AN exciting second day ahead at Cheltenham’s November Meeting with the feature Gold Cup Handicap Chase looking a very competitive renewal. The ground will likely to be officially good to soft, however it looks sure to suit those horses who are effective on good going and there will be plenty of pace on here.
Third Time Lucki is heavily odds-on at 2/5 with Unibet to follow up his October victory at the Showcase meeting in the Novices’ Chase at 1.40. I was at the course to see this performance by Third Time Lucki on his chasing debut as he pulled himself to the front and then put in some prestigious leaps on good ground. This was the highlight of the Showcase meeting and Third Time Lucki is in my Ten To Follow.
I’m looking forward to being at Cheltenham on Saturday. Enjoy whether at Cheltenham or watching #athome.
Cheers!
The Wine Tipster
1.05 Cheltenham – Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (3m 1f)
Fact Of The Matter missed Friday’s Cross Country Race to go for this, where he creeps into the bottom of the weights. He ran a very good race at The Showcase meeting when always in the front group and jumping well in a good rhythm to finish second to Strictlyadancer, who reopposes today. Fact Of The Matter relishes these conditions and will run another big race.
Dawson City retains all his enthusiasm and won a veterans event at Cartmel back in May on his last start. This 12-year-old will handle the conditions and you can expect to see him staying on well up the hill.
2.15 Cheltenham – Gold Cup Handicap Chase (2m 4f)
Midnight Shadow (nap) ran very well on seasonal reappearance to finish third on good ground behind Allmankind in the Old Roan at Aintree and would have been much closer but for a mistake two out when coming to challenge. He was the Dipper winner here in 2020 and finished second in December to Chatham Street Lad. Ground conditions will suit and his promising run at Aintree will have put him spot on.
Manofthemountain is most effective at this trip and he won here in April beating Magic Saint on good ground. Manofthemountain did run over a longer trip at the 2020 Showcase meeting when fourth to Frodon over three miles one furlong, yet he is clearly more suited by a shorter trip. Manofthemountain ran well for a long way at Chepstow on his seasonal debut when second to Paint The Dream, who reopposes today. Conditions will suit Manofthemountain and he has to be an each way play here.
2.50 Cheltenham – Handicap Hurdle Listed (3m)
Proschema certainly stepped up to three miles at Wetherby last time out when second to the very smart Indefatigable, keeping on at one pace. Back in April he certainly scooted up the hill here when winning over three and half furlongs shorter and he looks sure to stay today’s trip. He is the one to beat and looks to have been well placed by Dan Skelton.
3.25 Cheltenham – Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (2m 5f)
Mackelduff is going for a three-timer here, having won at Southwell in May and then after a summer break he won impressively at Aintree last month on good ground. There was plenty to like about this performance as he really quickened away from the rest of the field in good style. There is more improvement to come here, and he has a strong chance.
