Hi all,
It’s fair to say the Cheltenham December Meeting doesn’t carry the same kudos as the November fixture. The two days at Prestbury Park lacked star quality, but the racing was competitive and enjoyable.
Inside today’s main piece, I’m recapping Saturday’s action at Cheltenham and Doncaster.
Cheltenham December Meeting: Shock Results, Future Clues
In truth, Saturday’s racing was eclipsed by John and Amy Hunt. Anyone watching the ITV coverage will have seen the pair offer a powerful lesson in humanity. It was their day, a day to remember their late loved ones and quite rightly so.
Here's my Cheltenham review.
Minella Study Makes Cheltenham Statement on Long Journey South
It’s a long way from Seahouses in Northumberland to Cheltenham, but the journey proved well worthwhile for Minella Study. Trained by Adam Nichol, who was having his first runner at the track, it turned out to be a memorable one.
Minella Study had won the Listed Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle on his previous start and was giving weight to all bar one of his nine rivals when landing the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle. He’s progressing nicely over hurdles and there’s every chance we’ll see him back here in March, either in the Triumph Hurdle or the Fred Winter. He’ll be a big price in the former but wouldn’t be out of place, and the track clearly holds no fears. Rated just 69 on the Flat, he’ll be well treated for staying handicaps as a 4yo.
Zertakt Stays On Strongly to Land First Chase Success
Zertakt, caught close home by Dom Of Mary at Newcastle (3m6f) on his seasonal return just 14 days earlier, went one place better in the Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (3m1½f). It was a well-deserved first success over fences for the 7yo. He jumped soundly throughout and Charlie Deutsch gave him a well-judged ride, delivering him late to score in the shadow of the post.
Corach Rambler won this race in 2021, while last year’s winner Haiti Couleurs went on to land the National Hunt Chase at the Festival. That contest could be on the agenda for Zertakt, who remains unexposed over marathon trips.
Party Vibes Delivers After Strong Twiston-Davies Ride
Party Vibes enjoyed a ground-saving ride from Sam Twiston-Davies to win the Mares’ Handicap Chase (2m4½f). Back over fences, she stayed on strongly after the last to hold off Theonewedreamof and Realta Liath. Just three-quarters of a length covered the first three, and the third, who made a mistake at the second last, might well have gone very close. If you’ve backed one ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies, you’ll know you’re guaranteed maximum effort in the saddle.
Glengouly Springs 33/1 Shock in December Gold Cup
Thankfully, the sun stayed high, and all the fences were jumped in the Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup.
Glengouly, given a positive front-running ride by Sean Bowen, sprang a 33/1 shock. He was 7lb out of the weights but well treated on his best form for Willie Mullins, even if the 9yo hadn’t won for three years. It wasn’t a fluke, though this may prove the high point of his season. The winner controlled the gallop, but he also jumped better than his rivals.
Vincenzo, runner-up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, filled the same position again. It was another solid effort, but he never looked likely to reel in the winner after the last. Softer ground would have suited him better and he deserves to land a race like this.
Jagwar, unbeaten in two previous starts at Cheltenham, was sent off 11/4 on his belated seasonal return. His jumping was rusty, but it was still a good comeback. His errors told late on, and he had to settle for third, beaten 1¾ lengths. He needs to sharpen up his jumping, but there’s a decent pot in him this season. A slightly more positive ride might help as being held up in a modestly run race wasn’t the place to be.
David’s Well Stays Unbeaten Over Fences in Two Mile Thriller
I was very confident about David’s Well in the two-mile handicap chase, though less so once the ground dried out. He didn’t let me down though. He and JPR One fought out one of the finishes of the day, duelling all the way to the line with the 6yo just holding on in a thrilling finish.
David’s Well is now four from four over fences and is a rapidly improving two-mile handicap chaser at the right end of the handicap. His jumping was excellent and he remains open to further progress back on softer ground.
Full credit to JPR One, who was suited by the drying ground but was trying to concede 25lb to the winner. It was a fine effort in defeat, just finding a well-handicapped rival too strong.
Carlenrig Edges Tight Finish as Festival Picture Takes Shape
The Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle saw three promising young stayers fighting it out the finish which you can watch here.
It turned into something of a sprint from the home turn. Long-time leader and 11/10 favourite Conman John had set only a modest gallop, which didn’t play to his strengths, and he was caught late by Carlenrig and They Call Me Hugo.
Carlenrig was well ridden by Harry Skelton, who allowed him to drift towards the stands’ rail – a race-winning move. Given his inexperience this was a good effort from a horse who has the look of a three-mile chaser.
They Call Me Hugo came from further back to finish just a short head away. On another day he might well have got up.
As for the favourite, I’m not convinced it was the best of rides from Derek Fox. Given Conman John’s experience, a stronger test would have made more sense. Instead, he was outpaced when it mattered. It was a solid effort, but he should have gone a bit quicker earlier.
Both the winner and runner-up were cut for the Albert Bartlett at the Festival, while Conman John was pushed out to 33/1, which surprised me. He was conceding 3lb to the pair who finished in front of him, and I wouldn’t be surprised to reverse form if they all line up again here in March.
Nurse Susan Rolls Back the Years Over Familiar C&D
Nurse Susan completed a quick double for Dan and Harry Skelton in the concluding mares’ handicap hurdle (2m4½f). A winner of the race in 2023, she was 2lb below her last winning mark and took a big step forward from her Carlisle return to beat Siog Geal, who had finished well ahead of her last time.
Siog Geal had helped force a strong pace with leader Sweet Caryline which suited the winner. The leader was headed coming to the last by Siog Geal but Nurse Susan had her in her sights and she quicky asserted on the run in.
The winner a fragile mare, but back over C&D that suits, and with money down, she returned to her best. I was on the third, Game Colours, who was briefly outpaced turning in but rallied on the run in.
Doncaster
It was lesser fare for ITV viewers at Doncaster, but the action still produced a couple takeaways.
Docpickedme Delivers as Market Weakness Misleads
Docpickedme was easy to back in the Pennine Handicap Chase (3m) as support came for his rivals. That weakness proved misleading. Sent on from the front, he jumped soundly and found plenty when it mattered. A good leap at the last sealed the win as he held off Alcedo in game finish.
He clearly thrives around Town Moor. His Doncaster record now reads 1P21, and connections will have the Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase over this C&D firmly in mind, a race he landed last season.
The Listed bet365 Doncaster Mares’ Hurdle looked a golden chance for Kateira to notch a third Listed success. Instead, it fell flat. Held up in rear, the 11/10 favourite failed to pick up and could manage only third behind Lavida Diva. It was a lifeless effort, and I think three miles stretches her stamina. Lavida Diva, the 10/1 outsider, was a decisive winner, though this was a weak renewal for the grade especially with the favourite underperforming.
Lanesborough a Handicapper to Follow After Smooth Success
Lanesborough made a mockery of his mark in the concluding handicap hurdle (2m½f). Strongly backed on his seasonal return, he was always well placed and Ben Jones kept things simple. The drop back in trip posed no problem as the 6yo pulled clear for an easy success. A rise in the weights will follow, but he remains progressive and should be even better when returned to further and back on softer ground. I was on runner-up Williethebuilder, who is now on a good mark. He won’t face many as well treated as Lanesborough in races like this going forward.
Monday Preview
Monday’s feature is a seven-runner handicap (3:12) on the all-weather at Lingfield.
King’s Code arrives in form, having beaten Whitcombe Rockstar by 1½ lengths at Chelmsford over the trip 18 days ago. A 4lb rise is fair, and he could follow up given his current vein of form.
Whitcombe Rockstar is 4lb better off with King’s Code and is now 4lb below his last winning mark. The first time cheekpieces are applied which makes him of interest.
Storm Catcher, a former C&D winner, was well behind King’s Code at Chelmsford last time but has bounced back from poor runs before, so can’t be safely dismissed.
Hard Endeavor impressed at Kempton two starts back and the 3yo progressed again when fifth in a Listed race at Deauville 19 days ago. He’s interesting on handicap debut.
My Fermoy, another 3yo, got off the mark at Southwell at the sixth attempt. He could progress back up to 1m2f on handicap debut.
Tomorrow, I’ll be delving into the notebook for some future winners.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John