Find all previous Seymour Biz racing previews in his weekly column: Saturday Horse Racing Tips.
Cheltenham stages its highly prestigious New Year’s Day meeting this Saturday with four top-class races being televised and it looks like the Irish trainers are giving their British counterparts a chance with only one Willie Mullins entrant on the card. They have probably stayed at home because of the fine pickings on offer at the Fairyhouse meeting.
The other card being shown by ITV is the Hogmanay one at Musselburgh with three races highlighted, but here it’s the English trainers travelling north to try to plunder the Scottish prize money.
So here are my thoughts for Saturday’s Lucky Fifteen and may I wish a Happy and Prosperous New Year to everyone.
New Year’s Day Lucky Fifteen
1.25 Cheltenham. Come On Teddy
2.00 Cheltenham. Alnadam
2.35 Cheltenham. Botox Has
2.10 Musselburgh. Blakeney Point
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
The first televised race at Cheltenham is the 1.25- the Paddy Power Novices Chase and there are some really talented prospects in line for this top prize.
The top weight is Jane Williams’s Gladiateur Allen who just got home at Exeter in early December. He then ran an error-strewn race at Ascot and connections thought he would be better running left-handed but the weight is a worry.
Venetia Williams’s L’Homme Presse is two from two this season the latest of which was at Ascot in mid-December but he is another who is high enough in the weights due to a penalty.
Millers Bank won a small race at Huntingdon in October for trainer Alex Hales then tipped up at Newbury the following month with the race at his mercy after being left clear.
Alan King’s The Glancing Queen has every chance with her mare’s allowance as she looks to step up in class after two Listed victories already this season.
But my preference is for Tom George’s Come On Teddy who was a course winner a year ago. On his only outing this season, he was successful at Uttoxeter and he can add to that victory.
At 2.00 it is the Paddy Power New Year’s Day Handicap Chase where Evan Williams’s Coole Cody will be looking for a repeat of his win in a similar race in December but a 6lbs rise may put paid to his chances.
Heading the weights is Venetia Williams’s Fumambule Sivola who got tired 3 out and made mistakes to finish second at Huntingdon on his only outing this season. He will strip fitter for that but it’s a big ask to haul almost 12st around Prestbury Park in the January mud.
Philip Hobbs’s Zanza has run well this season without getting his head in front and I can’t see him breaking his duck for the season here.
Vienna Court won here at Cheltenham for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies in December but steps up massively in class in this race, a place is the best he can hope for.
Dan Skelton’s Alnadam looks the one to be on even though he did not run very well at Haydock in November when he was last of four in a race won by Bravemansgame. He wants plenty of give in the ground as he proved in his two Sandown victories last season.
The Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle is at 2.35 and this 3-mile contest looks very close to call. The current favourite is Olly Murphy’s Tamar Bridge who has won on his last three outings, the latest of which was at Aintree in December. He is definitely the one to beat.
Philip Hobbs has a couple of nice runners here with Dolphin Square and Pileon and I prefer the former who was a fine winner at Newbury in November. He will be close.
Can Neil Mulholland’s Kansas City Chief make it a hat-trick of wins in a season here at Cheltenham? I must admit I thought his first win in October was a bit of a fluke and I didn’t expect him to repeat the feat last month but the Channel Island horse proved me wrong but I must oppose him once again even if it is the season for fairy stories.
My preference is for Gary Moore’s Botox Has who ran second behind Kansas City Chief last time but is 8lbs better off here. He is a dual winner around Prestbury Park and can add to that.
At Musselburgh, there are disappointing turnouts for the three televised races the best of which could be the Betway Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle at 2.10.
Mann Hamilton’s Tommy’s Oscar has top weight after two fine victories at Haydock and Doncaster but the weight may hamper him from completing his hat-trick.
Christopher Wood from Paul Nicholls’s yard is a course and distance winner but he has failed to fire this season and was behind Tommy’s Oscar last time at Haydock.
John McConnell sends Anna Bunina over from Ireland for her first run of the season. She goes well fresh and looks to have every chance.
Donald McCain won this race last year with Blakeney Point and he returns to try and repeat that victory. He has 2lbs less than in 2021 and he can put a run of indifferent form behind him to take this.
New Year’s Day Lucky Fifteen
1.25 Cheltenham. Come On Teddy
2.00 Cheltenham. Alnadam
2.35 Cheltenham. Botox Has
2.10 Musselburgh. Blakeney Point
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
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