The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for December 13th 2025
The Mandarin’s Cheltenham Racecard & Caroline’s Saturday Selections from Fairyhouse
Cheltenham
JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle 12.10
One Horse Town
Harry Derham’s One Horse Town wouldn’t have to improve much from his last run here to land this Triumph Trial. On heavy ground he really did put them all to the sword, with Paul O’Brien giving his mount plenty of rein, and One Horse Town made all to score by 4 lengths. Similar tactics would seem to be the order of the day once again, as the stiff finish on the New Course will demand plenty of stamina, and that might give One Horse Town the edge over Irish recruit Minella Study. One Horse Town to make it a one horse race, hopefully!
Michael Eakins Senior Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 12.40
Zertakt
Given the conditions, I’ll chance my arm with Venetia Williams’ Zertakt. He’s got stamina in droves, so won’t be throwing in the towel when plenty of others have found the taxing New Course on the tiring side, and there was surely no shame in being reeled in by the excellent Dom Of Mary in a Handicap Chase at Newcastle two weeks back. That was Zertakt’s first run of the season, so it’s fair to expect him to improve for that, so with The Jukebox Kid getting plenty of support this week, this pair look the ones to battle it out from my watch. Zertakt to win it with staying power over hot favourite The Jukebox Kid.
Quintessentially Mares’ Handicap Chase 1.15
Theonewedreamof
The move from Gavin Cromwell to Dan Skelton’s Lodge Hill Stables has certainly had a positive effect on Theonewedreamof. Second on her debut for the new yard, she went one better at Exeter upped to 3 miles, and it wouldn’t be a total surprise if Harry Skelton employed the same tactics as he did on Fortune De Mer here on Friday, switching his charge off at the rear of the field, and waking her up rounding the turn for home before the Cheltenham New Course’s stiff finish sorts out the winners from the also rans. Jamie Snowden’s She Is For Me Boys is on the four-timer, so commands respect, but I’ll stick with Theonewedreamof.
Support the Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 1.50
Jagwar (nap)
There’s plenty to like about the claims of Jagwar for the Gold Cup Handicap Chase. He’s two from two around Prestbury Park, and the training pair of Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero think that he’s ready to repeat the win in the Plate Handicap Chase here in March, so at just six, with four from five over fences, I’m expecting a big run. Vincenzo for Sam Thomas is another that runs well here so makes my shortlist, while Colonel Harry is reportedly in much better shape now so also enters calculations. Jagwar to justify favouritism, with Vincenzo the one to keep him honest.
Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap Chase 2.25
JPR One
Joe Tizzard’s JPR One has to shoulder top weight here, but he’s a class act on his day and can take this. There’s a clear day in the forecast, so I’m judging that the ground won’t be quite the limiting factor it can be, as JPR One doesn’t want too much cut, especially with 12 stone to lump round here, but it looks a wide open race where Chris Gordon’s David’s Well, Jane Williams’ Excelero and Dan Skelton’s Country Mile all make some appeal. Class to prevail, and JPR One to win.
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 3.00
Conman John (nb)
Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore have the key to this Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Trial with Conman John. He won a novice hurdle here at the October meeting, seeming to appreciate the step up in trip, and I’ll be hoping for a repeat performance stepped up to a Graded race. I have to say, this doesn’t look to me the strongest contest for the grade, but Dan Skelton’s Carlenrig would look the danger, but it’s Conman John for me.
Download The BetMGM App Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 3.35
Siog Geal
I think that on this course, Fergal O’Brien’s Siog Geal could be worth taking a chance on, given that she’s probably destined for Stayers’ trips in time. That’s my theory, in what does look like an open race, so Joe Tizzard’s in form Sweet Caryline and Paul Nicholls’ Jubilee Alpha both look likely types, while Ben Clarke’s Game Colours isn’t one to scratch out just yet. Siog Geal gets my vote, ahead of Sweet Caryline in a pretty competitive affair.
Fairyhouse
Irish Stallion farms EBF Beginners Chase 11.30
Karoline Banbou
I’m thinking that Karoline Banbou is going to be fairly useful over fences this season, so I’m ready to back her on her chasing debut. She’ll not be minding this soft ground, and as the choice of Mark Walsh, I’m assuming that she is the pick of the JP McManus trio. Maybe Willie Mullins holds the strongest hand with Sainte Tartare, but she was a bit untidy on her first start over fences the last day, making a mess of the first and then unseating at the second. She is entitled to come on for that run though, but Gordon Elliott’s Jacob’s Ladder may be a bigger danger after having two chase starts, though I’m sure he’ll be needing further in time. Cheekpieces are added to Jacob’s Ladder too, which rings a warning bell to me, so I’ll be chancing my luck with Karoline Banbou on her first try over fences.
Join Racing TV Now Rated Novice Chase 12.02
The Enabler
There’s no question over what I think is winning this, and that’s The Enabler. Gordon Elliott’s Walk In The Park gelding couldn’t stay with Kitzbuhel on his first start over fences, but there’s obviously some confidence in the camp as he graduates to a Rated Novice Chase. Only the five lining up for this, so a tricky little one, but I do think that The Enabler is the one with scope to improve and win this.
