Cheltenham’s November meeting comes to a close on Sunday, with a pair of Grade 2’s headlining the card. The two-mile Shloer features a titanic clash between Put The Kettle On, Nube Negra and Politologue, while an exciting renewal of the Supreme Trial is headlined by the unbeaten pair I Like To Move It and Washington.
We’ll have horse racing tips for all the ITV action, including a devilishly competitive renewal of the Greatwood Hurdle. It’s small fields on Sunday at Prestbury Park, so I’ve chosen two against the field in that aforementioned handicap. They look set to out-run their huge odds and you can find all the details below.
Since 2000, 13 horses have won the Greatwood off a weight of 11st or lower. Class doesn’t always win out the day and my first selection is the unexposed Straw Fan Jack (25-1), who was thought well enough to contest the Grade 1 Mersey at the Aintree Festival. He was outclassed that day, but made a very encouraging return over course and distance last month.
Carrying top weight at a lower level, he ran a screamer to finish second, beaten just a head despite a modest gallop not being totally ideal. He’s entitled to step forward from that now he’s race fit and a two-pound rise is far from harsh. This venue clearly plays to his strengths and granted a strong pace to aim at, he can surely fill the frame under three-pound claimer Sean Houlihan.
He’s perhaps not an outsider if you look purely at his market position, but Botox Has (20-1) shouldn’t be his current price. Gary Moore has his string in electric form and this five-year-old simply loves Cheltenham. Don’t believe me? Well, his Prestbury Park record at around two miles reads 211 and he was mainly progressive last term.
Things didn’t go his way at the end of the campaign, but I’m willing to forgive that, as he seemingly wasn’t suited by a step up in trip. A strongly-run two miles on better ground should be right up his alley, especially back his beloved Cheltenham. Niall Houlihan is great value for his five-pound claim and provided a fall on seasonal return over fences has dented his confidence, he can play a leading each-way role.
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.