3.00pm Cheltenham Tips & Betting Preview 18/11/2017

3.00pm Cheltenham tips for Saturday’s Listed race. Some very much in form types go to post for this three mile handicap hurdle, where a possible future Stayer’s Hurdler looms. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: Dell’ Arca was impressive on his latest start at Newbury but he’s now onto a career high mark and is vulnerable to the progressive THOMAS CAMPBELL. Nicky Henderson’s charge returned this season with a dominant victory over the three mile trip here and although he’s been raised ten pounds, James Bowen offsets seven pounds of that rise. He should prove very tough to beat as he still remains with huge amounts of potential.

1 DELL’ ARCA – Eight year old for David Pipe who tends to always run his race and was impressive when winning a Newbury Handicap by a wide margin on his latest start. He’s now ten pounds higher though which demands a career best and leaves him vulnerable to an improver. Each way claims.

2 THOMAS CAMPBELL – Returned this season with a highly impressive win over the three mile distance here last month, with a ten pound rise looking very lenient. James Bowen offsets seven pounds and with so much more to give as a stayer, he should be very tough to beat.

3 ROCKY’S TREASURE – Arrives here on a hat-trick for Kim Bailey, winning at Ffos Las in comfortable fashion on his latest start. He’s now eleven pounds higher in a much tougher race, but he has the potential and shouldn’t be discounted for the placings.

4 CONNETABLE – Five year old who had shown useful form towards the back end of 2016 but he’s lost his way in five runs this season for Paul Nicholls. He was well beaten behind Thomas Campbell on his latest start and makes no appeal here.

5 SOLATENTIF – Ran two good races at the 3m 2f distance for Colin Tizzard before struggling behind Thomas Campbell on his latest start at this venue. He never threatened to get involved and was only a short-head ahead of Rolling Maul, so he shouldn’t be good enough here.

6 KK LEXION – Returned to form on his return when third over the 2m 5f distance here last month, keeping on before finding little on the run. His stamina is a big question mark now upped to this distance but he’s an each way contender if he has enough stamina in the tank.

7 ROLLING MAUL – Returned to hurdling on his latest start with a disappointing ninth behind Thomas Campbell, readily outpaced three out where he was always on the back foot. He’s only a pound lower here and others are preferred.

8 ANTEROS – Won this race twelve months ago at 20/1 in the first-time cheekpieces, three pounds higher for this year’s renewal. He was no threat when falling at the last behind Thomas Campbell on his latest start and others are readily preferred this year.

9 NUITS PREMIER CRU – French raider for Emmanuel Clayeux who is unraced beyond the 2m 5f distance, with his stamina very much up for debate. He’s a half-brother to the top-class Grands Crus but he shouldn’t be good enough here.