ITV Racing Tips for Cheltenham and Doncaster on Saturday 14th December
1:50 Cheltenham
The first race on ITV is the competitive December Gold Cup. A handicap chase over the extended 2m4f trip.
The one for me here is MADARA (5/1) NAP. The unexposed 5 year-old really caught the eye when coming from off the pace to finish a never nearer 4th in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on his first run for the Skeltons. He was a star Chester for Sophie Leech last season but you’d have to expect top trainer Harry Skelton to bring out further improvement. He ran his best races last season in cheekpieces and it is no surprise to see Skelton putting them back on Madara for this big pot with that seasonal reappearance under his belt. A previous course winner, I think he’s the one they have to beat now he’s proven the trip should hold no fears.
2:05 Doncaster
The first race from Doncaster is the 2:05. It is a decent 3m handicap chase.
It is FORWARD PLAN (9/2) for me who looks to land this contest again after winning it in 2023. He comes here under a similar preparation after finishing a respectable 4th in the competitive Badger Beer Handicap Chase last month. Last season he finished mid-division at Wetherby before landing this. He’s 12lb higher this time round but he improved throughout last season and I have no doubt he’s a better horse now than he was this time last year. He looks sure to run a big race.
2:25 Cheltenham
The 2:25 from Cheltenham is a trappy handicap chase over the extended 2 miles.
I think MASTER CHEWY (11/4) NB can show his class to land this handicap. A pleasing comeback effort at Kempton after a successful novice campaign last season, he was then pitched into the Grade 1 Tingle Creek last week. He was running well in that before he fell at the sixth, albeit it was a long way out. However, all must be well for him to be back out the following week and as a result of the fall he won’t have have a hard race. I think he can give weight away to the field here.
2:40 Doncaster
The second race ITV cover from Doncaster is a listed mares hurdle race over an extended 3 miles.
West Balbao will be tough to beat but I think OTTIZZINI (15/2) can run a big race here and give her a lot to think about. She was an impressive winner at Ayr in October of this year where she made all, jumped well and won cosily by 9 lengths. I’m happy to forgive her last run at Haydock as she prefers a much quicker surface than she got that day and them big deep handicaps don’t appear to be her bag. She likes small fields, quick ground and likes to be able to dictate. I think she’ll get that opportunity here and I think she’ll run a decent race. She’s a worthy alternative to the favourite.
3:00 Cheltenham
The 3:00 contest is the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle over 3m.
I like CLONDAW GENERAL (10/3) in this for the Kim Bailey yard. A winner of his only point to point start in January 2024, he made a promising stable debut when winning at Worcester over 2m7f back in October. He looks all stamina so this 3m trip round Cheltenham with the stiff finish will be ideal. He will have learnt a lot for that run at Worcester too and I’d now expect bundles of improvement with that run under his belt.
3:35 Cheltenham
The final race is a mares handicap hurdle over an extended 2m4f.
It’s GEORGI GIRL (13/2) I like in this. I was really taken with her victory on seasonal debut at Warwick where she travelled strongly, cut through the pack and won going away in taken fashion. A 5lb rise for that looks fair and I think this race may pan out to similar effect. She’ll get a decent gallop to aim at which she’ll enjoy and the ground should be ideal for her with no rain around. Ben Jones keeps the ride and he’s a jockey I rate highly so that’s an added positive.
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