Racing comes again to Cheltenham on Saturday 13 December, as the December Gold Cup headlines a top class card. There are seven races in all to enjoy, with Graded contests supporting the big handicap highlight.
GG tipster Joe Napier has picked out his best bets throughout the day, including one against the favourite in the December Gold Cup itself.
Cheltenham Racing Tips (Saturday 13 December)
12.10 Cheltenham – Macshadow Des Crai (1pt e/w – 8/1)
The unbeaten pair of Minella Study and One Horse Town are respected, but one piece of Macshadow Des Crai’s form from his days in France now looks especially interesting. He has joined Nicky Henderson since, which has to be seen as a positive, with his notable run coming when fourth in a 1m4f bumper at Vichy back in May, when only two lengths behind Macktoad. That horse has since won very impressively on debut for the Moores at Sandown, so it is likely that is form worth following for any who transfer to these shores. He was fourth on his hurdling debut at Dieppe on his final start for Mickaël Seror when reportedly jumping poorly, but if that is ironed out at Seven Barrows, he could have a bright future in juvenile events this season, with it intriguing he is immediately pitched in at this level.
1.50 Cheltenham – Hoe Joly Smoke (1pt win – 5/1)
Second and third behind Panic Attack in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on the Old Course, Vincenzo and Hoe Joly Smoke return to go slightly better in the December version, with preference for the latter to reverse the form on 2lb better terms. This race being run on the New Course, which places a greater premium on stamina, should prove a positive for a horse who has won over 3m, and was third over 3m1f behind another horse filling the frame in the Coral Gold Cup earlier this season at Cheltenham, while Hoe Joly Smoke was making late inroads in the Paddy Power only to make a mistake two from home (usually the third last). That put him on the back foot and he could not recover, but he takes over as Dan Skelton’s number one for this race and the yard are doing very well at targeting the biggest financial prizes this term.
2.25 Cheltenham – Excelero (1pt win – 9/2)
The five-year-old Excelero ended up playing the rabbit for two staying types on his chase debut over 2m4f at Worcester at the end of October, but Jane Williams’ charge is otherwise on the up. Quick ground may not have ideally suited on his first chase start either, but down 1lb, he readily made amends at Warwick, once again taking charge from the outset under a keen hold, but having far too much for his two rivals. Although it was only a three-runner race, it looks a decent piece of form, especially as he won by nearly ten lengths, so while he is up 7lb, a similar front-running, smooth-jumping performance could well see him home in front again even in this much stronger race.
3.00 Cheltenham – Big Cadillac (0.5pt e/w – 20/1)
Conman John’s winning form here in October has taken a knock or two and he looks worth taking on at short prices. A chance is taken at lengthier odds on Big Cadillac, who was only sixth of ten on his hurdling bow in October, but who could have loads more to offer over 3m and who possessed enough talent to win a bumper on his debut for Dan Skelton. He had won a point-to-point in February 2024, a full 345 days before he made his rules bow in the Chepstow bumper he claimed this January. The runner-up has won on his first two hurdles starts, with his debut form looking particularly strong, so there is every chance Big Cadillac will come good at some point, with this step up in trip so early a move that could pay dividends.
Cheltenham December Meeting Day 2 Tips – Saturday 13 December
12.10 Cheltenham – Macshadow Des Crai (1pt e/w – 8/1)
1.50 Cheltenham – Hoe Joly Smoke (1pt win – 5/1)
2.25 Cheltenham – Excelero (1pt win – 9/2)
3.00 Cheltenham – Big Cadillac (0.5pt e/w – 20/1)
Macshadow Des Crai
Hoe Joly Smoke
Big CadillacCheltenham December Meeting Day 2 Tips – Saturday 13 December
Cheltenham Meeting Start Time
- Cheltenham – first race 12:10
What is on the Cheltenham December Meeting Day 2 racecard?
Here’s the full Cheltenham schedule for Cheltenham December Meeting Day 2:
- 12:10 – JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle
- 12:40 – Michael Eakins Senior Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
- 13:15 – Quintessentially Mares’ Handicap Chase
- 13:50 – Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup Handicap Chase
- 14:25 – Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap Chase
- 15:00 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
- 15:35 – Download The BetMGM App Mares’ Handicap Hurdle
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
What are Saturday’s Cheltenham December Meeting Day 2 tips?
Joe Napier provides four bets for day 2 of Cheltenham’s December Meeting on Saturday 13 December.
When were the Cheltenham December Meeting Day 2 tips published?
The Cheltenham December Meeting Day 2 tips were published at 10.35am on Friday 12 December.
Who is Joe Napier?
Joe Napier is the deputy editor of GG who gives tips and opinion throughout the week. He has been writing for GG for over four years and is hugely passionate about racing.
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