6 leading Cheltenham Festival fancies running on Trials Day this Saturday

Some big runners here.

By / Cheltenham Festival, Horse Racing News / 6 months ago

Trials Day is often a key pointer towards the Cheltenham Festival as a whole host of fancies build towards the mega March meeting.

Delta Work, Energumene and Stage Star all ran on Trials Day in 2023 before scoring at the four-day fiesta – and a whole host of horses will be trying to follow in their hooves at Cheltenham this Saturday.

As well as the rearranged Grade 1 Clarence House Chase, there are five Grade 2s, including the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase, and a Premier Handicap on the cracking card.

The latest Cheltenham odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise we’ve picked out six runners on Trials Day that could potentially score at the big one in just over six weeks.

Burdett Road

Race: JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle
Time: 12:05

Burdett Road, the Non Runner Money Back favourite for the Triumph Hurdle, is two from two over sticks – including an eye-catching C&D victory at the November Meeting – and will cement his status as the market leader for March’s big race if continuing his unbeaten streak. The Royal Ascot winner faces the stiffest test of his credentials to date, however, as Saturday’s main rival, Sir Gino, is second in our early betting for the Cheltenham Festival race.

Gidleigh Park

Race: SSS Super Alloys Novices’ Hurdle
Time: 16:10

The best-priced British hope for a victory in any of the three novice hurdle races, Gidleigh Park will attempt to confirm his standing as the home team’s principal hope against Challow fourth Johnnywho and Irish raider Antrim Coast for Gavin Cromwell, the leading trainer at Cheltenham this season. A tricky assignment but one he needs to be winning.

Jonbon

Race: Clarence House Chase
Time: 14:25

It is unlikely we will learn too much about the Champion Chase after El Fabiolo’s connections opted to reroute to the Dublin Racing Festival following Ascot’s abandonment last weekend. Jonbon will be expected to win with ease, although a shock defeat could spark talk of stepping up in trip to the Ryanair Chase, especially in the wake of Allaho being ruled out of the Fez.

Jonbon

Lossiemouth

Race: International Hurdle
Time: 15:00

We get our first look of the season at Lossiemouth as the winner of last season’s Triumph Hurdle builds her fitness for the big spring festivals. The Non Runner Money Back favourite for the Mares’ Hurdle will lock horns with Love Envoi, who finished a creditable second in last season’s renewal behind Honeysuckle.

Noble Yeats

Race: McCoy Contractors Cleeve Hurdle
Time: 15:35

Despite finishing fourth in last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, Noble Yeats‘ connections are considering a tilt at the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle. The 2022 Grand National winner boasts a significantly lower rating over sticks and this race looks like being a decent yardstick for March’s championship race as a whole host of tried-and-tested runners including Dashel Drasher and Paisley Park are in opposition.

Stay Away Fay

Race: Paddy Power Cotswold Chase
Time: 13:50

The Paddy Power Cotswold Chase looks like being one of the most competitive contests of the afternoon as all six runners have spring festival ambitions. Ahoy Senor, Capodanno, Datsalrightgino, Royale Pagaille and The Real Whacker will attempt to boost their Cheltenham Gold Cup hopes, but it is novice Stay Away Fay that looks the most interesting as he tackles open company in preparation for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. With Cheltenham Festival form in the book courtesy of last season’s Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle success, Paul Nicholls’ exciting prospect is seeking a hat-trick over fences.

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