Hi all,
I’ve got a busy weekend with non-racing matters, but I’ve managed to get Saturday’s column done.
It was soggy for day one of Cheltenham’s November Meeting, but two winners and an each-way fourth made for a profitable start for subscribers.
Hopefully some readers used the handicap hurdle method I highlighted in yesterday’s column – both winners could be found using it.
Inside today’s main piece I’ve gone through all seven Cheltenham races, plus the two ITV contests from Wetherby. It’s a heavily abridged version of my full Saturday preview sent to subscribers.
If you want my complete Cheltenham preview and final Saturday selections, you can get them here.
Cheltenham November Meeting – Day 2
Cheltenham must pass a 7:30am inspection to confirm if racing can go ahead. It depends on whether more rain than forecast lands on Friday night into Saturday morning. Fingers crossed the course avoids the worst of it. Otherwise, there’s a real chance they won’t be able to race. If that happens, hopefully the Paddy Power Gold Cup can be switched to Sunday’s card.
If racing does take place day two of Cheltenham’s November Meeting promises another cracking afternoon of sport. The highlight of a seven-race card being the Paddy Power Gold Cup.
12:35 – JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) – 2m
James Owen chases a third straight win in this race with Hallelujah U. He’s an interesting recruit from the Flat but soft ground could catch him out. Happy to watch.
1:10 – Debenhams Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 3m1f
Tony Martin’s Aurea Fortuna has found his stride, scoring at Galway and Punchestown this year. He remains unexposed at three miles and looks well in.
Herakles Westwood is a solid jumper and goes well fresh. If this isn’t a prep for Welsh Grand National, he’s a live danger.
Jubilee Express needs a serious test of stamina at this trip but is in the mix if getting it on return. While last year’s second and third – Java Point and Planned Paradise have claims.
1:45 – Paddy Power Arkle Trial (Grade 2) -2m
July Flower jumped well to win at Limerick on chase and handles soft but is plenty short enough in a deep race.
Burdett Road was the best of these over hurdles and is interesting on chase debut.
Be Aware, a winner on chase debut is closely matched with Burdett Road on last season’s Greatwood Hurdle and looks a big player.
French challenger Stencil was a disappointing favourite for the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Festival. He’s better than that and has the size to mark his mark over fences. Get’s the 4yo allowance and looks a strong contender.
2:20 – Paddy Power Gold Cup (Premier Handicap) – 2m4f
I covered the race in Thursday’s column which you can read here.
2:55 – From The Horses Mouth Podcast Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) – 3m
Supremely West shaped well on stable debut over C&D last month and is on a winnable mark. Needs to jump better than last time but is the one to beat. Kikijo looks the main danger if building on his Aintree fourth when unsuited by a slowly run race.
3:30 – Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) – 2m5f
Royal Infantry should come on for his Chepstow return and handles soft. French Ship won here (2m4f) last month and remains progressive. Yard going through a quiet spell.
Kap Boy, De Temps En Temps and Last Rodeo all enter calculations. The latter went into the tracker after his run behind French Ship here and is capable of better. C'Est Different ended last season winning form but return from a long break off 18lb higher so needs to take another step forward
4:00 – Mares’ Listed Bumper (Class 1) – 2m½f
Irish challenger Celestial Tune looks the form pick. Rock Sensation and Edith Pelham head the dangers. The latter showed a good attitude to win at Aintree on stable debut and is from a yard that’s won this twice since 2013.
Wetherby
3:10 – Introductory Hurdle (Class 2) – 2m
Fresh Perspective impressed when winning on hurdle debut at Fontwell and looks the one to beat if jumping better. Minstrel Knight, a useful flat handicapper, is rare NH runner for Edward Bethell. He goes well on soft ground and can go well if taking to jumping.
3:43 – Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 2m3½f
Unexposed over fences Issam looks ready to strike on return to action for a yard in good form. Goes well on soft ground. Cerendipity a consistent handicap chaser has race fitness on his side after a good second to Be Aware at Stratford last month. Needs a good stamina test and can go close if he gets it.
There will be a rare Sunday column this week. It looks a cracking day’s action both sides of the Irish Sea. At Cheltenham it’s the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle and at Navan the Troytown Handicap Chase.
If you want my full Sunday preview and selections, you can get them here.
Good luck with your Saturday bets.
John