Find all previous Seymour Biz racing previews in his weekly column: Saturday Horse Racing Tips.
This week, it is the Cheltenham Christmas meeting. On Saturday, ITVRacing are covering five races from the Gloucestershire track, which includes the December Gold Cup, a Class 1 Premier Handicap, and I have reviewed that below. This main race is backed up by three Class 2 handicaps and a Class 3 Mares’ Chase Handicap.
The other meeting being covered is at Doncaster, where three races are being televised, which include a Class 1 Listed Mare’s Hurdle and two Class 2 Handicaps, so plenty of competitive racing to look forward to this week, and here are my thoughts and this week’s Lucky Fifteen.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
1.50Cheltenham. Jagwar
2.25 Cheltenham. Triple Trade
2.05 Doncaster. Prince Zaltar
3.17 Doncaster. Lanesborough
Bet this lucky 15 on Bet365
Beginning at Cheltenham with the 1.50, the Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup Handicap Chase. This Premier Handicap is a Class 1 run over 2m 4 1/2f. Oliver Greenall & J Guerriero’s Jagwar had a stellar novice chase campaign last season with three victories from four outings in the run-up to the Cheltenham Festival. He justified favouritism there, winning the TrustATrader Plate. He now comes to play with the big boys, and this race could be a stepping stone to bigger things, including the move up to a Graded company.
Jamie Snowden’s Colonel Harry ran in Graded company last season without success, but returned to the fray at Aintree in November and won over the Grand National fences. A bold run is expected.
Sam Thomas’s Vincenzo finished last season as a model of consistency and ran a blinder to finish second in the Paddy Power here at Cheltenham. He will come on for that run.
Holy Joly Smoke is fancied in some quarters after two placed runs here at Cheltenham this season, but Dan Skelton’s charge has a tough ask here.
Paul Nicholls’s Il Ridoto has won twice at this course but was beaten 16 lengths in the Paddy Power in November after weakening approaching the last fence. He looks outclassed.
So I’m between Vincenzo and Jagwar, and the latter just gets the nod despite Vincenzo’s prior run because of the improvement he has shown.
The Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap Chase is at 2.25, this Class 2 race is run over the sharp 2m 1/2f. Joe Tizzard’s Jpr One has top weight of 12 st after running third in a Graded race at Exeter in November, then filled the same berth later in the month at Ascot in a Class 2 after tiring over the final furlong.
Chris Gordon’s David’s Well has looked special in his last three outings, and his win at Haydock last month was a fine win, but he steps up in class here.
Jane Williams’s Excelero is another stepping up in class after a victory in a Class 3 at Warwick last month.
Olly Murphy’s Gunsight Ridge won a Class 2 at Sandown last February, but his latest run was a poor 4th here at Cheltenham last month. He needs to drop down the handicap.
I like the other Joe Tizzard entry, Triple Trade, who looks on a good mark. He got home by a neck last month in a Class 3 here and seemed suited by the course. I fancy him to follow up.
Moving north to Doncaster, the 2.05 is the bet365 Pennine Handicap Chase. This Class 2 race is run over 3 miles. Top weight is Dan Skelton’s Joyeux Machin, who came over from Ireland after wins at Wexford in 2023, but he has not been the success hoped for. His latest run was in a Grade 3 at Haydock in November after a wind op the previous month, but he could only manage 8th. He needs to drop down the weights.
Skelton also runs the bottom weight Prince Zaltar, who joined the stable in September and promptly won at Newton Abbot. His latest run a month ago at Cheltenham was a good second, and he can improve on that.
Nicky Henderson’s Ile de Jersey has had a fine summer with three wins, but he looked out of sorts at Chepstow in October. Perhaps he prefers the sun on his back.
Richard Hobson’s Docpickedme ran well to finish third in a Grade 3 at Newcastle a fortnight ago. A repeat of that run should see him go close.
Alcedo won for Venetia Williams at Newcastle last month, but that was a lowly Class 4. This is much tougher, so I go for Prince Zaltar.
At 3.17, it is the Each Way Extra At bet365 Handicap Hurdle, a class 2 race run over 2m 1/2f. The top weight and favourite is Charlie Longsden’s Bowmore, who won a Class 3 at Newbury last month. He is upped in class, and he has plenty of weight.
Harry Derham’s Washington started this season with a victory at Chepstow in October, then flopped when upped in class three weeks later at Ascot.
Christian Williams’s Williethebuilder has been placed a couple of times this season, but this is tougher.
Faye Bramley’s Amancio ran second at Ludlow in October, then won at Sedgefield the following month, but they were both Class 4 novice contests, and this should be beyond his scope.
Last year’s form of Ben Pauling’s Lanesborough looks reasonably strong, and he finished his season with a win at Warwick in February. He is reported to have summered well and is stronger. The stable is in form, so he is the selection.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
1.50Cheltenham. Jagwar
2.25 Cheltenham. Triple Trade
2.05 Doncaster. Prince Zaltar
3.17 Doncaster. Lanesborough
Bet this lucky 15 on Bet365
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