Racing returns to Cheltenham today as the build-up towards the Festival in March begins in earnest.
Courtesy of GG, Joe Napier has provided four best bets for the Saturday card at Prestbury Park exclusively for Metro.
1.10 Cheltenham – William Hill Each Way Extra Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
Potentially the biggest improver of the last jumps season, DOUBLE POWERFUL could easily remain on the upgrade over fences this campaign. The six-year-old won six races in a row between March and November 2024, including a handicap over hurdles at Cheltenham.
He has met with defeat on his three starts since, but all were in high quality handicap hurdles; he was second at Ascot last December, beaten a head by East India Express who has since improved a stone in the ratings, while he was third twice in the spring, first to subsequent Listed winner Aston Martini at Kempton, then at Aintree in a Grade 3 handicap when upped to 3m.
He faced double-figure fields in all of those contests, rising to a now career-high mark of 134. He should have no issue dropping back to 2m4f and should make into a chasing type, while he also won fresh last season. He should be fit to go, so if taking to chasing, he can continue his rich vein of form.
2.20 Cheltenham – William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase
Henry De Bromhead has won the last two renewals of this contest, so 2024 runner-up The Short Go is respected, as is National Hunt Chase runner-up Rock My Way. However, with the former out of form and the latter uncertain to give his best fresh, preference is for the Nicky Henderson-trained HYLAND to make a winning return.
He did so last season over course and distance, claiming the novice chase on this card by 15 lengths before repeating the trick at Listed level over Resplendent Grey, who won the bet365 Gold Cup later in the campaign. Hyland also has a runner-up effort in Grade 1 company to his name, chasing home the very promising The Jukebox Man in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton.
The grey did not get his head in front later in the season, though he almost certainly bumped into a handicap blot at Kempton in February, then found the Grand National to be too tough an ask. Henderson himself admitted it was too soon to crack the National in hindsight, but he promises to have a race in him off his mark of 147, so with a record of three wins from four starts at Cheltenham, he appeals most on the comeback trail.
2.55 Cheltenham – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle
Although the top-weight won this race a year ago, that winner was of a rarely high quality for a Pertemps qualifier. In such races, there is always a temptation to look down the handicap, with those possessing lower ratings more likely to need a win to qualify for the final in March than those with a higher mark.
The selection is among the Irish contingent in WATCHFUL PROTECTOR for Emmet Mullins. He has drifted as a result of seemingly being the yard’s second choice for the race behind Chance Another One, but there are too many factors which make him appeal more from a mark of 124 on his handicap debut.
The five-year-old showed up decently without challenging in four bumpers and maiden hurdles between January and April before disappointing on his return. However, he put that swiftly behind him to win cosily at Tipperary when upped to 2m3½f at the start of this month and plenty have improved for a greater emphasis on stamina for this yard. He could easily have further improvement in him and it is likely he needs a win here to improve his mark enough for March.
3.30 Cheltenham – Masterson Holdings Hurdle
Only one favourite has been successful in this four-year-old only event in the past decade though there have been no big shocks in that time either. Twice, Gary Moore-trained favourites have been overturned in that time, in 2020 and 2023, so while Give It To Me Oj is clear on form, HAMLET’S NIGHT could just surprise him.
The son of Invincible Spirit does not have a jumper’s pedigree but has joined James Owen, who has done so well with his younger hurdlers in recent seasons. He was only second on debut at Cartmel, but has learned his job quickly, scoring by eight lengths at Stratford, then conceding weight and experience to score comfortably at Warwick last month too.
That latter win was notably impressive, conceding 5lb to the 116-rated Beau Quali, a winner over fences since, and putting 5½ lengths between him and that runner-up. He will need more again here to down the favourite, but could easily be capable given Owen’s proficiency with horses of his type.
