Cheltenham Sunday – Preview

[Wandering Eyes]

Sunday marks the third and final day of the November Cheltenham meeting and the track is set to host a total of a six-race card. ITV Racing are televising four of the races which are set to round off a thrilling weekend of racing at the Gloucestershire located track.

Racing Post Arkle Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase

The first race set to be televised is the Racing Post Arkle Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase (registered as the November Novices’ Chase) (Grade 2) and is set to air at 1.50pm. Open to horses four years and older, just six go to post in the two-mile contest.

Nicky Henderson is responsible for any entries over the three days of racing and runs Claimantakinforgan. The six-year-old is set to be steered by Jeremiah McGrath and his current form suggests he will be a big threat. Although only his last outing was his chasing debut he put on a good performance to win the two-mile Beginners’ Chase at Uttoxeter. The son of Great Pretender is the ante-post favourite and one to watch.

Philp Hobbs-trained Defu Du Seuil is another strong entry. Set to be ridden by Barry Geraghty, the five-year-old runs in the colours of renowned Irish owner, J.P Mc Manus. Two seasons back he was he was a top juvenile hurdler and connections will be hopeful he can return to this form on Sunday.

Others names to note are Colin Tizzard’s Pingshou and Richard Johnson’s Lalor.

Selection: Defu Du Seuil

Shloer Chase 

The (Old) Shloer Chase (Registered As The Cheltenham Chase) is the second race to air on ITV Racing and it welcomes a field of six runners to the field. Open to horses four years and older the going is set to be good.

Sceau Royal who is trained by Alan King holds the spot in the ante-post favourite position in the two-mile contest and he is set to be ridden by Daryl Jacob.

The six-year-old latest form is 12111 however he has not been on the track since last January where he won at Doncaster. Connections of the son of Doctor Dino will be hopeful he can keep return to this form when returning to the track.

Nicky Henderson runs Brain Power in this two-mile contest and he is to be partnered with Aidan Coleman. The seven-year-old son of Kalanisi is returning to the track post a wind operation which will make for interesting viewing as he has not been seen on the track since last April, where he fell at Aintree.

Others to keep a close eye on are Paul Nicholls-trained Le Prezien who is set to be ridden by Barry Geraghty and Sizing Granite who is trained by Colin Tizzard is certainly one to watch on the betting market and is set to be ridden by Richard Johnson.

Selection: Sceau Royal

Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle

The Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle is run over a two and a half mile track and welcomes a large field of twenty runners going to post, with the going set to be good.

Nicky Henderson holds two entries on the field, with Verdana Blue being the ante-post favourite, who is set to be ridden by Jeremiah McGrath. The six-year-old is clearly in top form but the question remains has she done enough running to win? The daughter of Getaway stormed home earlier this month to win the Unibet Elite Hurdle with ease at Wincanton and connections will be eager that the six-year-old continues to perform.

Henderson’s other entry is five-year-old Charli Parcs who will be ridden by Barry Geraghty. The five-year-old comes off the back of finishing fourth in the Scottish Champion Hurdle last April. He will be one to watch on the betting market each way if he returns in similar form.

Warren Greatex’s Western Ryder proved himself as a smart novice last season however the six-year-old will have to prove himself yet again as he returns to the track for the first time since last April.

Others to keep an eye on include Evan Williams-trained Silver Streak set to be partnered by Adam Wedge and Nube Negra who is trained by Dan Skelton.

Selection: Verdana Blue

Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle 

The Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle is set to air at 3.30pm and six runners go to post in this two and a half mile furlong contest.

Olly Murphy’s Itchy Feet (excuse the name on the pun!) is expected to put on a show as he is partnered with jockey Gavin Sheehan. Although perhaps the four-year-older old is lacking in experience in terms of the number of runs he has had on the track, the son of Cima De Triomphe won on his last outing in a gamely manner to win the Listed Novice Hurdle at Kempton.

Tom George runs Seddon, who since returning to the track at the start of the month, since his last run in March, the five-year-old, put on a brave performance to win the two and a half mile furlong at Stratford among a field of ten runners.

Others to note among entries are Dan Skelton’s Anytime Will Do who is set to be ridden by Harry Skelton and Colin Tizzard’s four-year-old Elixir De Nutz who is set to be partnered by Harry Cobden.

Selection: Seddon

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