Find all previous Seymour Biz racing previews in his weekly column: Saturday Horse Racing Tips.
Cheltenham holds its Christmas meeting this week with the highlight being the December Gold Cup on Saturday. ITV are covering this race plus three others from Prestbury Park but the fields look somewhat disappointing.
The other card being covered is from Doncaster, weather permitting, where three races are covered, including a juvenile hurdle where some exciting 3-year-olds look to strut their stuff.
I have looked through these cards for some pre-Christmas value and here are my thoughts on the televised races and this week’s Lucky Fifteen.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
1.50 Cheltenham. Frero Banbou
3.35 Cheltenham. Nina The Terrier
1.30 Doncaster. Nusret
2.40 Doncaster. Heroique de Maulde
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
The first televised race on the Cheltenham card is the 1.50 the Ais December Gold Cup Handicap Chase, a 2m 4 1/2f contest. The top weight here is Sam Thomas’s Stolen Silver who won here at Cheltenham in April but fell three from home in the Paddy Power last month.
That race looks like the answer to this as several of the protagonists reoppose here and the closest to the winner was Paul Nicholls’s Il Ridoto who finished fourth that day and it was only a blunder at the last that stopped him finishing closer up the order.
Others who were in that field, Deyrann de Carjac – Storm Control – Simply The Betts, make little appeal.
Joe Tizzard’s War Lord was very consistent last season and started this campaign with a third at Exeter in November. He can be placed again.
Nicky Henderson’s Fantastic Lady won on her seasonal reappearance at Market Rasen last month in a Listed race but this looks tougher.
Venetia Williams’s stable is really firing and she has Frero Banbou in the lineup, and he has run well in his last two contests both of which were at Ascot. So I find myself between Il Ridoto and Frero Banbou and the latter just gets the nod from me.
At 3.35 it is the Cheltenham Mare’s’ Handicap Hurdle run over 2m 4f. The favourite here is Nicky Henderson’s Theatre Glory who won five out of six last season including a win here at Cheltenham on her final start. She unseated her rider on her seasonal reappearance at Newbury last month but this is her optimum trip.
Lucy Wadham’s Martello Sky won this race last year and returns to defend her crown. She has been runner-up on both of her outings this season and may have to settle for a place once more.
I Spy A Diva has won three small races this season for Kim Bailey but this is a step up in class.
Alan King’s Nina The Terrier was fifth here at Cheltenham in the Greatwood last month and the trainer says she will be suited by the ground, she looks ideal for this.
I will also mention Harry Fry’s Lady Adare who is unbeaten in four outings but is due to be stepped up in class, she can also go close.
Moving north to Doncaster at 1.30 it is the bet365 Summit Juvenile Hurdle run over 2m 1/2f. Joseph O’Brien runs Nusret who won at Punchestown on his hurdling debut last month. He looks like he will take all the beating.
Milton Harris’s Scriptwriter is unbeaten in two starts and is sure to go well. Harris won this last year and has another runner with Polyphonic who only lost second in the final strides on his hurdling debut. He can improve on that run.
Anthony Honeyball’s Trojan Horse won at Fontwell last month. He has come to Honeyball from Mark Johnston’s yard and could be anything. He may be placed at a nice price.
The Bet Boost At bet365 Handicap Chase is at 2.40 and is run over 2m 3f. Dr Richard Newland has the top weight with Wicked West but he has failed to get off the mark in three attempts this season and looks to have too much weight here.
Nicky Henderson’s Full Of Light has pulled up in two of his last four contests and is probably best watched.
Lizzie Quinlan’s Getaway Luv was a winner at Catterick last month and a reproduction of that would see him go close but he has a 6lbs penalty for that win.
Another who won recently was Maninsane for Charlie Longsden at Huntingdon but that was a very poor race and much more would be required here.
I like the French import to James Ewart’s yard Heroique de Maulde who was an unlucky loser at Newcastle last month going down by a short-head. He can make amends here.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
1.50 Cheltenham. Frero Banbou
3.35 Cheltenham. Nina The Terrier
1.30 Doncaster. Nusret
2.40 Doncaster. Heroique de Maulde
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
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