*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
1.50pm, Cheltenham – Coole Cody
The ITV coverage starts with the big betting race, the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, over an extended 2m4f. COOLE CODY will be dismissed by many even though he won the Paddy Power Gold Cup – brilliantly sponsored – when he was last seen. That’s because some will still struggle to believe Coole Cody even won last time having gone off like the clappers and belted a few fences and slipped. However, he’s only gone up 6lb and if he jumped just a bit better he might be hard to peg back again. I’m not sure this race is any better than the last one – it just depends if he is in as good form for Evan Williams and Adam Wedge, who replaced Tom O’Brien having come back from injury.
2.05pm, Doncaster – Ofalltheginjoints
A Grade 2 novice chase here over 3m. Quite a competitive race despite the numbers, but the one they have to beat is OFALLTHEGINJOINTS, who goes for Colin Tizzard and Robbie Power, who is away from the big Cheltenham fixture. The selection has a very high rating for a horse who won a little handicap at Exeter last time but he came though nicely that day and jumped well. Stamina is no issue.
2.25pm, Cheltenham – Ashtown Lad
A Grade 2 here for novice hurdlers over 3m. Danny Kirwan will be a fabulous chaser one day, and for this I prefer the Skelton combination once again with ASHTOWN LAD. He stayed well in a big field handicap at Uttoxeter last time and his mark of 135 seems about right judged on that run. That gives him every chance in novice company and with stamina proven he’ll take some stopping.
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2.40pm, Doncaster – Monmiral
A Grade 2 now for juvenile hurdlers over an extended 2m. It’s hard not to be all over MONMIRAL in this one. The Paul Nicholls contender, ridden by Sean Bowen, is unbeaten in two starts in France and on his British debut at Exeter. He was clearly expected to score there and did not disappoint scoring by nearly six lengths. He jumped left a bit so Doncaster should be ideal.
3.00pm, Cheltenham – Goshen
One of the main races of the day, the International Hurdle which is a Grade 2 over 2m1f. Do you believe Gary Moore? If you do, you will be all over GOSHEN who has missed three possible races so far this season but now has a chance to show us what he can do. Of course Goshen was desperately unlucky when unseating Jamie Moore at the last in the Triumph Hurdle with the race in the bag. He could be anything. This is a proper test though.
3.15pm, Doncaster – Give Me A Copper
Now a handicap chase over 3m. This is wide open. GIVE ME A COPPER has it to do first time out but if he’s ready it’s not impossible he can take a hand here and is worth a few quid each-way. Sean Bowen is on top for Paul Nicholls and my hope stays strong. He did this column a big favour when landing the 2019 Badger Beer at 5-1 and hopefully he can do so again.
3.35pm, Cheltenham – Eglantine Du Seuil
And finally at Cheltenham a handicap hurdle over an extended 2m4f. EGLANTINE DU SEUIL is down to a mark of 143 having once been up to 149. He did not run badly at Wincanton first time this season but the didn’t do much when last seen at Sandown. The heavy ground might have been an issue then. Back over a trip he stays he might have an each-way chance at biggish odds here for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Matt Chapman’s bet summary – Saturday, December 12
1.15pm, Cheltenham – Born Survivor
1.50pm, Cheltenham – Coole Cody
2.05pm, Doncaster – Ofalltheginjoints
2.25pm, Cheltenham – Ashtown Lad
2.40pm, Doncaster – Monmiral
3.00pm, Cheltenham – Goshen
3.15pm, Doncaster – Give Me A Copper
3.35pm, Cheltenham – Eglantine Du Seuil
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