Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Cheltenham December Meeting Day 1 Tips
FRIDAY RACING TIPS
Cheltenham 1.15 – 2m Handicap Hurdle
I like Fortune De Mer (3/1) in this.
His best form has come at Cheltenham, so a return to this track has to be a positive and he ran well on handicap debut at Ascot in November.
The Skelton team continue to fire in the winners left, right and centre and there’s a lot to like about their charge’s chances here.
Megan’s Tip: Fortune De Mer WIN
Cheltenham 1.50 – 3m2f Handicap Chase
This is a pretty trappy race, I must admit.
I’m going to go with L’Homme Presse (4/1) as he’s the class angle in here. We know he goes really well fresh, so I’m concerned about this being his first run of the season.
He’s the best horse in the race so he does have to carry a lot of weight but top weights in handicaps are never a bad angle and I expect him to prove too good for his rivals.
Megan’s Tip: L’Homme Presse WIN
Cheltenham 2.25 – Middle Distance Veterans' Chase Series Handicap Chase
Eldorado Allen (11/4 fav) can go back-to-back here.
I watched his win back from the last day at Cheltenham and, in all honesty, he won with loads in hand so the rise in the weights doesn’t worry me.
He’s clearly in really good form at the moment – and the key to these veterans is getting their confidence up and enjoying things again.
Megan’s Tip: Eldorado Allen Win
Cheltenham 3.00 – Cross Country Handicap Chase
I know he struggles to get his head in front but Mister Coffey (11/2) has got to be the safest option here.
Plenty in this field have questions to answer and Mister Coffey continues to run really well so, with Nicky Henderson’s horses beginning to catch fire, I wonder if this might finally be his runner’s time to get his day in the sun.
Megan’s Tip: Mister Coffey EW
Cheltenham 3.35 – 3m Handicap Hurdle
I’ll be backing Lucky Manifest (10/3) in the, pardon the pun, lucky last.
The form of his second over 2m5f at this track has been franked since and you’d like to think he can build on that here.
He steps up in trip and the way he finished off his race last time suggested the extra distance could unlock further improvement.
Megan’s Tip: Lucky Manifest WIN
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
