The third and final day of the November meeting at Cheltenham. It’s arguably the best in terms of quality with three Grade 2’s, a Grade 3 and a Listed contest. We saw an impressive winner of the feature handicap yesterday as Baron Alco claimed the Betvictor Gold Cup. Today a competitive renewal of the Greatwood Hurdle takes centre stage for five races on ITV4, four from Cheltenham and the Southern National from Fontwell. All our ITV Racing tips are live now!
Ground seems to be the key to Verdana Blue, who has produced two very stylish wins so far this season and has conditions to suit once again today. She has a five pound penalty for her Elite Hurdle success which means she is carrying plenty of weight, but a big run looks likely as long as the break of just a week doesn’t catch her out. Western Ryder is a fascinating runner on his first start of the season for Warren Greatrex. He brings Grade 1 form to the table having been fifth in the Champion Bumper and sixth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle here. In December last year he also beat subsequent Grade 1 winners Lalor and Summerville Boy at Cheltenham so a mark of 145 could be underestimating him. Silver Streak and Storm Rising have both won their last two and have to be feared.
Our Greatwood Handicap Hurdle tips are on site!
No Altior in the Shloer Chase, but there is still some classy horses taking to the track. Not least Sceau Royal, who was a Grade 1 winner at Sandown last season. He had the measure of Brain Power on that occasion, who fell at the final fence. Just four pounds splits the pair on ratings and the former carries a three pound penalty, so on that basis there is next to nothing in it today. Sceau Royal is four from five over fences though and Brain Power’s only win came in a novice around Kempton so the former may well have too much for him. Simply Ned gained a well-deserved Grade 1 win last season but may struggle conceding weight all round here and Le Prezien could make his presence felt following a promising comeback run over hurdles.
Our Shloer Chase tips are on site!
Cheltenham – Good, Good to Soft in places
Punchestown – Good, Good to Yielding in places
Cork – Yielding to Soft, Soft in places
Fontwell – Good to Soft, Good in places
12.15pm Cork – Killacolla (33/1 into 12/1)
3.40pm Cork – Sandycove Island (33/1 into 12/1)
3.50pm Fontwell – Arquebusier (10/1 into 11/2)
It was a mega day for us yesterday with a 204/1 winning acca and we have 43/1 and 10/1 Accumulator tips for today. Our NAP of the Day runs live on ITV4 at Cheltenham!
Paul Nicholls has won six of the last ten runnings of the Arkle Trial (1.50pm Cheltenham) and saddles Dynamite Dollars in today’s renewal.