Friday 13th December 2024
12.10 Cheltenham: British EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle: After a week off we return to action at Cheltenham for the first day of the December Meeting and we kick things off with the 12.10 which is a Class 3 novice hurdle that’s contested over two miles and a furlong. I’m strong on the chances of That’s Nice here for the team of Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. She’s a point winner who created a big impression on her rules debut when comfortably getting the better of Honky Tonk Highway at Warwick last month. That rival has since come out and won a Listed contest which boosts the form significantly, and I think the Henderson mare should be tough to beat here receiving weight from her rivals. That’s Nice – 11/10 (Win) (NAP)
12.40 Cheltenham: SSS Super Alloys Novices’ Chase: Next up is the 12.40 which is a Class 2 novice chase that’s contested over two miles and four and a half furlongs. I’m also strong on the chances of Caldwell Potter here for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. The expensive purchase has been a hot topic among racing fans since joining the Ditcheat team and he opened his account for his new connections at the first time of asking at Carlisle earlier this month, comfortably winning by five lengths on his chase debut. He’ll have to be better against this calibre of opposition, however, he could have a bit of star quality about him. Caldwell Potter – 11/10 (Win) (NB)
1.15 Cheltenham: Catesby Estates Handicap Hurdle: The third race of the afternoon is the 1.15 and this is Class 3 handicap hurdle action over two miles and a furlong. This is extremely competitive, however, I’ve come down on Wreckless Eric for the team of Jonjo & A J O’Neil who’s the mount of Kielan Woods. He made a strong late challenge when winning here at the November Meeting, getting the better of Cavern Club by a length who he’ll reoppose in this particular assignment. It’s almost certain that there’ll be further improvement from him and I think he has to be considered a live player in this. Wreckless Eric – 11/2 (Each-Way) (4 place firms)
1.50 Cheltenham: Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Coming Soon Handicap Chase: Our feature contest comes up at 1.50 which is a Premier Handicap Chase over three miles and two furlongs. I find it hard to oppose the top-weight here and that’s Chianti Classico for Kim Bailing and Ciaran Gethings. He won the Ultima here at The Festival back in March and returned to the track with more success in top handicaps when taking a Grade 3 handicap at Ascot at the beginning of November. It’s always tough for horses to carry top weight, however, he’s got a very likeable attitude and I think he’s got the measure of this opposition. Chianti Classico – 6/4 (Win)
2.25 Cheltenham: Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Chase Series Handicap Chase: We move into veteran company at 2.25 with a Veteran’s Handicap Chase over two miles and four and a half furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Raffle Ticket here who represents Mel Rowley and is the mount of Harry Cobden. He was last seen in May when getting the better of the useful Soul Icon at Aintree in a competitive handicap, which is solid form. He’s been raised eight pounds for a one-length success which seems harsh at face value, however, he did win comfortably enough on that occasion and if he turns up in the same kind of form here he’s got every chance of running a big race at a big price. Raffle Ticket – 12/1 (Each-Way)
3.00 Cheltenham: Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase: The penultimate race of the day comes up at 3.00 and this is the Cross Country Handicap Chase over three miles and five and a half furlongs. I think that this can go to another French raider in the form of Iceo Madrik for David Cottin and Thomas Journiac who takes off three pounds. He may be eleven pounds out of the handicap here, however, comes into the race in great form having won his last two outings within Cross Country company, with the most recent success coming in Listed company back in November. We saw a French winner over the banks here last month and I think we can have another here. Iceo Madrik – 7/2 (Win)
3.35 Cheltenham: Citipost Handicap Hurdle: Signing us off for the day will be the 3.35 which is a Class 2 handicap hurdle that’s ridden over a distance of three miles. I’m once again siding with Gowel Road here for the Twiston-Davies team. I’ve put him up for his last two outings, both of which came at this track, and in both, he ran well and finished second. He’s been nudged up a couple pounds for his latest run behind Doyen Quest but I don’t think that will be enough to prevent him from being firmly in the mix once again, at a track that he clearly enjoys. Gowel Road – 8/1 (Each-Way)
