Day two of Cheltenham’s November Meeting comes up on Saturday and there’s a lovely blend of tough handicaps and graded novice events to cater for all tastes.
The seven-race offering gets going at 12.30pm and runs through until 3.55pm. Watch all the action via live streaming when logged into MansionBet, alongside all the UK and Ireland racing on a busy day. Our tipster marks your card for Saturday’s Cheltenham action.
12:30 – JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m½f)
Victorious on his British bow at Chepstow last month, Magistrato looks a typically exciting French recruit for Paul Nicholls and he’ll be popular in the betting to follow that up. His Auteuil form also stacks up well in the context of this race. KNIGHT SALUTE is a viable alternative for a red-hot Milton Harris team. He took the scalp of a promising Nicky Henderson runner at Kempton last month (receiving 7lb) and is 2-2 over hurdles with the promise of more to come.
Selection: Knight Salute @ 9/2
1:05 – Jewson Tool Hire Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (3m1f)
Strictlyadancer held off Fact Of The Matter to win over C&D last month and Christian Williams’ charge is very much weighted to maintain that superiority now. They are players alongside One Forty Seven and Minella Encore but top-weight OPPOSITES ATTRACT is very interesting for Irish Grand National-winning trainer Dermot McLaughlin. This 7YO ran midfield in that race, won by Freewheelin Dylan, but he had earlier shown plenty of promise in five chase starts, often in good company. He shouldn’t be waiting too long to get some tangible reward.
Selection: Opposites Attract @ 13/2
1.40 – From The Horse’s Mouth Podcast Novices’ Chase (Grade 2, 2m)
THIRD TIME LUCKI was deeply impressive when scoring over C&D three weeks ago at The Showcase Meeting and he looks set to form part of a really strong Dan Skelton-trained novice chasing squad. With his main rivals Captain Tom Cat and Mick Pastor having drawn swords just seven days ago at Wincanton – where the latter travelled best but failed to get home over 2m4f when finishing second – it will be a major shock if the jolly cannot back up his impressive score here last time.
Selection: Third Time Lucki @ 4/11
2.15 – Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3, 2m4f)
Third in this race last year from 5lb higher, AL DANCER must be a major threat now starting life with new trainer Sam Thomas. His peak performances have tended to come after a layoff and he should be well ready to do himself justice. Zanza has been rather luckless in two previous chase starts here. He was third in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter 11 days ago and could have more to offer at this increased trip.
Selection: Al Dancer @ 7/1
2.50 – Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle (Listed, 3m)
Sufficient doubts linger around Sporting John to go against him but Philip Hobbs’ charge is potentially the class act back over hurdles having undergone a wind operation since a disappointing spring in Grade 1 novice chasing company. Handicap debutante Dragon Bones is much-respected having finished second over C&D last month but PROSCHEMA was a very pleasing second in a Wetherby Grade 2 last month on his first try at three-miles. That puts him to the front of the queue for this challenge.
Selection: Proschema @ 11/4
3.25 – Paddy Power Feel Like A Favourite Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (2m5f)
Unexpected Party won with any amount in hand at Wetherby recently on handicap bow and, despite going up 11lb, looks another solid contender for Dan and Harry Skelton on an afternoon where they seem to be stacked with such sorts. That said, Olly Murphy’s string are in scintillating form and MACKELDUFF was never stronger than at the line when making a winning start in handicaps at Aintree three weeks ago. Another furlong is only likely to provoke further improvement and a 7lb rise looks manageable. The improving Punxsutawney Phil might be the one for each-way money.
Selection: Mackelduff @ 10/3
3.55 – Stirrups Restaurant And Cocktail Bar Evesham Mares’ Open NH Flat Race (Listed, 2m½f)
All manner of promising mares on show here and it was not a shock to find that it was 6/1 the field when the market opened as such. Wheres Maud Gone was promising last season, winning 2-3 and running well in an Aintree Grade 2, hers is the standard to aim at.
Fergal O’Brien runs three and Paddy Brennan is on board last month’s C&D winner BONTTAY. The Westerner filly had easily won on debut at Market Rasen in August but was still allowed go off at 22/1 here. Brennan was on stablemate Jeremy The Jinn that day as Conor Brace brought Bonttay steadily through from the rear to bag the prize with a strong finish up the hill. She’s got a fine chance again.
Selection: Bonttay @ 6/1
*All odds correct at time of writing.