Cheltenham November Day 2 Tips by Dave Stevos
Cheltenham November Day 2 Tips: All Live ITV Races
It was a tough start for us at the November meeting on Day 1. I thought Beat The Judge would finish much closer but his jumping was poor again. He needs to go up in trip but at least he nicked place money at 6/1. Paint The Dream ran a nice enough race to finish 3rd but he was no match for Protektorat. King’s Temptation took well to the cross country fences. While he didn’t place, he looks worth another go over them. Polish ran a cracker and just got run out of a place late on. Saturday is a much better day for punters with plenty of each way opportunities. You can check out Dave Stevos’ Cheltenham November Day 2 tips below…
Cheltenham Tips: 1.40pm – November Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)
First up on Day 2 of the November meeting at Cheltenham is this 16f Grade 2 Novices’ Chase. A field of 6 are due to go to post. With a lot of rain forecast overnight, conditions are likely to be softer than on Day 1. If it does come up on the easy side, that will be bad news for the favourite Fusil Raffles. All of his best recent form has come on ground with good in the description. His trainer has often said he prefers a decent surface.
Although she has a chunk to find at the ratings, Irish raider Zarkareva is a fascinating runner. Trained by Henry De Bromhead, who won the race last year with Festival winner Put The Kettle On, this mare gets a nice bit of weight from her older rivals. She beat a couple of former Grade 3 and Grade 1 winners last time out at Punchestown (18.5f yld/sft). She took a while to hit top gear that day but this trip should be fine on a stiff track like Cheltenham. Especially if the forecast rain comes. If fully fit on his return Grand Sancy could be the biggest danger if it turns very heavy. However, at odds of 10/1 Zarkareva is the e/w pick.
Cheltenham November Day 2 Tips: Zarkareva e/w @ 10/1
Cheltenham November Day 2: 2.15pm – Paddy Power Gold Cup (Grade 3)
A field of 17 will line up at the start for this ultra-competitive renewal of the Paddy Power Gold Cup. The one I like at a huge price is Domaine De L’Isle for Sean Curran and Sean Bowen. This horse will appreciate any rain that falls. He will also strip much fitter with his comeback run under his belt. Yes, he was beat 22L in that contest at Cheltenham but it was a hurdle race over 21f on good ground. This fella is much better on soft over the bigger obstacles.
His trainer Sean Curran is flying. He had an across the card double the other day with his last two runners. This is most likely one of the best he has trained and this race is his early season aim. Sean Bowen got to know the horse when riding him for the first time on his seasonal return and he keeps the faith. Domaine De L’Isle last won in a valuable handicap chase at Ascot (21f hvy) back in January off 140. He is 6lb higher now but as a 7yo he could easily improve again this season. This looks his best trip, he has a prep run under his belt and the weather forecast is firmly in his favour. With 6 places on offer, at odds of 40/1 Domaine De L’Isle is the e/w NAP of the day.
Cheltenham November Day 2 Tips: Domaine De L’Isle e/w @ 40/1 NAP (6 Places)
Cheltenham: 2.50pm – Handicap Hurdle (Listed)
A dozen horses have been declared for this 3 mile Listed handicap hurdle. Our old friend Debestyman is back in action. Unfortunately, the cat is out of the bag with him. The bookies are taking no chances this time after his superb effort on his last outing. He is 1lb out of the handicap and carries bottom weight of 10 stone. In my opinion he should have zero issues getting 3 miles if the ground is decent. However, if the ground turns soft it might not be ideal for him. Another horse that did us a good turn in this race last year, Golan Fortune, will be much more at home if conditions are testing.
We were on at 33/1 that day when he scored by 2.5L off a mark of 135. He is back for a repeat bid off just 2lb higher and regular rider Sam Lee takes off another 7lb. Phil Middleton’s son of Golan ran a lovely race on ground plenty quick enough on his return to action in the same race that Debestyman finished 2nd in. He ran even better upped to 3 miles last week at Aintree, chasing home Unowhatimeanharry on good to soft. The more rain that falls, the better this fella’s chance will be and his trainer has likely aimed him at this race again. He isn’t as big a price as last year but at odds of 15/2 I think he has serious e/w claims.
Cheltenham November Day 2 Tips: Golan Fortune e/w @ 15/2 NB (4 Places)
Cheltenham 3.25pm – Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
This tricky looking 21f handicap hurdles has attracted a field of 10. One that could go well now back up in trip is Stimulating Song for Milton Harris and Paddy Brennan. This horse has shaped pretty well on both starts this season on ground quicker than ideal. He kept on well for 3rd at Ffos Las on his return to action and he was doing his best work at the finish over 16f on good ground at Chepstow last time out. Connections will be glad to see that rain is due because this son of Stimulation is a much better horse on soft ground.
His sole win in a Wetherby Novice came on soft back in January (16f). His neck 2nd in a Bangor heat over the same trip was arguably an even better effort. The winner of that race is now rated 137 over fences and the 3rd Stratagem is now rated 140 over hurdles. That would suggest that Stimulating Song is potentially very well treated off 128. His sole previous run at Cheltenham was a super effort in a heavy ground bumper when he stayed on strongly late in the day for 5th. He had excuses when he last tried this trip at Kempton (lost a shoe) and he is definitely worth giving another chance to over today’s distance. At odds of 9/1, Stimulating Song is the each way selection.
Cheltenham November Day 2 Tips: Stimulating Song e/w @ 9/1 (4 Places)
Cheltenham 3.55pm – Mare’s National Hunt Flat Race (Listed)
The last race of the day at Cheltenham is this Mare’s Listed bumper. 10 go in search of some black type and Elle Est Belle heads the market for the Skeltons. This daughter of Fame And Glory was very impressive at Aintree (17f sft) when winning by 5.5L. She easily beat a previous 13L winner so the form looks very strong. One that looks potentially overpriced is Martello Sky for Lucy Wadham and Richard Johnson. This 4yo filly is 2/3 in bumpers this year and she finished a close 2nd to Allavina (getting 6lb) the only time she has tasted defeat.
She won nicely on her return to action at Fakenham on good ground last month. Richard Johnson takes over from a 5lb claimer in the saddle and he has 9 wins and 21 top 4s from just 54 rides for the Wadham yard. He is 0/3 on bumper horses for her, but two of those were placed. She is a half sister to the listed placed Mystic Sky and Brief Ambition so she is bred for the job too. There was less than a length between her and Allavina when they met and that horse is half Martello Sky’s price. Even if she was getting 6lb on that occasion, at odds of 20/1 I think an each way bet is more than warranted.
