Another significant afternoon of ITV Racing action is in store on Saturday with eight races live from Cheltenham and Doncaster. Most of the contests are from the Cotswolds course, featuring the Class 1 extended 2m 4f December Gold Cup Premier Handicap Chase.
The Class 2 bet365 Handicap Chase is the highlight on the support card from South Yorkshire. Our expert has come up with a selection for every race on the ITV1 broadcast.
ITV Racing predictions – Cheltenham and Doncaster, Saturday December 16
Clive Gildon has recommendations for all eight races on Saturday. You can read the analysis behind his selections below.
Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.
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1.15, Cheltenham – Quintessentially Handicap Chase (2m)
Plenty of forward-going types should ensure this is a stiff test at the extended 2m trip. The shortlist included the class gelding Funambule Sivola at the head of the weights, and the in-form Prince Escalus, but the festively named IN EXCELSIS DEO, representing Harry Fry, finished best of all when an encouraging third on the Old Course here in October and is taken to have the winning momentum after the last.
Selection: In Excelsis Deo @ 15/8 with Betfred
1.50, Cheltenham – Virgin Bet December Gold Cup Premier Handicap Chase (2m 4½f)
THUNDER ROCK is representing Olly Murphy under Sean Bowen. Three of the trainer’s past 15 runners were successful and the jockey has a 20 per cent strike rate for the yard. Thunder Rock combined with Bowen to run out a ready winner of a Listed Chase over this sort of trip at Carlisle on his reappearance last month. The second Mahler Mission franked the form when second again at Newbury. The selection is 6-11 on good to soft or soft, 5-9 at the distance and a deserving favourite.
Selection: Thunder Rock @ 7/2 with Betfred
2.05, Doncaster – bet365 Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (2m 3f)
DEEPER BLUE makes plenty of each-way appeal in this competitive nine-runner novice handicap chase. The selection is another charge of Fry, who is an encouraging 10-37 with his runners on this course, and the seven-year-old gelding made a really pleasing impression when reaching an improved second on his second start over fences at Plumpton in October. He should be particularly competitive if continuing his progress over fences from a 2lb higher mark.
Selection: Deeper Blue @ SP with Betfred
2.25, Cheltenham – Favourite From The Sun Now Daily Premier Handicap Chase (3m 2f)
ELVIS MAIL is another each-way suggestion in a nine-runner contest where there are a few forward-going types. The selection is 6-20 on good to soft or soft and 2-2 over this 3m 2f trip. He arrives on a hat-trick after two neat successes from off the pace at Kelso in March and October, and he may be able to pounce late once again from a still workable mark of 146.
Selection: Elvis Mail @ 11/1 with Betfred
2.40, Doncaster – bet365 Handicap Hurdle (2m)
Jonjo O’Neill has been among the winners at the beginning of December. SOARING GLORY is another horse who makes plenty of each-way appeal after taking a big stride back in the right direction when second over course and distance on his second run back after a break recently. The eight-year-old is on a good mark (135) if rediscovering even more of his mojo on this occasion.
Selection: Soaring Glory @ 9/1 with Betfred
3.00, Cheltenham – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (3m, Grade 2)
SHANAGH BOB, representing Nicky Henderson for the Donnellys, owners of Al Boum Photo et al, is a deserving favourite for this Grade 2 staying novice hurdle on the Cheltenham card. He cost £200,000 after easily winning an Irish point last December, and was a warm order when winning going away by seven lengths on his stable debut at Plumpton last month. This Mahler gelding should prove hard to beat if progressing again for the step up to 3m under Rules.
Selection: Shanagh Bob @ 7/4 with Betfred
3.15, Doncaster – bet365 Handicap Chase (3m)
Trainer Dan Skelton has had six winners in the first half of this month and his SAIL AWAY is worth backing each-way in this 11-runner Class 2 handicap chase. The seven-year-old made a big impression when winning over this 3m trip at Ayr in the spring – and given the benefit of his respectable return to action at Newbury on December 1, he can resume his progression back up in trip on his second run after a third wind operation.
Selection: Sail Away @ 11/2 with Betfred
3.35, Cheltenham – Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (2m 4½f)
BONTTAY won her first three starts for Fergal O’Brien, including two bumpers on this course. The six-year-old Westerner mare returns to this course on a hat-trick over hurdles having won at Kelso in March and Hereford last month. She has been raised 5lb to a mark of 123, but the step up to 2m 4½f should suit, and she can continue her winning run.
Selection: Bonttay @ 3/1 with Betfred
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