THE final day of the November Meeting features the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, which looks as competitive as ever and a case can be for pretty much the whole field! This valuable race has become a strong form guide for the season ahead and is always an important reference when looking at The Festival with younger up-and-comers tending to dominate in recent times.
Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson is yet to win this important handicap hurdle and is strongly represented this year with Luccia and Iberico Lord, whilst Willie Mullins has Onlyamatteroftime right at the bottom of the handicap.
The Shloer Chase (Grade 2) over the minimum trip looks a cracker with Jonbon heading the market as odds-on favourite for Nicky Henderson, with Edwardstone the main challenger looking to return to form after his emphatic Tingle Creek success. Editeur Du Gite will love the conditions and had a pipe opener at the Haldon Gold Cup meeting. It will be disappointing if Jonbon doesn’t win this Grade 2 with his only defeat over fences to El Fabiolo in the Arkle and it worth remembering that from his 12 career starts he has 10 victories and two seconds.
Enjoy whether at Cheltenham or watching #athome on ITV Racing or Racing TV.
See you there!
Cheers!
The Wine Tipster
1.45 Cheltenham – Cheltenham Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (2m 4f)
Mr Saxobeat would have been in the places but for a race-ending mistake at the last here at the Showcase meeting, when he travelled up well enough and the fact this has cut up to just the seven runners will help his jumping, as he should get plenty of space to operate in (he can make the odd mistake). Mr Saxobeat handles pretty much any ground, and this will not take a lot of winning for a Cheltenham handicap.
2.20 Cheltenham – Jewson Handicap Chase (3m 3½f)
Rose Of Arcadia will love a slog in the mud, with her full record on soft/heavy ground reading 1214211. She came back from her summer break to score over hurdles at Newton Abbot, again displaying her reserves of stamina and was third on ground too quick for her here at the April meeting. She still ran a very creditable race, giving lumps of weight to the two that beat her that day. The Joe Tizzard yard continue in good form, and she looks sure to run her race again.
3.30 Cheltenham – Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (2m ½f)
Nemean Lion (nap) form figures of hurdles are 1231-1 with a good win on handicap debut off 135 at Ffos Las last month in the Welsh Champion Hurdle when beating Anyharminasking (reopposes) by a length and a half with the third well back. The acceleration and manner in which Nemean Lion travelled marked up him up as a type to go well and keep travelling to the line at Cheltenham. Nemean Lion has been raised to a mark of 140, with more to come and he can win off top weight, which is not prohibitive to success here in the Unibet Greatwood.
🏇 Nemean Lion
🏆 Unibet Greatwood HurdleHear from @beaubai & @richpatrick17 ahead of Sunday's feature race at @CheltenhamRaces pic.twitter.com/UmN8ChYOK5
— Unibet Racing (@UnibetRacing) November 17, 2023
Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race
Luccia has a live chance of giving Nicky Henderson his first Unibet Greatwood winner, as she was placed in a Grade 1 as a novice at Aintree last season, having finished fourth in the Grade 2 Jack de Bromhead Mares’ Novice Hurdle at The Festival. Her seasonal comeback at Wetherby in a Listed race saw her run well to finish second to You Wear It Well. Luccia is looking for her fifth victory on her eighth-career appearance and this talented mare can step up with conditions to suit.
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