Cheltenham Racecourse is pleased to welcome you to The International meeting which takes place on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th December 2021. Across the two days, there are 14 thrilling races, including the Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase on Friday, while we have The Caspian Caviar Gold Cup and The Unibet International Hurdle to enjoy on Saturday.
Friday has a seven race card, including the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase [3:00], and will begin at 12:05 with 'The British EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle'. Last years cross country chase was won by Some Neck (pictured below) and is usually targeted by the Irish trainers.
Surface: Turf.
Weather: A sunny day expected, cold, max temp 6c
Going: Good (Good to soft in places).
12:40 Tiggys Trust Novices' Limited Handicap Chase
Going: Good (Good to soft in places).
12:05 British EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle
2m 179y (Class 3 5 runners)
Just the six runners for our opener, all have a previous win in the bank at some level beginning with Datsalrightgino [Won @6/1] trained by Jamie Snowden, several place runs before finally coming good in a novice event at Fontwell winning comfortably. This looks more tricky with the likes of Dan Skelton's Hartur D'oundairies sent off fav for his hurdling debut and likely to be well schooled for this too. Of the others I like Washington although was second in a three runner race here but that experience of this track should help and was only 2l down to a well fancied runner that day.
Result - (1) Datsalrightgino @6/1 [G Sheehan].12:40 Tiggys Trust Novices' Limited Handicap Chase
3m 1f 56y (Class 3 6 runners)
A winner of three races last season Barbados Bucks has now been sent chasing and ought to be in the best hands for his famous owner. A disappointing favourite on chase debut at Wetherby in a small field this ought to be a trip he can enjoy and if allowed to bowl along in a good rhythm up front could take a fair amount of pegging back. While lurking at the end of the weights here today is Eva's Oskar who scored at Chepstow and ran well enough when runner up last time out at Ascot suggesting this additional trip would suit and only raised 2lb for that latest effort.
Result - (6) Corach Rambler @2/1f [D R Fox].
13:15 Catesby Handicap Hurdle
13:15 Catesby Handicap Hurdle
2m 179y (Class 3 12 runners)
The 5yo Broomfield Burg is our first pick in an open looking handicap hurdle, Nicky Henderson's inmate has already looked a good prospect when winning bumper/novice hurdle earlier in the year. Outbattled to some extent when second in Newbury novice last month but retains plenty of potential now handicapping and carries the famous colours of owner JP McManus. Robinshill completed a hat-trick last autumn and returned with a bang to win over a similar trip at Leicester on his return. The 10yo trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies also won off 8lb higher over fences last year so retains handicapping potential over the smaller obstacles and at 12/1 a win/place option.
Result - (12) Lively Citizen @6/1 [Archie Bellamy].
13:50 CF Roberts Electrical & Mechanical Services Mares' Handicap Chase
13:50 CF Roberts Electrical & Mechanical Services Mares' Handicap Chase
2m 4f 127y (Class 1 11 runners)
A 6yo mare carrying the Cheveley Park Stud silks Rose of Arcadia is trained by Colin Tizzard and already a winner on heavy going at Wincanton, can race off the same unchanged mark as her last run when third at the same track (fav that day) and likely to strip fitter today. The Irish raider is Pretty Little Liar who fell last time out when looking to be travelling well, two wins prior to that and isn't coming over for a holiday.
Result - (1) Vienna Court @12/1 [Sam Twiston-Davies].
A 6yo mare carrying the Cheveley Park Stud silks Rose of Arcadia is trained by Colin Tizzard and already a winner on heavy going at Wincanton, can race off the same unchanged mark as her last run when third at the same track (fav that day) and likely to strip fitter today. The Irish raider is Pretty Little Liar who fell last time out when looking to be travelling well, two wins prior to that and isn't coming over for a holiday.
Result - (1) Vienna Court @12/1 [Sam Twiston-Davies].
14:25 Betfair Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
3m 2f (Class 1 9 runners)
Santini may not be the force of old, was a runner up in a Gold Cup for Nicky Henderson, but is only nine years old so may still have something to offer in handicaps even with top weight for new trainer. Rocco was successful in the Badger Beers chase at Wincanton and carries 5lb more for that victory, will stay and shouldn't be worried by the uphill finish. As a possible outsider to chance in the place markets Potters Legend [Non Runner] had a decent campaign last season and was runner up in this contest twelve months ago.
Result - (9) Commodore @7/1 [Charlie Deutsch].
Santini may not be the force of old, was a runner up in a Gold Cup for Nicky Henderson, but is only nine years old so may still have something to offer in handicaps even with top weight for new trainer. Rocco was successful in the Badger Beers chase at Wincanton and carries 5lb more for that victory, will stay and shouldn't be worried by the uphill finish. As a possible outsider to chance in the place markets Potters Legend [Non Runner] had a decent campaign last season and was runner up in this contest twelve months ago.
Result - (9) Commodore @7/1 [Charlie Deutsch].
15:00 Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase
3m 6f 37y (Class 2 15 runners)
The 'feature' event on Friday is the Cross Country Chase and it's looking tricky but we feel safe in suggesting Midnight Maestro given the trainer's excellent record in these contests. Runner up last time at Punchestown and carrying the famous silks of owner JP McManus, surely going to be in the mix again today. A similar event last month saw Singing Banjo finish only a neck down in second here and a repeat of that effort should see another bold bid for success. The benefit of course experience is usually very valuable with a field full of Irish runners.
The 'feature' event on Friday is the Cross Country Chase and it's looking tricky but we feel safe in suggesting Midnight Maestro given the trainer's excellent record in these contests. Runner up last time at Punchestown and carrying the famous silks of owner JP McManus, surely going to be in the mix again today. A similar event last month saw Singing Banjo finish only a neck down in second here and a repeat of that effort should see another bold bid for success. The benefit of course experience is usually very valuable with a field full of Irish runners.
Result - (9) Diesel D'Allier @6/1 [Harry Bannister].
15:35 Citipost Handicap Hurdle
2m 7f 213y (Class 2 11 runners)
2m 7f 213y (Class 2 11 runners)
A regular at the grade one tracks Sporting John has mixed hurdles and chasing, latest win here was in a listed contest and even with top weight looks the one to beat today. Kansas City Chief [Won @9/1] is a likeable 12yo veteran who was all the better for his seasonal comeback run in Jersey when landing a course and distance handicap for this pilot back in October. Ran to a similar level of form when third next time out and one for the each-way players.
Result - (8) Kansas City Chief @9/1 [Victoria Malzard].
The results from this meeting will be updated later on during the afternoon and we hope you enjoy a good weekend too, more to come on Saturday here at Cheltenham. Hope to be able to go racing in 2022 sometime, until then stay safe.
No comments:
Post a Comment