ITV Racing Saturday Preview Cheltenham & Doncaster 28/10/23

A winner when last seen over 18 furlongs, highly tried over a variety of trips over his career, he wasn't as effective over 2.5 and 3 miles but found some decent form at the end of last season over hurdles as a 2 miler.

He returned from his seasonal lay off in a handicap chase which he duly picked apart with a dominant front running display. The handicapper has only given him 5lbs for that win and off a lowly looking mark of 127, he looks like he could still be well in over this kind of trip.

He's match fit and might just put these to the sword with some good jumping and a decent pace from the front.

Went from strength to strength for Gary Moore last season winning four of his five starts over hurdles, culminating with him easily beating his elders in a low grade affair with ease.

Proving himself on ground from good to heavy, he was incredibly versatile last season and might just have taken another major step forward with a summer under his belt.

With Nicholls' horses not firing on all cylinders at the moment it looks like it'll be worth taking on the favourite with this impressive looking 4 year old.

The winner of this contest 12 months ago, Lord Accord looks to be following the same route that led him to victory here last year and might just be well enough handicapped to take advantage again.

Sent for a prep run over hurdles three weeks ago, its the same way he was prepped for this race last year which saw him claim a 4 length victory over The Wolf off a mark of 131.

A couple of poor outings at the end of last season has seen his mark drop down to 132 and he could just be well lined up for another good crack at this race.

Pertemps Qualifiers can be difficult to navigate but one that looks like he can go well in this is Kim Bailey's Espoir De Romay. After looking like he could be a force to be reckoned with over fences, connections look to have abandoned those plans after a few bad outings over the bigger obstacles.

Dropped to hurdles last season, he was only seen a handful of times but ran well in a qualifier at Exeter despite being hampered at the final flight. He then went on to place twice over the smaller obstacles, most notably when last seen finishing behind subsequent Summer Cup winner Twig.

He tends to go well fresh and remains on a mark of 138, if running to the same form as last season he should give a good account on his seasonal return.

A fantastic debut season for this juvenile, Ancient Wisdom has been seen four times this season and has got his head in front three times.

We last saw the Godolphin charge winning the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket two weeks ago in a powerful display that saw him cut through the soft ground with ease to an impressive Group Three Victory.

If handling the quick two week turnaround, he's proven he can handle the slow ground and arrives in top form.

Last seen finding only Purosangue too good at York in a listed contest, Esquire had pulled well clear of the remainder with that rival but only found a top rival too good.

He will face similar conditions here today and is coming off only a two week turnaround but the form of the York run looks solid and the best piece of form on offer here.

If in the same spirit as last time, he should be going close again.

Grant Tuer's 3 year old filly has been incredibly busy this season and this month, She's already been seen twice in October and has run well to be placed on both occasions.

Going close on good ground over 7 furlongs, she was then only narrowed denied again on soft going over the minimum trip when last seen behind Vintage Clarets.

The handicapper has responded to the tune of 2lbs but she still looks well handicapped and showed she can handle the sharper trip and soft underfoot conditions. Another run similar to last time should she her going close again here.