Cheltenham 27 January 2024 Ga Law and Gavin Sheehan win for trainer Jamie Snowden Healy Racing© Photo Healy Racing
The December Gold Cup is the main event at Cheltenham on Saturday and provides plenty of opportunity to find value bets. Meanwhile, in Ireland, action takes place at Fairyhouse and Navan.
Stephen Harris and Vincent Finegan have selected their best bets and you can get 4 x €10 bets with William Hill to spend on the action:
14:47 Fairyhouse Saturday, 2m4f Handicap Hurdle
Portarlington showed improved form to win a course and distance handicap hurdle last month and followed that up with a victory over fences at Tramore. Back to hurdles here off an 8lbs higher mark it will be a surprise if he cannot bring up a quick hat trick of wins.
15:35 Cheltenham Saturday, 2m4f. 56yds Mares' Handicap Hurdle
Greyval is lurking on a good handicap mark and having flashed home to finish a never nearer third in a similar mares' contest at Wincanton last month she won't be far away on this stiffer circuit with a similar performance.
12:35 Navan Sunday, 2m4f Handicap Hurdle
Cast A Spell won a big field handicap hurdle over this course on her penultimate start and will find this assignment a lot easier than the Grade 2 event she ran in last time. This step up in trip looks a good move and she should perform well over a course that clearly suits her running style.
2.55 Navan, Sunday, 3m Handicap Chase
It will be no surprise to see an improved performance from Verdant Place today as he encounters decent ground for the first time over fences. The six-year-old quickly reached a fair level over hurdles, winning two handicaps at Punchestown early last year, and is now rated 11lbs lower over fences which suggests he is well-handicapped in this sphere.
1.50 Cheltenham Saturday, 2m4f December Gold Cup
Jamie Snowden has his team in excellent form, and his high class handicapper has been carried out on his sword twice already this winter.
2.25 Cheltenham Saturday, 2m Handicap Chase
Evan Williams’ chaser remains with upside in handicaps around two miles, and seems sure to be primed for this valuable Saturday prize on his seasonal reappearance (with Harry Cobden an encouraging booking).
3.00 Cheltenham Saturday, 3m Grade 2 Novice Hurdle
Joe Tizzard’s novice remains open to plenty more improvement granted a proper test at three miles, and he should relish this stiff track under Brendan Powell.
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