© Photo Healy Racing
National Hunt action continues at Cheltenham on Saturday while Galway stages its two-day Autumn Festival. Find four horses to follow at the meeting served up by Vincent Finegan and Stephen Harris.
Oskar High (nap) 16:45 Galway Saturday 3m Handicap Hurdle
It is worth taking a chance that veteran Oskar High can bounce back from a below par effort last time out (not helped by a bad mistake) now that he is returned to a longer trip and back at his favourite track. He is a seven time winner of staying handicap hurdles, including twice over this course.
Hgranca De Thaix 16:13 Galway Saturday 2m5f Handicap Hurdle
Barry Connell gave Hgranca De Thaix a break after notching up two chase wins earlier in the year and while his main aim will be big staying chases later in the season he can take advantage of a favourable hurdle rating here. He won by a wide margin over the course two seasons ago when also coming off a break.
Givemefive 3.30 Cheltenham Saturday 2m Masterson Holding Hurdle
Harry Derham is flying at the moment with 5 winners firm his last 12 runners in the last 14 days, and his unexposed hurdler seems sure to be primed for his seasonal reappearance in this valuable Class 2. He comes here sharpened up by a spin on the flat at Haydock in September, and there is plenty more improvement in the tank after just four starts over hurdles so far.
Hardy Boy 2.55 Cheltenham Saturday 2m7f Handicap Hurdle
Ben Pauling’s handicapper could have a fitness edge over some of these rivals at this stage of the season, and a strongly run big field handicap should bring his stamina into play up the sapping final Cheltenham hill.
