The home of jump racing returns to takes centre stage with Cheltenham’s two-day International Meeting, featuring today’s Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase in the centre of the course. Always a fascinating spectacle and one of my favourite races, this year sees an intriguing entry with 2017 Champion Hurdle favourite Yanworth looking to continue to revitalise his career against some real cross-country specialists. On course, for some festive cheer, check out the retail offerings and make sure you taste the lovely Glenfarclas Scotch Whiskies.
Saturday sees a typically competitive renewal of the Gold Cup Handicap and a fascinating Unibet International Hurdle Grade 2, with Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson playing a strong hand. His exciting Triumph Hurdle winner and Aintree victor Pentland Hills can put himself right in the Champion Hurdle picture with success here, whilst Nicky also has the highest rated in the field Call Me Lord, who has a strong chance too. Could Nicky Henderson have the first two home?
See you there!
Friday
1.20 – Cheltenham Handicap Hurdle 2m 1f
Three-year-old Repetitio trained by Nigel Hawke runs off 10st 2lb with all the allowances and can strike here in the way his contemporary and stablemate Guardia Top did at Sandown last Saturday.
Repetitio has been very consistent, only finishing outside the first three on one of his six jump starts. Following an excellent third to Allmankind in a Grade 2 at the November Meeting he has a cracking chance here on ground that will suit.
Unibet 17/2 each way
2.30 – Cheltenham Handicap Chase 3m 2f
Cogry on his fifteenth start at Cheltenham can follow up his 2018 success and secure his fourth course victory, holding off other Prestbury regulars Singlefarmpayment and West Approach.
Cogry showed himself to be in fine form when third behind The Conditional and West Approach (will reverse placings) and these days we know whatever the conditions he is the most likely to run his race in this field.
Unibet 5/1 each way
3.05 – Cheltenham Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase 3m 6f
Chic Name for the inform Richard Hobson is having his third start over the cross-country course, having finished fifth to Tiger Roll at 100/1 at The Festival 2018 and third here in November to Diesel D’Allier. On that occasion he jumped and travelled with
great enthusiasm before getting outpaced and then staying on impressively after the last.
He will strip much fitter today, as he normally takes a run or two to achieve peak fitness so should be spot on now with the forecast benefitting his chances.
Unibet 10/1 each way.
3.40 – Cheltenham Handicap Hurdle 3m
Champers On Ice (nap) is going for a three-timer this season after impressive front running performances at Flos Las on soft and Newbury last time out on good to soft. Tom Scudamore gets a great tune from Champers On Ice and his jumping at Newbury was sleek, backed by a perfectly judged ride.
With the David Pipe yard in great form they can look forward to toasting another success with the classy Champers On Ice.
Unibet 13/2 each way
Debestyman had some very decent novice form to his name and showed it to be no fluke when an excellent sixth at Newbury last time behind Champers On Ice (4lbs better off today). Expect him to be ridden much closer to the pace this time and he looks booked for a place.
Unibet 12/1 each way
Saturday
1.55 – Cheltenham Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Handicap 2m 4f Chase
Secret Investor, trained by Paul Nicholls, who has trained five of the last ten winners, can secure another winner off a big weight for the Ditcheat team. His charge was given a bold ride at Down Royal when second to Real Steel in a Grade 2 last month, when jumping and travelling well for a long way. He was certainly building on his two impressive victories at Wincanton and in a Grade 2 at Ayr respectively, looking most progressive.
Unibet 6/1 each way
Not That Fuisse must be worth each way punt off an attractive mark of 131 carrying 10st 2lb. This step back up to 2m 4f looks sure to suit as the shorter trip around Warwick didn’t bring out the best in him last time out, whereas his second to Al Dancer here in October was a very smart performance.
This six-year-old can take a hold, so a big field is ideal to help him settle better, and he can run a big race for the Dan Skelton team.
