Friday’s action comes from Cheltenham on the opening day of the November Meeting, with the Listed novices’ chase registered as the Doctor Fothergill and the Grade 2 novices’ hurdle registered as the Hyde among the highlights.
Matty Sutcliffe has selected four horses for your bets on Friday’s card.
13:10 Cheltenham – AIS Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers’ Hurdle Series Qualifier) (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-125)
Five-year-olds have dominated this contest in recent years, and the obvious contender in here is Glancing Jack, who looks very well handicapped off 122 given his form with subsequent Grade 1 winner Storming George last season.
Now in the hands of Dan Skelton and Jimmy Fyffe, he can continue his improvement, but there is a suspicion there may be bigger targets down the line, and of the other limited five-year-olds in the field, ETON MES gets the nod.
He’s a Flat-bred sort who displayed little aptitude for hurdling in his qualifying runs, but that may have been by design, as he was well backed on his handicap debut to win off top weight at Uttoxeter in January under Rian Corcoran. That was a much-improved effort in the jumping department, and he travelled in the manner of one very well handicapped, with his rider not panicking once the eventual second went ahead of him two out.
He backed that up three weeks later at Wincanton from a 5lb higher mark, again travelling and jumping well under Rian Corcoran, who only got serious on his mount after the last. He pulled just shy of four lengths clear of the runner-up, who was sent off favourite and has since franked that form, now rated 117 over fences.
Eton Mes tailed off in two races thereafter, but he reappeared in first-time cheekpieces last month to finish a half-length second to a Dan Skelton inmate who had debuted for previous connections in the Fred Winter from a 12lb higher mark.
That one was clearly thrown in, and Eton Mes was only nudged up 2lb. His yard, David Pipe’s, targets this contest, with two winners since 2019 among other placed efforts in the race, and he can come on sharply for that reappearance.
13:45 Cheltenham – Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Novices’ Chase (Listed Race) (Registered As The Doctor Fothergill) (GBB) (Class 1) (4yo+)
The jury is still out on whether chasing will bring out the best in Derryhassen Paddy, for all he made eye-catching progress late on at the October meeting, but I’d be worried his jumping could be put to the test early on this good ground, and that may catch him out once more.
The alternative is KING’S BUCKS, who made a promising chase debut at Galway over an inadequate trip, beaten two lengths behind one who already had chasing experience. He travelled and jumped well there, but was just caught for speed late on.
He’s clearly a horse connections view highly, as he contested the Hyde on this card last year on just his second start over hurdles, beaten only three lengths into third by subsequent Challow winner No Drama This End.
His Albert Bartlett blip was sandwiched by two placed efforts against respectable hurdlers, but as a point winner, chasing was always going to be his bag, and now stepping up in trip, he can belatedly get off the mark under rules for Henry de Bromhead, whose yard won a similar contest at the October meeting.
14:55 Cheltenham – Jilly Cooper Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Class 2) (9yo+ 0-150)
TRIPLE TRADE is two from three in veterans’ company (unseating at the first in the other) after returning this season with a neck success in a Market Rasen feature, collaring race-fit horses late on.
He’d lost his way for a season, but returned in good form last year to win here on his seasonal debut, and he is 5lb better off with Glengouly, who was four lengths behind that day. He remained consistent for the most part, finishing third here behind the progressive David’s Well and stablemate JPR One, before comfortably stepping up in trip to land a veterans’ chase at Sandown.
The Joe Tizzard yard took this race last year, and with track, ground and trip all assured, along with Harry Cobden aboard, he looks to have a strong chance off a workable mark.
15:30 Cheltenham – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Hyde) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
Connections won this with Potters Charm in 2024, and FEROCIMO looks to have been similarly aimed at the contest by a yard that rarely misses when targeting these early-season prizes.
The Order Of St George gelding was purchased for £115,000 following his point-to-point win in March, the third from which won under rules at Punchestown earlier this week. He then justified strong market support on his rules debut at Fontwell, drawing 14 lengths clear of his main market rival in good style, jumping well throughout and never looking in any danger.
From the family of Ferny Hollow, he’s bred to be smart, and it appears as if it’ll take a well above-average novice to beat him.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Four to Watch for Friday 13 November
13:10 Cheltenham – AIS Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers’ Hurdle Series Qualifier) (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-125) – Eton Mes 1pt EW 5 places
13:45 Cheltenham – Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Novices’ Chase (Listed Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) – King’s Bucks 2pt WIN
14:55 Cheltenham – Jilly Cooper Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Class 2) (9yo+ 0-150) – Triple Trade 1pt WIN
15:30 Cheltenham – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Hyde) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Ferocimo 1pt WIN
FAQs
When was Matthew Sutcliffe’s article published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s article was published at 4pm on Wednesday 11 November.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GG’s newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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