The Mandarin’s Cheltenham Racecard for Friday 15th November 2024

The Mandarin’s Cheltenham Racecard for Friday 15th November

Lycetts Insurance Brokers Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle 1.10
Whatsupwithyou
Ben Pauling can take the opener on Cheltenham’s Friday card with Whatsupwithyou. He’ll have blown out any cobwebs when second to Colours On Canvas at Fontwell the last day, and might have won that Class 3 contest had he not fudged the last, going down by just the half length. There’s plenty of likely types lining up here, including Neil Mulholland’s Double Powerful and Fergal O’Brien’s Plaisir Des Flos, both on long winning streaks and getting money on this week, but Whatsupwithyou has a decent enough record around here, including a top ten finish in this race when an unfancied 33/1 last year. Last year’s winner, American Sniper carries top-weight, while Callum Pritchard claims a useful 10lbs on the selection in this Conditional Jockeys’ race, and that could be telling.

Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Novices’ Chase (Listed) 1.45
Hyland (nap)
Just the four lining up, so expect a trappy race, but recent course and distance winner Hyland just edges the vote. There’s been a bit of support this week for Jonjo O’Neill’s Springwell Bay, who comes here fresh from a win at Chepstow in a decent Listed contest, but Hyland’s 15 length win here last month was pretty impressive in a strung out field. Olly Murphy’s Resplendent Grey won well at Uttoxeter, so should keep the principals honest, but Hyland is the one to keep on side.

Shloer Chase (Grade 2) 2.20
Jonbon
It’s pretty hard to ignore the claims of last year’s winner Jonbon for the Shloer Chase. This full brother to the smart Douvan beat the re-opposing Edwardstone by nearly 10 lengths last November, and with better ground than last year Edwardstone picks up a negative point in the final appraisal. Nicky Henderson had a black cloud over his Seven Barrows yard for the Festival in March, so Jonbon was understandably withdrawn, but he’s nine wins and two runners-up spots from eleven starts over fences, so very hard to oppose with a brilliant record fresh. Jonbon has to be Friday’s banker.

Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase 2.55
Tommie Beau
Conflated is sure to be at the top of the betting for this Cross Country Chase, with a form book that oozes class, but the chance is taken on Seamus Mullins’s Tommie Beau. This hard as teak Brian Boru gelding has had a busy year, but with a superb record of 38 finishes from 40 starts, there’s every chance he’ll be there at the business end over this course. Nick Henderson’s Mister Coffey tries his luck over these unique fences for the first time, and these three complete the shortlist. Tommie Beau to spring the surprise, with lumps of weight in his favour from the jolly.

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 3.30
Valgrand (nb)
Valgrand wouldn’t have to improve much from his win here the last day to take further Grade 2 honours here. The field couldn’t get a touch on Dan Skelton’s impressive winner, making all in that Sky Bet Novices’ Hurdle in the October meeting, so with conditions in his favour, and the yard in flying form, Valgrand is an easy pick. That said, there’s been plenty of support for Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Potters Charm this week, but his win here on the same card was in a Novices’ Hurdle, so this is a jump in grade. Valgrand to confirm dominance over Gale Mahler from their last clash, with Potters Charm to round them up.

Valda Energy Novices’ Handicap Hurdle 4.00
Wreckless Eric
It could be worth taking a chance on Jonjo O’Neill’s Wreckless Eric for the closer on Friday. He was looking to make his move when falling 2 out at Wincanton the last day, but was just a length off the leader when going down, so gets the vote here for the in-form O’Neill yard. Harry Derham is another trainer that has been firing in the winners, so Balhambar is noted, while Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Clap Of Thunder made a good impression when bolting up at Ascot and looks the tempting each-way angle. Wreckless Eric to continue to progress.

The Mandarin