The Mandarin’s Cheltenham Racecard for Saturday 16th November 2024

The Mandarin’s Cheltenham Racecard for Saturday 16th November

JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) 12.35
East India Dock
Now housed in James Owen’s Green Ridge Stables after the short move from James Fanshawe’s yard, East India Dock wasted no time in opening his account over timber at Wincanton. He finished that Class 4 contest with a bit to spare, and it will be no surprise to see him take this Triumph Hurdle Trial for the in-form yard. There’s plenty of dangers in this line-up, not least Olly Murphy’s Static, who comes here off the back of a Listed win at Chepstow, and the Irish filly Prairie Angel for Joseph O’Brien. East India Dock to make it two from two.

Steel Plate & Sections Ltd Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase 1.10
The Newest One
Nigel Twiston-Davies sends out The Newest One for this Handicap Chase, and he wouldn’t have to improve much from his course and distance win last month to take this. He’s been awarded a 5lb hit by the Handicapper for that win, so the second in that race, Jimmy The Digger will be hoping to get closer this time, and rates the main danger, while Come On Teddy has made the move from Tom George to the in-form yard of Harry Derham. This completes the shortlist, but The Newest One gets the vote.

Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 1.45
L’eau Du Sud (nap)
This Arkle Trial can go to Dan Skelton’s L’eau Du Sud, who was so impressive on his chasing bow at Stratford last month, putting 10 lengths of daylight between him and No Risk Des Flos. He took that race by the scruff of the neck, making all, and with only one slight error at the fourth was a sound round of fencing. More to come and the one to beat.

Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2.20
Ga Law
It could pay to side with Jamie Snowden’s Ga Law for this hot handicap. If it’s horses for courses, Ga Law is as good a pick as any, having won this race in 2022 and now lines up just 2lbs higher. His seasonal reappearance at Chepstow was a fine run, only finding the well-weighted Grandeur D’Ame too good, and he can only strip fitter for that first outing. There’s been plenty of money this week for Ginny’s Destiny, but Paul Nicholls’s Yeats gelding does need a run to be seen at his best, while Harry Derham’s Imagine cost a pretty penny out of Gordon Elliott’s yard and is highly touted. Ga Law to put in another decent shift around Prestbury Park, with classy top-weight Protektorat completing the list of dangers.

From The Horses Mouth Podcast Handicap Hurdle 2.55
Doyen Quest (nb)
Dan Skelton’s Doyen Quest won here at the Festival in March, and showed plenty when chasing home Josh The Boss in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow last month. With better ground just the ticket for this Doyen gelding, a big run is on the cards under Harry Skelton, who has been knocking up the winners this season, second only to Sean Bowen in the Jump Jockeys Championship, but with the best strike rate at 26%. Top-weight Gowel Road can keep Doyen Quest honest for the win, while Martin Keighley’s course winner Pinnacle Peak makes an interesting each-way angle.

Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle 3.30
Wyenot
Course winner Wyenot looks a solid enough chance for this Intermediate Handicap Hurdle. Henry Daly’s mare is now four from six over timber, and didn’t have to be all out to win in this grade at the October meeting, so can cope with the 6lb rise with Sam Twiston-Davies back in the hot seat. Dan Skelton’s prolific Major Fortune is one going the right way for his in-form yard, though might get outpaced on ground this quick, so Tony Martin’s Hamsiyann is a fascinating Irish raider, last seen just over 2 lengths behind stablemate Alphonse Le Grande in the Chester Plate, and has been backed in this week. Wyenot to score, with Hamsiyann making her work for her money.

Karmdean Designflooring Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race (Listed) 4.00
Korinthia
It wouldn’t be a Cheltenham meeting without Willie Mullins being involved, and he has a top chance of landing this Listed Mares’ Flat race with Korinthia. She was mightily impressive at Limerick last month, with today’s jockey Patrick Mullins just coasting home under a hands and heels ride. She looks one right out of the top drawer, and goes for the hat-trick here, with Point recruit Settle Down Jill sent straight into a Listed contest from Dan Skelton’s yard an interesting rival. Korinthia to score for the ubiquitous Willie Mullins.

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