Cheltenham December Meeting Friday Tips
It's the Cheltenham Christmas meeting, with two days of action to get stuck into. We've picked out a selection for each race on day one.
12:05 – Novices' Hurdle
Old Park Star took a little time to come to himself, but his Kempton win last month marked a clear step forward. He travelled smoothly, jumped fluently, and quickened smartly when asked, shaping like a horse only just beginning to unlock his ability. The form looks solid and the time backed it up. With Nicky Henderson's novices typically improving at this stage and his bumper runs reading well, he looks the one poised to progress again and prove hard to beat.
Selection: Old Park Star @ 2/1
12:40 – Novices' Chase
Sixmilebridge returns to Cheltenham as a chaser firmly on the up, impressing when making a smooth winning reappearance at Ayr. He travelled strongly, jumped fluently, and finished with plenty in hand, suggesting further progress is inevitable. Though his novice hurdle season ended in frustration, fences have clearly unlocked his potential, and a more galloping track should play to his strengths. With stamina assured and improvement to come, he looks poised to make it 2-2 over fences.
Selection: Sixmilebridge @ 7/4
13:15 – Handicap Hurdle
Fortune De Mer looks a novice on a sharp upward curve, and the 13:15 at Cheltenham provides another perfect platform for his progress. His Grade 2 breakthrough here in October showcased a hurdler well above average: slick jumping, strong travelling, and real grit up the hill to beat Doctor Blue. Cheltenham clearly suits him, and his recent Ascot run, giving weight and still running a big race, reinforces that. With conditions ideal and course form a major plus, he looks primed to take another step forward.
Selection: Fortune De Mer @ 3/1
13:50 – Handicap Chase
Henry's Friend has evolved into one of the most reliable staying chasers around, and this race looks tailor-made for him. His Ascot comeback win in a competitive Grade 3 showed a seasoned stayer still on the upgrade, travelling smoothly, jumping fluently, and finishing strongly. A true stamina test is exactly what he thrives on, as his dominant Newbury win last winter proved. Cheltenham suits his economical style, and with Ben Pauling's yard in form, he should take another step forward on his second run of the season.
Selection: Henry's Friend @ 15/2
14:25 – Handicap Chase
Fugitif has long been a fixture in these competitive 2m4f Cheltenham handicaps, and even at ten he still has the tools to strike when things fall right. His reappearance was better than it looked, travelling strongly before the soft ground found him out after a long break. That run should bring him on, and a workable mark has given the runner an excellent chance here. With Charlie Maggs claiming and knowing him well, and the Hobson team adept at readying him for these midwinter targets, he looks poised to run a big race again.
Selection: Fugitif @ 9/2
15:00 – Handicap Chase
Favori De Champdou looks a fascinating Cross Country contender, especially with Gordon Elliott's renowned skill in this sphere. A strong stayer with economical jumping, he shaped well on his Fairyhouse return and should be sharper now. With proven graded form and ideal attributes for this demanding test, he looks set to play a major role.
Selection: Favori De Champdou @ 14/1
15:35 – Handicap Hurdle
Tranquil Sea has taken his form up a notch since joining Dan Skelton, and his recent runs suggest there is more progress to come. He impressed at Chepstow before backing it up with two solid efforts in stronger company, travelling well and jumping with assurance. A return to 3m on a galloping track should suit ideally, and with Harry Skelton again in the saddle, he looks primed for another big performance.
Selection: Tranquil Sea @ 3/1
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
