ITV Racing Tips for Friday 13th December from Cheltenham and Bangor

1:50 Cheltenham

The first of five live races from Cheltenham is a trappy handicap chase for the stayers over 3m2f. 

I expect CHIANTI CLASSICO (13/8) NAP to defy top weight here and continue his progression.  A progressive novice chaser last season, he won the competitive Ultima here at Cheltenham in March and followed that up with a close 4th at Grade 1 level at Aintree. He returned this season with an impressive victory at Ascot and he looks set for another productive campaign. This track and trip suits him well and he can get plenty of his rivals in trouble a long way from home if he jumps with his usual enthusiasm.

 

2:05 Bangor

The 2:05 from Bangor is a maiden hurdle over just shy of the 2m4f trip.

It’s hard to get away from Irish challenger KEVINS PRIDE (EVS) in this. A decent bumper winner last season, he made an encouraging hurdles debut when finishing second of 10 at Carlisle going down by a neck. He brings ability and experience into this maiden contest and I think compensation awaits.

 

2:25 Cheltenham

The 2:25 is up next, a Veterans Handicap Chase over an extended 2m4f.

It is DASHEL DRASHER (11/2) for me here. He could well relish this drop into Veterans company as he was running well in Grade 1 hurdle races last season. He’s just as good over a fence and his third-placed effort behind Pic D’Orhy would have certainly blown the cobwebs away. I expect a bold bid from the front.

 

2:40 Bangor

The second race from Bangor comes up at 2:40, a handicap hurdle over 2m7f.

I have no doubt THANKSFORTHEHELP (11/2) is better than his current mark of 118 and he’s the one I like in this. A very lightly raced sort who’s obviously had his problems in the past. However, he showed enough promise when finishing 4th at Cheltenham last month and his turn looks near if he can stay healthy. This race is weaker and he looks to hold a lively chance.

 

3:00 Cheltenham

The 3:00 from Cheltenham is a competitive Cross Country Handicap Chase.

I like STUMPTOWN (9/2) NB here for the Gavin Cromwell yard. The 7-year-old looks the improver in the line-up and can complete a Cross Country hat-trick here. A winner of his last two starts over the Cross Country track at Punchestown, I think he’ll be able to show he’s just as effective here at Cheltenham. The extra distance won’t be a problem and he’s clearly thriving at the moment so today might be his day. A lot of his other rivals may have March and the 2025 Cheltenham Festival in mind.

 

3:35 Cheltenham 

We finish Friday’s action with a handicap hurdle over 3m.

I think BHALOO (12/1) EW looks interesting here for the Nicky Henderson yard. A really consistent novice hurdler last season who always seems to hit the frame at the very least, he returned to action over fences at Ascot in a trappy 4-runner affair in October and won that pretty comfortably in the end. I think the step up 3m is interesting and he’s certainly unexposed both back over hurdles and over 3 miles. He looks overpriced to me in this line-up with further improvement to come.

 

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