It’s Trials Day at Cheltenham on Saturday and there are plenty of big names warming up for the festival in just over a month, with four races live on ITV.
You can watch all eight races from Cheltenham (12.15pm-4.15pm) via live streaming when logged into MansionBet, along with every race from the UK and Ireland.
Racing Post tipster Graeme Rodway previews Saturday’s action at Cheltenham exclusively for MansionBet.
12.15 Cheltenham – SSS Super Alloys Handicap Hurdle
This is a tough handicap with which to start and LIVELY CITIZEN might be the answer. He kept on gamely to beat subsequent winner Broomfield Burg over course and distance last time and looks fairly treated off just 5lb higher.
He simply loves Cheltenham, having won twice here and finished second on the third of three occasions. Another good run is surely on the cards.
Selection: Lively Citizen @ SP
12.45 Cheltenham – JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle
This looks like a match between Gordon Elliott and Paul Nicholls, Pied Piper and ICEO.
Preference is for Iceo, who pulled well clear from the second last to win in a good time at Kempton on his hurdles debut last month.
That form has been well advertised by the third, Restitution, who was second in a hot race at Ascot last week. That is the best form on offer.
Selection: Iceo @ SP
1.20 Cheltenham – Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase
This might be another one for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. They team up with SOLO, who hinted he might improve for this longer trip when beaten a nose over 2m3f at Ascot in October and has been keeping hot company over 2m since.
He was only 13 lengths behind Edwardstone at Kempton last time and there is nothing of that quality in this weaker event.
Selection: Solo @ SP
1.55 Cheltenham – Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase
The well-handicapped MAGIC SAINT is now 5lb lower than when last successful at this course in November 2020 and Tom Buckley is on board claiming another 5lb.
Magic Saint is well suited by good ground and shaped like he is on his way back to form when fourth of 16 in a hot handicap over course and distance last time. A reproduction might be good enough here.
Selection: Magic Saint @ 10/3
2.30 Cheltenham – Paddy Power Cotswold Chase
Chantry House will be a short-priced favourite here, but he was pulled up in the King George at Kempton last time and has yet to fully convince that he is a top-class chaser.
Simply The Betts is unproven at the distance and it might pay to side with AYE RIGHT. He recorded a career-best effort when landing the Rehearsal Chase last time and might still be improving.
Selection: Aye Right @ 7/2
3.05 Cheltenham – Welsh Marches Stallions At Chapel Stud Cleeve Hurdle
Champ sets the standard and looks the one to beat, but MCFABULOUS has more to offer now he is returned to 3m and it might be worth taking a chance on him upsetting the favourite.
He kept on well when a lucky second over 2m41/2f here last time and it’s more than a year since he shaped like a non-stayer over this trip at Newbury. He might have strengthened up since.
Selection: McFabulous @ 4/1
3.40 Cheltenham – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
Balco Coastal and Hillcrest will take out a huge chunk of the market and A DIFFERENT KIND looks the value against them.
He has won five in a row since joining Donald McCain’s stable and every victory has come by at least ten lengths bar his win at Haydock two starts ago, when Green Book ran him to a length.
Green Book won twice subsequently and A Different Kind looks like a class act who should be capable of stepping up now he is in a higher grade.
Selection: A Different Kind @ 15/2
4.15 Cheltenham – Alan Swinbank Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race
There was a lot of money for HIDDEN BEAUTY on course before her debut at Ffos Las in November and she showed a remarkable amount of ability to win after being given a lot to do.
She was ridden with extreme patience in last but came through to score comfortably and the third has franked the form by winning since. Hidden Beauty rates the nap of the day.
Selection: Hidden Beauty @ SP
*All odds correct at time of writing