gets underway on Friday. It’s the first of two days of racing and it looks like a pre-Christmas cracker.
You can watch the best of the action on ITV4 this afternoon. The broadcaster is covering five races live from Cheltenham and as a bonus two from Bangor.
Cheltenham
The first two of the seven races on the Cheltenham card are not on ITV but both are interesting contests.
12:05 – British EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (Class 3) – 2m 1f
Nicky Henderson has saddled the winner of this race twice since 2019 and he’s got an impressive record in non-handicap races at this meeting with runners returned 7/1 & under (8-16 +18.21) since 2018. He runs Kintail who overcame greenness to win at Warwick on his hurdle debut last month and is capable of further improvement. He’ll need to have improved though as he faces a formidable opponent in Dysart Enos. The mare unbeaten on all three bumper starts last season, including a Grade 2 at Aintree, in April made a winning hurdle debut at Huntingdon 31 days ago. The drying ground will suit the mare and with a bit of an improvement in her jumping looks likely to be one of the leading players in the mares’ novices hurdle division this season.
12:40 – Cheltenham & South-West Racing Club Novices’ Chase (Class 2) – 2m 4 ½ f
A rarity in Britain, a novice chase with what looks like a deep field, despite just the six runners and arguably the best novice chases we’ve seen this side of the Irish Sea so far this season.
Winner of 3 out of 4 starts over hurdles last season, including a Grade 2 at Warwick, Grey Dawning won well on his second start over fences at Haydock (2m 5 ½ f) 20 days ago and is capable of more improvement in the sphere.
Ginny’s Destiny, a bumper and hurdler winner for previous trainer Tom Lacey. Looked even better when making a winning stable/chase debut here at the last meeting. He jumped well last time and is open to further progression over fences.
Crebilly, a progressive novice hurdler last season, was in the process of running a big race on chase debut when falling two out in the race won by Ginny’s Destiny here last month. He would have gone close but for that mishap and with a clear round shouldn’t be far away.
Trewlane won both starts in a light campaign over hurdles last season and bettered his hurdles form when making a winning chase debut at Carlisle (2m 4f) last month. He might want further in time but expect more to come from him in this discipline.
Useful handicap hurdler Tritonic, jumped soundly and found plenty for pressure when making a winning chase debut at Wincanton (1m 7 ½ f) 20 days ago. He was a probably a fortunate winner the last day as one of his rivals was going much better when falling two out. Step up in trip is a positive and he’s not ruled out.
1:15 – Catesby Estates Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) – 2m 1f
I’ve given up on Irish challenger Thecompanysergeant albeit I think the top-weight remains on a workable mark and won’t be inconvenienced if the ground continues to dry out.
Panjari has progressed with each of his three starts over hurdles this season. Needs to improve again on handicap hurdle, which is likely and is very much in the mix for Paul Nicholls.
Doddiethegreat returned from a mammoth 746-day layoff to win at Ascot three weeks ago and maintain his unbeaten record under Rules. He hasn’t been the easiest to keep sound but remains with potential in the sphere.
Donnacha, a winner of a Chepstow novice on his seasonal return in October, improved again when a 2 ¼ length 2nd of 17 to Impose Toi on handicap debut here last month. The handicapper has put him up 5lb for that effort but he’s going the right way and my idea of the winner.
1:50 – Cheltenham Racecourse Food Bank Collection Mares’ Handicap Chase (Challenger Series Qualifier) (Class 3) – 2m 4 ½ f
Royale Margaux having secured victory five times in France over hurdles and fences when tained in France under. She showcased her best form in the UK when 2nd of 6 in a mares’ handicap chase here (2m ½ f) in April. Below par on her seasonal return here on October but has had wind surgery since.
Le Malmason a winner on hurdles debut last season, Securing a hurdles victory on debut last November, she displayed promise with a good third-place finish behind Found A Fifty in a Down Royal beginners chase last month. The winner has gone onto finish runner-up in a Grade 1 and the Irisg challenger can improve for the step into handicap company.
I Am Gonna Be a bumper/hurdle winner for her previous trainer made an encouraging start to her chase career when a 2-length 2nd of 12 at Ayr last month. Needs to jump better in this company but she’s capable of further progress over the larger obstacles.
Malaita was in fine form at the end of last season over hurdles winning at Carlisle and here in April. Has looked promising on both chase starts this season finishing runner-up at Ludlow and when a 2 ¼ length 4th of 9 at Warwick last time (Game For Glory, 2nd). Favoured by a sounder surface and I wouldn’t be surprised if she reversed form with the Lucy Wadham mare on better ground.
2:25 – Unibet Middle Distance Chase Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 2m 4 ½ f
Storm Control, twice a winner here over further, has his first start in veterans’ company on a return form a 11-month absence. No great record fresh 0-6 when returning from a 121+ day layoff but he’s well treated if ready to roll.
Le Ligerien has looked revitalized since joining Joe Tizzard earlier in the year, winning at Newbury in March and at Kempton last month. A 5lb rise isn’t harsh and the 10-year-old should be there or thereabouts.
Top Ville Ben’s best effort last season came when a 3-length 3rd of 23 in a valuable handicap chase (2m 5f) at the Dublin Racing Festival in February. The 11-year-old was travelling well out in front when taking a heavy fall at the 10th in a veterans chase at Aintree 47 days ago. If his confidence hasn’t been affected, he’s player with Harry Cobden an eyecatching jockey booking.
Top weight Sam Brown shouldn’t be ruled out either. The 11-year-old is a classy chaser on his day and he’s better than he was able to show on last month’s seasonal return at Wincanton. Had looked set to win a 3m handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival in April when falling two out. Drops back markedly in trip here.
3:00 – Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 3m 5 ½ f
Galvin and Minella Indo are the class acts. Galvin was runner-up to Delta Work in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Raced like the run was needed when a disappointing favourite (100/30) for the Cross-Country handicap here last month. Better expected here with that run under his belt.
Minella Indo won the 2021 Gold Cup and was runner up the following year. Not as good these days but won a Grade 3 at Punchestown on seasonal reappearance before a poor run in the Grade 1 Champion Chase at Down Royal last month. Needs respecting on his first start in this type of race.
Gesskille a consistent handicap chaser whose best form has come over the National fences. The 7-year-old posted a career best when winning last month’s Grand Sefton (2m 5f) at Aintree. He stays 3m 2f and looks set for a big run on his first start in the sphere.
Latenightpass, winner of the 2022 Foxhunters Chase at Aintree, ran well on his first start for Dan Skelton when a 1 ¾ length 2nd of 13 in the Cross-Country handicap at the last meeting. Up 3lb bit boasts leading claims.
Diesel D’Allier won this race in 2021 but doesn’t look the same horse now. He was well behind Latenightpass here last time and needs the re-applied cheekpieces to have a major galvanizing effect.
3:35 – Citipost Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) – 3m
White Rhino has improved with each start since going handicap hurdling with form figures 111212. Career best when a ¾ length 2nd of 2 (2m 5f) here last month. Up another 5lb but the step up to 3m could unlock further improvement from the 7-year-old.
Gyenyame got off the mark at the third attempt over hurdles when winning a Wincanton maiden in March. He’s finished runner-up on both starts this season looking in need of 3m when a rallying over 2m 5f here last time. Nudged up 2lb but another bold show expected.
Top weight Bold Endeavour is vulnerable to better treated rivals but was a respectable enough 6 ¾ length 5th of 15 to Slate Lane in Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at Haydock last time. Freddie Gordon takes off a handy 5lb and should give his running once more. Stablemate Captain Morgs won this last year from 3lb lower. Two starts over fences this season and isn’t weighted out of this back over hurdles if getting a well-run race.
Paricolor was back to form when a 5 ¾ length 3rd of 20 here (2m 5f) last month (White Rhino, 2nd). Three mile suits the 7-year-old better than 2m 5f and he gets a 4lb pull in the weights with White Rhino. Must be high on the shortlist.
Fontana Ellissi finished runner-up on his last two starts here last autumn. The 7-year-old proved his stamina for 3m when a ¾ length 2nd of 12 when last seen in action 398 days ago. Can race off the same mark here and although better ground would be more suitable, he’s handicapped to go well if ready to roll after his long absence.
Bangor
A quick look at the two Bangor races live on ITV Racing.
1:30 – First Lord De Cuet needs to jump better than he did when falling at Chepstow last month. However, he’s on a handy mark and this represents a drop-in class for the 9-year-old a first win over fences could be forthcoming.
2:05 – Butler’s Brief got a good ride and showed a good battling attitude to prevail at Kelso last month. A 5lb rise makes life tougher for the top weight but he should give his running once more. My preference though is for Astronomic View. The 6-year-old is less exposed, just four starts over hurdles, and looked to have improved when a 3 ¼ length 2nd of 7 on handicap debut at Exeter (good to soft)19 days ago. Won a bumper on heavy ground and although he’s up nearly five furlongs in trip if he stays should go close.
Betting Advice:
Friday’s selections and betting advice will be with you tomorrow morning so watch out for my update.
Cheers
John