Cheltenham December Meeting Day One – Friday 10th December

When you have a day where you put up three selections, all at okay prices, and finish 2nd, 3rd and 4th from those selections – you can be slightly entitled to feel a tad hard done by not having collected a penny for the day. Unfortunately, luck has not been quite on my side over the last two weeks or so, but there is no better time to try and turn things around than the weekend, especially with a return of racing at HQ in Cheltenham. I will be looking through some of the races on the Friday card, where there looks like some decent betting opportunities. 

The 12.05 race is the opening 2m novice hurdle and this is a sumptuous race to start the two day meeting, with a fascinating 6 runner race taking place. Hartur D’Oudairies looked really promising on his debut at Warwick for the Skelton’s, as did JPR One, who won a decent race at Exeter. However, the standard bearer in this race is getting slightly overlooked in the market here, and it’s Washington – who finished a close second in a Grade 2 at the November meeting. He jumped well in the main and just wasn’t suited by a tactical small field race and should be more streetwise this time around to do himself some justice. Olly Murphy regards this horse very highly and this ground should suit well. At a best price of 7/2 with William Hill, I think he is worth a bet. 

The 12.40 race is the 3m1f handicap chase on the card and again this is a good race for the grade. Lucinda Russell brings down a few interesting contenders to this meeting and Corach Rambler represents her best chance of a winner tomorrow – having recorded a good success at AIntree last time out. However, I can’t help but feel that Undersupervision is the horse to be on in this contest. Having been a promising young novice hurdler last year, he has run twice at this track this year over fences. He was a very admirable second to Does He Know on his chase debut before departing early in a good race last time out. He will have to learn from that early exit, but his mark of 136 surely underestimates his ability. At a best price of 4/1 with Bet365 – he looks a fair price. 

The 1.15 race is a handicap hurdle over 2 miles and 12 runners go to post in this race with the Henderson trained Broomfield Burg a warm order to win on handicap debut. However, I will be siding with November festival form again with Castel Gandolfo, who is likely to be ridden ice cool by Paddy Brennan out the back for Fergal O’Brien. This combination had an excellent November at this track, and this horse ran very well to come second to an Irish blot, when staying on from the clouds. He seems suited to bigger fields and being produced late, so this race could set up nicely for him. At a price of 9/1 with Paddy Power, who are offering 4 places, he is an each way bet. 

I have sidestepped the trappy looking 1.50, and have moved onto the 2.25 instead, which is 3m2f handicap chase. I have been a big fan of Mister Fogpatches for a while now, and have had some success following him in some staying handicaps at the back end of last year and coming into this season. Arguably, his third in the Troytown to Run Wild Fred last time out was a career best. He has not been overfaced by the English handicapper like so many of his fellow raiders have been in the past, and I think 139 is a workable mark in this race. Danny Mullins, who was onboard for his last victory at Punchestown at the end of the last term, returns to the saddle. He is no enormous price at 5/1 on William Hill, who offer 4 places – but he will do me each way. 

The final selection on the card comes in the 3.00 race, which is the 3m6f cross country chase and is always a fascinating race. This year is no different with plenty of the runners from November renewing rivalries. I would never be one to step on toes, and those who have already read my colleague Will Smith’s piece will know he is a fan of Diesel D’Allier. Without wanting to put the mockers on the poor horse, but he would be one of my best bets of the day in this race. I was so keen on him for the November renewal of this race, when sauntering into the lead turning in. He blew up fitness wise having jumped the last that day and the trainer already earmarked before November that this race would be his Gold Cup for the season. With those strong points in mind, and with the horse likely to run his race – he must be backed in this. Considering my slightly in and out form, I am going to play it risky and back him at 4/1 to collect.