Hi all,
The ITV4 cameras will, weather permitting, be covering four races from Cheltenham and three from Doncaster this afternoon. In today’s preview I have looked at the best of the action from Cheltenham and Doncaster. My Saturday selections and betting advice can be found at the end of the main piece.
Cheltenham is the feature meeting with the headline races of a seven race card being the Grade 2 Unibet International Hurdle (2.25). The Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (3.00) and the December Gold Cup (1:50).
Due to the possibility of low sun the first race from Cheltenham on ITV4 is the most competitive of the day, the December Gold Cup.
Cheltenham
1:50 – AIS December Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (2m 4 ½ f)
Ante Post favourite Midnight River wasn’t declared on Thursday. Which means that Dan Skelton won’t be landing the weekend big handicap chase. Il Ridoto fourth in the Paddy Power last time is the new market leader but he’s one I’m happy to take on.
I was on Stolen Silver in the Paddy Power, and he was still in contention when unseating his rider three out. I’ve been waiting to see Frero Banbou run beyond 2m 1f. And I think the 7-year-old is open to some improvement for the new distance. He’s done well around her in the past and should be ok on good ground. Trainer Venetia Williams saddled the winner in 2014
Trainer Evan Williams thinks Coconut Splash will be suited by the tempo of a big field handicap. The 7-year-old was an encouraging 4 length 3rd of 7 to Into Overdrive at Wetherby on seasonal return However, he remains a maiden after seven starts over fences. Trainer won this last year with Coole Cody.
Fantastic Lady made a winning return to action in a Market Rasen mares only Listed Chase last month. Proved he stamina for 3m that day and shaped like she’s more of a stayer. However, she is versatile and can’t be dismissed back down in trip.
Fugitif needs to prove his stamina for an extended 2m 4 ½ f. There was plenty to like about his 1 ½ length 2nd of 8 to Amarillo Sky here over 2m last month. He looks on a competitive mark albeit in a better race here.
Irish challenger Sole Pretender is very effective on good ground. He’s yet to race beyond 2m 2f over fences but has won over 2m 4f over hurdles. He looks worth a go over the distance and isn’t totally dismissed.
Verdict: Stolen Silver must be high on the shortlist and I’m torn between Coconut Splash and Fugitif as my second pick.
2:25 – Unibet International Hurdle (2m 1f)
Five were left in the race at final declarations but one of them, Zoffanien, was declared to run on Friday.
Epatante could make a quick return to action, after being beaten by stablemate in Constitution Hill in the Fighting 5th. Her stablemate First Street could also run after his recent success in the Gerry Fielden Hurdle at Newbury on seasonal return. He handled the good ground well last time and although he’s got a bit to find with Epatante on ratings but he’s going the right way.
Knappers Hill, trained by Paul Nicholls, landed the four timer in the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle at Wincanton last month. All four successes have come on good/good to firm ground so underfoot ideal conditions will be ideal for the 6-year-old.
I Like To Move It made most to land the valuable Greatwood Handicap Hurdle here last month. Like First Street he’s an improver. However, I wonder whether the 5-year-old needs a bit more juice in the ground. Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies is 3-3 with his 5yo & 6yo runners in the race
3:00 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Registered As The Bristol Novices’ Hurdle) (3m)
Recent eyecatcher Weveallbeencaught a promising 10 ½ length 3rd of 7 to Hermes Allen here on hurdle debutshould be suited by the step up to 3m and looks set to give trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies a fifth success in the race. Thomas Mor made it 2-2 over hurdles when winning at Wincanton 23-days ago. Good ground suits the 5-year-old and he’s open to further improvement. Irish challenger Grand Soir has won his last two starts over hurdles at Kilbeggan and Cork, likes a sound surface and is another useful staying novice hurdler.
3:35 – Molson Coors Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (2m 4 ½ f)
Ten mares have been declared for this Class 2 handicap hurdle. Lucy Wadham won this 12 month ago with Martello Sky and that mare will bid to give the trainer a hat trick of successes in the race. She disappointed at Kempton last time, but the 6-year-old is back down to last year’s winning mark. Indefatigable was beaten neck by Martello Sky last year and can race off the same mark. If she bounces back from a poor run at Wetherby last time she won’t be far away. She was declared to run here on Friday.
The likely favourite is the Nicky Henderson trained mare Theatre Glory. The 5-year-old won a mares Listed novice hurdle over C&D in April but unseated her rider on return at Newbury two weeks ago. If that mishap hasn’t left a mark, she’s the one to beat.
Lady Adare completed a hat trick over hurdles at Taunton when last seen in action in February. The 6-year-old looks on a workable off 130 on handicap debut and is open to more progress. If he’s ready to roll on her seasonal return she’s one to seriously consider.
Nina The Terrier ended last season looking a progressive handicap hurdler when length 2nd of 11 in a valuable mares’ handicap hurdle at Newbury in April. Shaped well when runner-up on seasonal return at Chepstow but fell in a Listed race at Wetherby and struggled when 5th of 12 in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle here last time. Respected back against her own sex but looks vulnerable to an improvers.
Doncaster
1:30 – bet365 Summit Juvenile Hurdle (Listed Race) (2m ½ f)
This looks between Irish challenger Nusret and Scriptwriter. Both are unbeaten over hurdles and look like useful juveniles. Scriptwriter’s yard won this 12 months ago and he’s respected. Preference though is for Nusret who impressed on his hurdle debut at Punchestown and would be a genuine Triumph Hurdle contender was he to win here.
2:05 – bet365 Handicap Chase (3m)
Numitor has a good record in chases over shorter including a win here over 2m 3f in March. Yet to race beyond 2m 4f over fences but capable of going close if his stamina holds out.
Castle Robin won over C&D in February and is just 2lb above his mark when winning at Wetherby in March. Decent return to action when 4th of 10 at Kelso. Lost his action and pulled up at Cheltenham last month and can bounce back.
Storm Control can be bold jumping front runnerat his best although with Numitor and Castle Robin in the field won’t have an easy time out in front. Looked booked for first place when going clear two out in the Sky Bet Handicap Chase over C&D. Not disgraced when 8th of 14 in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase last time. Can idle close home and the first time visor replaces the blinkers.
2:40 – Bet Boost At bet365 Handicap Chase (2m 3f)
Not the strongest of races in truth. Heroique De Maulde looks a worthy favourite. The 5-year-old a dual winner when trained in France. Shaped well on first British start when a short head 2nd of 7 at Newcastle last month. Up 4lb but is going the right way and should be up to winning a race like this.
Croagh Patrick was a solid enough 2nd of 7 to Cooper’s Cross at Carlisle two starts back but ran a stinker when pulled up at Uttoxeter last time. If you’re happy to forgive the 7-year-old that performance, he would have claims for a yard that saddled the winner of this in 2019
Betting Advice:
It’s a low key day on the betting front.
Cheltenham
1:50 – Stolen Silver – 1pt win – 6/1 @ Coral and Fugitif – 1pt win – 10/1 @ Coral
2:25 – First Street – 1pt win – 9/2 @ Bet365 & Coral
Doncaster
2:05 – Strorm Control – 1pt win – 5/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John