2023 Cheltenham Trials Meeting Preview & Tips – DS
2023 Cheltenham Trials Meeting Preview
Espanito Bello ran a cracker in the Thyestes but like all good e/w value bets, he finished 5th. Captain Kangaroo ran his race in the first two furlongs. Listenheretomejack did the business for us in the opener, landing our e/w NAP at 33/1. It was a brilliant ride by Denis O’Regan. Summerville Boy also nicked place money at 12/1 but Lough Na Fooey hated the heavy ground. We have a busy Saturday ahead of us with the 2023 Cheltenham Trials Meeting and a couple of races from Doncaster. Check out Dave Stevos’ preview and tips below.
12.10 Cheltenham – Handicap Chase (Class 2)
Usually we only cover the live ITV races on Saturday but I can’t let Any News go unbacked here. Trained by the shrewd Neil Mulholland, this son of Stowaway ran too badly to be true last time out at Wetherby. Racing off a mark of 135, Richie McClernon dropped him out and he never managed to get into the race. However, it was his first run for almost a year and maybe he just needed it badly.
The handicapper took the run at face value and dropped Any News to 131. When you consider that he wasn’t disgraced in a Grade 2 on his final start of last season behind Threeunderthrufive, that looks a pretty fair mark. In September 2021 (five runs ago) he was beat a neck in a Novice Handicap chase at Warwick (16f gd) off 140 so he has already proven he can be competitive off 9lbs higher than he races off today.
He ran ok in a hot novice here behind Third Time Lucki over 16f on his next start and on that evidence, this trip should suit him better and he also has placed course form over hurdles in the book. His maiden win came on soft so once it doesn’t deteriorate the ground should be fine and Richie McClernon is 14/91 with 25 top 4s when riding for Mulholland, who himself has a decent record at Cheltenham (22/162 with 44 top 4s). At odds of 33/1, Any News is worth chancing e/w for small stakes.
2023 Cheltenham Trials meeting tips: Any News e/w @ 33/1
1.20 Cheltenham – Clarence House Chase (Grade 1)
The Clarence House Chase field has doubled in size since the switch to Cheltenham. We now have a huge field of six runners and Energumene is a hot favourite. He is rated 6lbs superior to Edwardstone and he is 4/7 to beat the King horse. That rival blotted his copybook big style at Kempton last time out when unseating and it’ll be fascinating to see how he fares against the Irish raider if he stands up. However, with the pace likely to be frantic it’ll be vital to put in a blemish free round of jumping and after last time, you’d have to fear for Edwardstone.
Editeur Du Gite was a horse I fancied to run well in the Champion Chase last season. Connections chickened out and went the Grand Annual route instead and he ran a nice race to be 4th on heavy. After an ordinary return to action at this track in October, it was hard to fancy him going into that Kempton race last time out. However, he jumped well and put his rivals to the sword, slamming Nube Negra by 13L.
This horse loves Cheltenham and this looks the ideal race for him. Like Energumene, he will be ridden aggressively and with those two going hell for leather from the start, this race should be some spectacle. Amarillo Sky will likely try to go forward too but he has to prove he can mix it at this level. At the prices, Editeur Du Gite makes most appeal but with just two places on offer, I’m happy to let him run without the weight of my money. Hopefully the three principals bring their best and put on an exhibition.
2023 Cheltenham Trials meeting tips: No Bet
1.50 Cheltenham – Paddy Power Chase (Premier Handicap)
We backed Silver Hallmark last time at Chepstow (20f sft) and he landed place money for us. The 9yo son of Shirocco has been lightly raced in the last couple of years and he somewhat lost his form after his G2 win on heavy at Haydock in January 2021. In four subsequent runs the closest he got to the winner was 10L but that last run was extremely encouraging.
The handicapper has dropped him to 140 now, a mark he should be competitive off. Jonjo O’Neill got a good tune out of him at Chepstow and he retains the ride on Fergal O’Briens charge. He has finished in the first four on 2 of his 5 previous rides for the yard and O’Brien has an excellent record at Cheltenham (40/337 with 105 top 4s).
Ground on the soft side is ideal for this lad and 20f is his optimum trip. That last run should serve as a big confidence booster after his few moderate chase runs and if he is going to land a nice pot, this is the type of race he’s most likely to win. Off a career low mark of 140, Silver Hallmark is the e/w selection at odds of 16/1.
2023 Cheltenham Trials meeting tips: silver hallmark e/w @ 16/1 (6 places) NAP
2.05 Doncaster – Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
The ground is good at Doncaster and there is no rain forecast. That should be fine for Epatante and this looks a very good opportunity for her. She is miles ahead of these on the ratings and only Constitution Hill has finished in front of her in two runs this term. There is nothing of his (or Honeysuckle’s) calibre in this race and she should win.
Martello Sky is a solid Listed class mare but this level has proven beyond her in the past. She won’t mind the ground and apart from the fav, this doesn’t look the strongest of races. Lucy Wadham’s charge should be capable of nicking second ahead of Galice Macalo. Salsada has ability and was a good mare on the flat and she could outrun her odds for Brian Ellison. However, just two places on offer and an easy enough race to swerve. No bet.
doncaster tips: No Bet
2.25 Cheltenham – Cotswold Chase (Grade 2)
Not a betting race but one that is definitely worth watching. Noble Yeats has been backed at big odds for Gold Cup glory after his eye catching Aintree win. The turn of foot he showed was impressive but the form is questionable. Dashel Drasher is a solid G2 horse and Ahoy Senor, who re-opposes here, seems to have lost his way after a very promising Novice campaign.
Sounds Russian was close up behind Dashel Drasher and Ahoy Senor in 4th at Aintree and he has since run a cracker in the Rowland Meyrick. He is clearly a very talented horse but he may have to settle for a similar result as he achieved on Merseyside. Dusart beat Sounds Russian at Ayr when giving him 2lbs but he disappointed here in a handicap hurdle on his return. However, chasing is more his game and he could bounce back now returned to the bigger obstacles.
Frodon will likely force a strong pace and that should set it up for Protektorat. I’m a big fan of Dan Skelton’s stable star and I think he has huge claims in the Gold Cup. I thought he looked a much improved horse at Haydock and while this race won’t be the be all and end all for him, I think he’ll be too classy for this lot. The ground should be soft enough for him and I’ll be disappointed if he can’t win this. Not a betting race but one to savour. Fingers crossed they all turn up in top form and may the best horse win.
2023 Cheltenham Trials meeting tips: No Bet
2.40 Doncaster – River Don Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
John McConnell presumably came over here looking for good ground for Grand Soir and his wish has been granted. This son of Cokoriko is 3/4 over timber in Ireland, winning a maiden at Kilbeggan (25f gd) before landing successive novices at Cork (24f gd/yld) and Thurles (23f yld). He hasn’t beaten any superstars yet but there is no doubt he is a promising type and this track and ground combination looks perfect for him. The bookies aren’t taking any chances on him though and odds of 9/2 are not big enough to tempt.
After he won last time Jamie Snowden nominated the EBF Final Novice Handicap as Park This One’s end of season target. He’d almost be guaranteed to get a run in that off his current rating of 124 so I’m not sure he’ll want to win this and get another hike in the weights. Of those at bigger odds, maybe Hurricane Bay can surprise with a big run.
Plenty To Find
Lucy Wadham’s son of Malinas is rated 121 which leaves him with plenty to find. With Bryony Frost at Cheltenham, Nico De Boinville picks up the ride and this former course winner will be well suited by the return to this track and also to better ground. He hacked up here on his penultimate start in a Novice and the runner up (20L clear of the 3rd) won a Newcastle novice by 9.5L on his next outing. His seasonal comeback race (beat a neck) has thrown up a couple of winners too (we backed him that day).
Last time out he finished 3rd under an inexperienced claimer at Huntingdon (19f gd/sft). The winner of that race has since scored again. Lucy Wadham’s horses are flying (3 winners and 2 places last 7 runners) and she does well at Doncaster (10/84 with 24 top 4s). This looks the right track for him to have a go in this company and at odds of 20/1, hopefully De Boinville gets the fractions right and makes a bold bid from the front.
doncaster tips: hurricane bay e/w @ 20/1
3.00 Cheltenham – Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2)
Another small field of just seven. Paisley Park rolled back the years last time out and the 11yo will be using this as a stepping stone to the Festival. I wouldn’t mind seeing him getting beat today as that’ll mean he’ll be a bigger price come March. Dashel Drasher can always be relied upon to give his running and if it turns into a battle, win or lose he’ll go out on his shield.
Gelino Bello has a big reputation but he fell in a Novice Chase last time and a confidence boosting clear round will be his priority back over timber. Lord Accord wants quicker ground than this and he is probably just out for a sharpener ahead of the Festival Handicaps. Molly Ollys Wishes is a good mare on her day but this looks a big ask for her. Botox Has is a big danger if bouncing back from a bad run last time and it’ll be interesting to see how the French raider Gold Tweet fares. However, his form is hard to weigh up and this is another no bet race.
2023 Cheltenham Trials meeting tips: No Bet
3.15 Doncaster – SkyBet Handicap Chase (Premier)
Ben Case runs Shanty Alley in this and I can’t understand how he is 20/1. The son of Shantou has had two runs this season and he ran big in both races. He was beat less than a length off 120 on his return to action at Wetherby (24f sft) and he was beaten the exact same distance by Grumpey Charley at Newbury off 5lbs higher on New Year’s Eve. On his last visit to Doncaster he hacked up by 12L (26f gd/sft) and there has been good in the ground description for two of his three wins.
Conor O’Farrell was on board the last twice and he retains the ride. The fact that Case has declined to use a claimer despite getting another 4lb hike to 129 suggests that he thinks his horse is capable of winning off that rating. This horse has already placed twice off 132 and 130 so that backs up that assertion. This is a step up in class admittedly but he gets to carry a nice low weight of just 10st 7lbs and there is a chance he might get a soft lead here. If he does, hopefully he can hang on for place money at least at odds of 20/1.
doncaster tips: shanty alley e/w @ 20/1 (4 places) nb
3.35 Cheltenham – Classic Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
Sandy Thomson is a trainer that I have massive respect for and War Soldier is a fascinating contender for him here. By Soldier Of Fortune, he is 3/5 under rules, landing a Newcastle bumper in December 2021 then scoring in a maiden hurdle back there in November before following up in a soft ground novice at Haydock in December. After that last run Ryan Mania said he was a stayer winning over 16f and that stepping up in trip would suit.
The form of his maiden win was nothing to write home about but his Novice win was better. The horse he beat is rated 126 and had previously run well in a Wetherby Class 2. His dam is from the family of Cantlow, a X country winner here and also placed in the Pertemps at the festival so he is bred for this job and his three wins have come on testing tracks, another positive.
Sandy Thomson has had an outstanding season but Cheltenham has not been a happy hunting ground for him. He has only had six runners there in the past with just one winner. It is a 600 mile round trip from his yard to the track so you’d imagine War Soldier will be there to do his best and while other boast stronger form, this new trip could eke out more improvement. At odds of 16/1, he is the e/w selection.
