Day three of Cheltenham’s November Meeting will serve up more quality National Hunt action, with the feature race of the day the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle taking place at 3.30pm. Our GG Lucky 15 tips for Sunday 16th November focuses on the racing at Prestbury Park, as we pick out our four best bets for the day…
1.45 Cheltenham – JIG’S FORGE (1pt win – 7/2 bet365)
Ben Pauling’s JIG’S FORGE struggled to get his head in front over hurdles, but did run a fine race when sixth in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Sent off at 125/1 that day, he showed he relished the undulations of the Gloucestershire track, but it’s over fences that he can show his best form. He drops back to two-and-a-half miles for his chase debut, but with the rain in recent days sure to have softened the ground then you will need to have stamina to see it out up the hill. Ben Jones can often find an excellent rhythm from chasers near the front end, so if he can get this contender jumping well from an early stage then a mark of 132 looks more than attractive.
2.20 Cheltenham – DR T J ECKLEBURG (1pt win – 9/1 generally)
A soft ground winner at Chepstow back in February, Dr J T ECKLEBURG is one of the contenders in the 2.20pm contest that will relish the rain-softened conditions and can strike gold in another competitive contest. The likes of Triple Trade and Glengouly have to be leading players, but it’s the Evan Williams-trained seven-year-old that can shine brightest. He’s only 3lbs higher than that Chepstow win, so a mark of 128 certainly looks workable, if he can produce his best. Sixth of nine at the October meeting at Cheltenham, he’s been dropped 1lb and that season opener is sure to bring him leaps and bounds for this event.
2.55 Cheltenham – MARBLE SANDS (1pt win – 6/1 generally)
There’s no doubting Protektorat is the best horse in this the 2.55pm by a mile at his best, but lugging 12st over three-and-a-half miles is sure to test Dan Skelton’s Graded winner, so he’s worth taking on. David Killahena and Graeme McPherson’s MARBLE SANDS will be in receipt of a over stone from Protektorat and that could be telling in the closing stages. Second at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day over two-and-a-half miles, he’s now 2lbs lower in the weights, so is of notable interest. Last seen having a spin on the flat, he will relish the return to the chasing game, and provided his stamina holds out then he can land this prize with aplomb.
3.30 Cheltenham – MIRABAD (1pt win – 6/1 generally)
Dan Skelton’s MIRABAD was last seen finishing down the field in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury in February, but he’s not been seen on the track since. Impressive when cruising to a five-and-a-half length victory in a competitive meeting at Cheltenham back in December, he’s now 9lbs higher than that mark, but a figure of 129 could still be a little low. He’s had wind surgery since that Newbury loss and it’s likely that this has been the target for several months by the Skelton team. This year’s Greatwood at 3.30pm certainly lacks a star performer, but Mirabad could be one of the most attractively handicapped horses in training and he can land this race in style.
GG Racing Lucky 15 Tips For Sunday 16th November
1.45 Cheltenham – JIG’S FORGE (1pt win – 7/2 bet365)