Cheltenham Saturday Preview - 24/10/20

The first race of the day is the Class 2 Matheson Hurdle and this contest over two miles looks to be one of the best races in terms of talent across the day.

The Gary Moore trained Botox Has gets our verdict with the four year old gelding looking like a quality gelding last season and will be looking to pick back up from where he left off.

Having been given to Moore last term he raced three times over timber winning twice and placing once with his two latest runs coming over course and distance at Cheltenham.

He finished second to Allmankind in a Grade Two Juvenile hurdle in November and used that to land a decent event next time out.

He will need to reverse the form with the Triumph Hurdle third but looks a highly progressive animal.

The second event of the day is the four runner Novices' Chase over two and half miles and the Dan Skelton trained Not That Fuisse looks the value in the race.

Having been hit and miss over fences last term, the seven year old seemed to have warmed to fences this term off the back of his past experiences.

He went to Perth on his seasonal debut at September and in a decent event, jumped and travelled the best of the bunch to get off the mark and he should build from that run in this event.

The Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle sees a huge field go to post and with that in mind we have two strong selections that we believe will both enter the frame.

The first is the Tom Lacey trained Neville's Cross who has been in exceptional form so far this term, being unbeaten on both his starts.

Having been knocking on the door last term, he finally got off the mark at Uttoxeter on his seasonal debut and then backed that up at Hereford and although this is tougher, you can't get away from his form line currently seeking a hat-trick.

Robbie Power also takes the rides which is interesting.

Tobefair at a bigger price is our other selection and this 10 year old loves racing at Cheltenham with his last six contests being ran here.

In his last six events the gelding has two wins and two places at the track and although his last two runs were below his best, he still retains his talent especially at this track.

The course and distance winner races off 1lb lower than his sixth in the Stayers' Hurdle at last seasons festival and if running close to that form has to have a big each way shout.

One of the feature races on the Cheltenham card on Saturday is the Class 2 Handicap Chase over 3 miles 1 furlong and the horse that takes the eye is Cobra De Mai.

The Dan Skelton trained runner offers a lot of value in this betting market having given some solid outings at this track over the years.

Two starts ago the eight year old was a staying on sixth in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the festival which reads really well.

He made his seasonal debut at Fontwell where he looked like he needed the run and he should now be primed for this type of event, being 4lb lower than his sixth in the Ultima.

Minella Encore gets the nod from us in this Novices' Hurdle over three miles with the eight year old having what looks to be one of her final runs in this sphere.

The son of King's Theatre was very consistent last term over timber placing on all three of his events at Thurles, Cork and Punchestown in big fielded events.

Having moved from Willie Mullins to Dr Richard Newland this term, he got off the mark at the first time of asking at Uttoxeter in a maiden hurdle.

He should build on that run and if doing so has a huge chance of doubling up in Britain.

The penultimate event of the day is the 3 mile 1 furlong Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase and Jen's Boy for Nicky Henderson looks the stand out runner.

Cheltenham Gold Cup winning rider Sam Waley-Cohen gets the mount which is always helpful in these types of races with the riders not having as much experience as he will.

Jen's Boy has been seen three times this term finishing runner up in all of his events at Southwell, Fontwell and Hexham and that form looks some of the strongest on offer.

The final race of the day is the only bumper to be staged across the two days at Cheltenham and it looks to be a cracker with plenty of rising stars ready to be unleashed.

Our selection is the Chris Gordon trained Smurphy Enki who holds more experience than most of the field which should play to his strengths.

The five year old last year was running in point to points and was placing in some three mile events and off the back of that finally made his racecourse debut at Wincanton in March.

The gelding got off the mark in fine style, landing the race by 18 lengths and although this is a tougher race that was so emphatic and deserves respect.