THE Cheltenham groundstaff did a brilliant job to make racing happen today at the home of jump racing. For Saturday they have a 7.30am inspection and let’s hope after today’s racing that the course will be raceable. There is plenty to look forward to with the Unibet International Hurdle Grade 2, as well as the Albert Bartlett Grade 2 and the December Gold Cup Handicap.

Looking forward to being at Cheltenham and enjoy whether on course or watching at home on ITV Racing and Racing TV.

Cheers!

The Wine Tipster.

1.15 Cheltenham – Lycetts Insurance Brokers Handicap Chase (2m ½f)

Editeur Du Gite is looking to follow up his success in this race last year after having won at the November meeting too. This season on seasonal debut at The Showcase meeting this front runner, who was marked up in my Unibet blog, was held up on that occasion with a change of tactics and finished over twelve lengths third to Dads Lad. That was simply not his running and surely Editeur Du Gite will set off in front this time over his ideal trip to secure his third victory at Cheltenham.

1.50 Cheltenham – AIS December Gold Cup Handicap Chase (2m 4½f)

Coconut Splash (nap) has only been out of the first three once in ten career starts and has strong each way claims for Evan Williams, who won this race last year with Coole Cody. Coconut Splash ran well on seasonal debut at Wetherby when third to Overdrive (runner-up to L’Homme Presse next time out) at Wetherby back at the end of October. On his penultimate start in February he was second to The Widdow Maker at Exeter, with Gustavian twelve lengths back in third. Coconut Splash has the pedigree to appreciate the good going, and if suited by these conditions, can come from off a strong pace to make a late challenge over a trip which is perfect for him.

Fern Hill looks overlooked here for the Ben Case team after a career best performance on his most recent start at Uttoxeter when winning comfortably over two miles six and half furlongs, after idling in front after the last. That was on soft going and on his previous appearance Fern Hill was runner-up on good ground at Chepstow. Fern Hill can progress again, will definitely get the trip and if taking to Cheltenham has each way claims at minimum.

Money Back if 2nd or 3rd*

2.25 Cheltenham – Unibet International Hurdle Grade 2 (2m 1f)

First Street is the each way selection to give Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson a 1-2 here with favourite Epatante Unibet 11/10  getting her ground and showing last time out when second to their stablemate Constitution Hill that she ran perfectly well. First Street was marked up in my Unibet blog for the Gerry Feilden at Newbury and was super impressive in giving Grivetana 25lb to win easily last time out with a career best performance. Remember also that First Street was second to State Man in the County Hurdle, who has won the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle this season. It is interesting here that Nicky Henderson has decided to run First Street against his stablemate Epatante and Seven Barrows will dominate here.

Unibet are top price every runner in this race (from 9am)*

3.00 Cheltenham – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Grade 2 (3m)

Outlaw Peter looked all quality at Exeter last month at their Haldon Gold Cup meeting when winning easily, as he beat Sporting Ace by nearly 20 lengths after drawing clear from three out. This impressive looking individual was winning for the second time over hurdles, having won a maiden at Kempton back in May on good ground. Outlaw Peter looks the type to thrive at Cheltenham, with ground conditions to suit and can hold off main challenger Weveallbeencaught.

3.35 Cheltenham – Molson Coors Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (2m 4½f)

Nina The Terrier ran a cracker in the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle when finishing fifth and would have been third but for losing touch with the front two as they quickened up on the flat and lost two places late on in a race where three hurdles were omitted. Remember the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle is over two miles and half a furlong, with Nina The Terrier looking sure to come on for that run and we know she gets this trip, as she showed when giving Larry G a chunk of weight, when only beaten a length in the Mares EBF Final at Newbury last season.

Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race*