Cheltenham Festival clues: three ante-post horses to follow on Saturday

Although the cold weather has set in across Britain and Ireland, hopefully it won’t impact racing too much and we should be treated to some decent action at Cork, Wincanton and Sandown. We have picked out three horses who could be worth monitoring with a look to the future.

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Khrisma
12.05 Sandown
Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Odds – 12/1

She hasn’t been seen in Britain yet but it will be very interesting to see what the market makes of Khrisma, who is making her British debut for JP McManus and Nicky Henderson in the opening 2m maiden hurdle. A dual Grade 3 bumper winner in France, the mare was last seen finishing third in a 1m5f Grade 1 contest in November 2023. She is already one of the market leaders for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and Nico de Boinville will take the ride.

Casheldale Lad
1.05 Cork
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Odds – 50/1

Gordon Elliott’s Casheldale Lad made a visually great impression when bolting up by 13 lengths on his hurdling debut at Gowran Park and if he wins this 2m1f novice hurdle readily, he will shorten a good deal for the Supreme Novices’. A winner on the Flat for Andrew Kinirons, he had a lengthy spell on the sidelines but showed no ill effects of that on his hurdling bow. He can only improve after being off the track for so long.

Unexpected Party
1.50 Sandown
Grand Annual Handicap Chase Odds – 12/1

Whatever he does at Sandown on Saturday, we will probably see Unexpected Party at his very best at Cheltenham in March. He certainly has the class to win this contest with a good claimer aboard and if not, then all roads lead to the Grand Annual, a race he won last season.

If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.

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