Fresh from tipping up Meetmebythesea in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday, Matty Sutcliffe is back with his best bets across day three of Cheltenham’s November Meeting on Sunday 15th November.
12:50 Cheltenham – mallardjewellers.com Maiden Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+)
Warren Greatrex had the second in this last season with Gaelic Pride, so I’d imagine he’s targeted one of his better novices at the contest thus ISLAND GETAWAY is chanced with that in mind.
He didn’t go un-fancied in two bumpers last season, but he hung left and ran green in the first and didn’t particularly look comfortable once under pressure in the second, beaten fairly on both occasions. A switch to this left-handed track on hurdles debut looks suitable on that evidence.
He’s had wind surgery in the interim, and he’s undoubtedly bred to improve for this switch to hurdles. His half brother was a multiple winner on good ground for Gordon Elliott last season, and the pair are closely related to the former 154 rated hurdler Le Patriote, whose best form came on good ground including at Cheltenham.
We’re obviously taking a chance, but he looks wildly overpriced given the aforementioned reasoning and Warren Greatrex is in excellent form.
13:25 Cheltenham – WKD Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4yo+)
The unbeaten Crystal Island is the one to fear here but I’d be concerned Nicky Henderson has previously said he wouldn’t want ground quicker than good, nor has he fully matured.
FOUR SPRINGS is the alternative, who made a successful chase debut for Ben Pauling despite all of his yard’s runners seemingly needing the run.
The Berkshire gelding was a 22 length point winner prior to being sold for 82,000 euros to Ben Pauling, and he made a successful yard/hurdling debut when a well backed winner at Hereford this time last year.
He lost little in defeat behind some nice novices next time out, and then bumped into Sinnatra, who’s now rated 151 over fences. He jumped fluently throughout on chase debut, beating a subsequent winner off top-weight, and further improvement is expected now going back up in trip.
14:35 Cheltenham – Oddschecker Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (Registered as the Tom Olliver Handicap Chase) (GBB) (Class 1) (4yo+)
Colin Tizzard has won this twice since 2017 including with a seven year old on seasonal debut, and U CAN’T BE SERIOUS can add to that family success for Joe Tizzard.
The Notnowcato gelding was relatively lightly raced over hurdles last season, with one win from four starts, for all his form worked out well in defeat. He improved drastically to win on chase debut at Exeter, staying on strongly to fend off the dual subsequent winner Barlovento. The third has also won twice since, and he was 20 lengths clear of the fourth.
He backed that up when again gamely winning at Exeter, beating Donnacha who took a valuable handicap at Cheltenham in January. His form dipped two starts later, but he got back on track at Taunton in first time cheekpieces, finishing a length behind the subsequent Scottish Grand National winner Kap Vert who backed that run up on seasonal debut, now rated 12lbs higher.
He’s proven fresh, and while this step up in trip is an unknown, I think he’s sure to suit it as he’s always done his best work late on. From the family of a three time winner over the trip, as well as Nicky Henderson’s three time Grade 1 winner Finian’s Rainbow, he’s bred for the trip and to be much better than a mark of 130.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Three to Watch for Sunday 15 November
12:50 Cheltenham – mallardjewellers.com Maiden Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Island Getaway 150/1 0.5pt EW 4 places
13:25 Cheltenham – WKD Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4yo+) – Four Springs 4/1 1pt WIN
14:35 Cheltenham – Oddschecker Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (Class 1) (4yo+) – U Can’t Be Serious 12/1 1.5pt EW 3 places
FAQs
When was Matthew Sutcliffe’s article published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s article was published on Saturday 14 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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