Friday 12th December 2025
Cheltenham
NAP: CALIFET EN VOL – (12.40)
NB: LUCKY MANIFEST – (3.35)
12.05: KINGSTON QUEEN was placed in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree back in April, as well as winning a Listed event at Market Rasen the time before. She made the perfect start to life over hurdles with a decisive seven-length success at Chepstow on her seasonal reappearance, and she looks a nice prospect for David Pipe. She should prove to be a big player here with the weight allowance. (Win)
12.40: CALIFET EN VOL was a smart hurdler, winning twice, which included a Listed success at Huntingdon back in February. Trainer Nicky Henderson has a fantastic record in this particular contest and won it last year with none other than Jango Baie. This six-year-old is likely to take a big step forward now that he’s going over the bigger obstacles, and a bold showing here would be no surprise.. (Win) (NAP)
1.15: FORTUNE DE MER won a Grade 2 novice hurdle here at the October meeting on his second start of the campaign, and followed up with a very solid run on his handicap debut at Ascot last time out, travelling strongly before finishing a length second. He appears to still be on the upgrade, and should have another big say here for the Skeltons off a three-pound higher mark. (Win)
1.50: KING TURGEON won this race last year by three lengths off just a three-pound lower mark, and whilst he found things tough following that success, he should be a lot more competitive here off this mark and carrying a low weight. It was an encouraing seasonal reappearance at Aintree last time out when finishing sixth in the Grand Sefton, over a distance that was almost certainly too short. He should be a lot closer here. (Each-Way)
2.25: COURTLAND has been in very good heart as of late, with a string of placed efforts within competitive handicap company. Most recently, he finished a neck second to Twig in a Class 2 handicap at Sandown last month, and that rival has since gone on to win the Becher, giving the form a strong feel. Sean Bowen takes over in the saddle, and he has to have a fighting chance off the same mark as his Sandown run. (Each-Way)
3.00: J’ARRIVE DE L’EST is an interesting French-recruit for Emmet Mullins, winning on his penultimate outing at Auteil, and has form in these types of events with two victories to his name when trained in France. He’ll carry a low weight here and is a lot less exposed than the majority of his rivals. He could go under the radar here and prove to be a big player. (Each-Way)
3.35: LUCKY MANIFEST has been highly progressive in his last three outings for Tom Lacey, winning on handicap debut at Kelso in October, before following up with a fine second-placed effort when a length behind A Pai De Nom at this track at the November meeting. He kept on well that day, suggesting that this step up to three miles could unlock further improvement, and he has a leading chance. (Win) (NB)