Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Cheltenham November Meeting Day Two & Wetherby Tips
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
Cheltenham 12.35 – JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle
This is a very interesting race and we’ll learn a lot about these horses after this.
The one I like is David Pipe’s Parchment (11/4).
I’ve got quite a good gauge on his ability because the horse that finished second to him is now with my dad, Paul.
He’s shown plenty at home and could be a nice horse going forward, so the fact Parchment beat him fair and square could mean he is a pretty handy type.
The likely favourite is Precious Man (9/4 fav) and I think he’s worth taking on as having looked through his French form it’s not bad but it’s not fantastic. I would also be a little wary about a tongue-tie being worn on debut.
If there’s an each-way option then it could be Matiwo (25/1).
He looked very green on debut at Chepstow but I thought he ran on towards the finish in quite eye-catching fashion and the fourth has come out and won since, so the form has some substance.
Jane Williams does well with her juveniles and Matiwo could be overpriced if he improves from the Chepstow appearance.
Megan’s Tip: Parchment WIN; Matiwo EW
Cheltenham 2.20 – Paddy Power Gold Cup
This is always a cracker and I thought this year’s race was really open.
Having been through the field, I do think Il Ridoto (5/1) is incredibly solid and I’d be very surprised if you don’t get a decent run for your money.
He loves Cheltenham and won this race last year off effectively only four pounds higher, so he’s weighted to go well again.
He actually ran better on return this year at Chepstow than last year so you’ve got to think he’s got a really solid chance of following up 12 months later.
I’m sure this has been the target for a while and my dad is a dab hand at readying one for a big handicap.
My each-way selection is Riskintheground (25/1).
He won the Silver Trophy here in April where he beat Il Ridoto and opened this year’s campaign with a good victory over Blueking d'Oroux at Newton Abbott.
That horse has obviously won a Grade Two at Wincanton since and is now rated 147 over fences, so a rating of 142 for Riskintheground could underestimate his ability.
Megan’s Tip: Il Ridoto WIN; Riskintheground EW
Cheltenham 2.55 – 2m7f Handicap Hurdle
This looks very trappy but Gavin Cromwell rarely leaves these early season Cheltenham meetings without a winner and I’ll be backing his Londonofficecallin (8/1).
He hasn’t done much in two handicaps on the Flat since bolting up over 1m 6f at Fairyhouse but the most recent of those runs was after an 80-day break so I wonder if that was very much a pipe opener for a hurdles campaign.
The last time he ran over obstacles he came out victorious and, while he’s 10 pounds higher now, the horse he touched off has won since.
He might still have a bit more improvement to come and his trainer’s horses always run well at this track.
Megan’s Tip: Londonofficecallin EW
Wetherby 3.10 – Introductory Hurdle
I know Cueros (10/3) well and connections are hopeful he’ll turn out to be quite smart.
He’s in great form at home and we’re expecting him to take a good step forward from his stable and hurdle debut at Newcastle, where he won very impressively.
I don’t think that was much of a race last time but did it really well and Harry Derham has booked Patrick Mullins to ride him which is pretty eye-catching.
Megan’s Tip: Cueros WIN
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
