It’s day one of Cheltenham’s December Meeting on Friday 13th December and there’s a hugely competitive seven race card kicking off at 12:10pm and going right through until 3:35pm. Our in-house tipster Steve Chambers takes a look through the form and picks out his Cheltenham best bets on the card.
1:50pm Cheltenham – Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Coming Soon Handicap Chase
There’s no doubt that Kim Bailey’s Chianti Classico is the best horse in the race for a fascinating 1:50pm contest, but last year’s Ultima Handicap Chase winner will have to give lumps of weight to all his rivals and he could struggle to see it out up the hill off a huge mark of 157. One that makes appeal at the bottom of the handicap is THE NEWEST ONE For Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies. The seven-year-old was a winner at Cheltenham back in October and then followed that up with a decent third placed finish last month. Running off the same mark here he looks one that could relish the featherweight and can stay on the best in the closing stages.
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2:25pm Cheltenham – Unibet Middle Distance Chase Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase
Rated in the low 150s at his best, SHAN BLUE will line up in this fascinating veterans’ handicap chase at 2:25pm off a mark of 141. Last seen struggling to see out three miles on his comeback run at Bangor last time out, Dan Skelton’s 10-year-old will relish the drop in trip and if he can get into a rhythm on the front end then he could be very difficult to pass. He competed in Grade 1 company at his best, and while he doesn’t perform to that level these days he has the potential to get the better of the likes of Dasher Drasher, Shakem Up’arry and Eldorado Allen in a race awash with old favourites.
Add a bet to your betslip with the minimum stake of £10 and tick “promotion opt in” on the betslip before placing your bet. Once accepted we’ll credit you with a £10 free bet. Only deposits via debit cards will qualify. Minimum odds on qualifying bet 1/1 (2.0). Your qualifying bet must be placed within 7 days after claiming the offer. Ends 31/12/24 at 23:59 GMT. Full T&Cs Apply.
Matty Sutcliffe’s Value Punts – Four Tips For Cheltenham On Friday
It’s day one of Cheltenham’s December Meeting on Friday 13th December and our value tipster Matty Sutcliffe is here with four best bets across the card at Prestbury Park… 12:40 Cheltenham – SSS Super Alloys Novices’ Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Jango Baie 11/4 1.5pt WIN Nicky Henderson has won this four times…
Wed 11 Dec 20243:00pm Cheltenham – Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase
A devilishly difficult punting assignment comes at 3:00pm with a cracking renewal of the Cross Country contest and the likes of Iceo Madrik and Stumptown are entitled to be at the head of the market and should play a notable role. However, proven round this track is DELTA WORK, who will have the burden of top weight, but is a class act for Gordon Elliott. Second in the Grand National at the end of last season, the former Cheltenham Festival Cross Country hero was out of his depth in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal in November, but a return to calmer waters here should see him figure. He can hack round the first two circuits off the pace for Rob James before he can push his way forward and simply outclass his rivals.
Add a bet to your betslip with the minimum stake of £10 and tick “promotion opt in” on the betslip before placing your bet. Once accepted we’ll credit you with a £10 free bet. Only deposits via debit cards will qualify. Minimum odds on qualifying bet 1/1 (2.0). Your qualifying bet must be placed within 7 days after claiming the offer. Ends 31/12/24 at 23:59 GMT. Full T&Cs Apply.
3:35pm Cheltenham – Citipost Handicap Hurdle
Dan Skelton’s Doyen Quest is certainly the talking horse of this race having made a mockery of his handicap mark last month at Cheltenham as he scorched clear of Gowel Road to win in style. Given a massive 10lbs rise by the handicapper for that success he will lock horns with Gowel Road again and that pair set the standard. However, Olly Murphy’s LONG DRAW is an improving handicapper and off a featherweight could go close. He has been bumping into upwardly mobile winners on his last two starts, but his recent second to Hamsiyann at Cheltenham is decent form and given a 2lbs rise for that win he looks capable of figuring off 120. The step up in trip is interesting and he could relish the 3m test here and is the value play against Doyen Quest, who could prove to be a cut above again.
Add a bet to your betslip with the minimum stake of £10 and tick “promotion opt in” on the betslip before placing your bet. Once accepted we’ll credit you with a £10 free bet. Only deposits via debit cards will qualify. Minimum odds on qualifying bet 1/1 (2.0). Your qualifying bet must be placed within 7 days after claiming the offer. Ends 31/12/24 at 23:59 GMT. Full T&Cs Apply.
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