Cheltenham is the main meeting to focus on on Saturday, with GG tipster Joe Napier’s four selections for an each-way Lucky 15 on the day all coming from Prestbury Park.
12.35 Cheltenham – SECRET FORCE (1pt e/w – 11/2 generally)
French imports Parchment and Precious Man could be useful recruits for David Pipe and Dan Skelton respectively, but SECRET FORCE looked a promising type on his debut at Punchestown last month for Gavin Cromwell. He failed to make an impression for Charlie Appleby or Kevin Philippart De Foy, but on switching to Cromwell in September the son of Frankel left his maiden and novice form behind to win a 13-runner handicap at Listowel on heavy going. That was off a mark of 70, which equates to a competitive enough standard over hurdles and he looked like he will be even better over jumps, scooting home by 6½ lengths to deny a number of rivals with previous experience. The third has gone in since and the selection could easily find another gear on softer ground too.
2.20 Cheltenham – IL RIDOTO (1pt e/w – 7/1 generally)
It is possible that IL RIDOTO won a stronger renewal of the Paddy Power Gold Cup 12 months ago, so back-to-back victories may well await Paul Nicholls’ charge. Still only an eight-year-old, he has proven very proficient over this course and distance on the New and Old courses, with two wins and four further places among his attempts here. He proved less competitive over track and trip later in the campaign, but his mark had skyrocketed after winning this and he still showed up well for a long way in the Plate won by Jagwar in March. He made a likeable enough comeback behind an improving rival at Chepstow off this mark of 142, which is only 1lb higher than the rating he defied to win a year ago and Paul Nicholls entrusts him alone with winning the yard a third straight Paddy Power Gold Cup.
2.55 Cheltenham – PATRIOTIK (1pt e/w – 25/1 Paddy Power)
In 11 starts over hurdles prior to May, PATRIOTIK had finished in the top three on eight occasions, proving a consistent type in handicaps between 2m4f-3m last season. He won in handicap company for the first time at Doncaster at the start of March, then finished a close third up 3lb in a 17-runner field at Uttoxeter on Midlands National day. He has lost his form the last twice, but it is possible that good ground is to blame for that, especially off career-high marks, while he may also have needed the run first time out for the season at the Showcase meeting here last month. Back down to a mark of 123, 1lb below his Uttoxeter third, he could easily bounce back to form given the rain in the forecast off just 10st 5lb.
3.30 Cheltenham – KAP BOY (1pt e/w – 8/1 generally)
A ready winner on his debut for Olly Murphy’s team, KAP BOY can maintain that momentum in this intermediate handicap. The likes of Royal Infantry, French Ship and Jurancon may all have their sights set at bigger targets later in the campaign, but all are conceding a stone or more to the selection, who may retain any amount of potential off a mark of just 118 here. The eight-year-old scored on his bumper debut on heavy at Chepstow in October 2023 when with Paul Nicholls, but did not maintain that form over hurdles last term. Given the Nicholls team’s struggles during parts of 2024/25, it is reasonable to expect he is comfortably better than that, and he went a long way to proving that point when a seven-length winner on his handicap and stable debut for Murphy at Perth in October. He is up 9lb in a much classier race, but he careered away for victory and the runner-up won comfortably himself at Ayr on Wednesday.
GG Racing Lucky 15 Tips For Saturday 15th November
12.35 Cheltenham – SECRET FORCE (1pt e/w – 11/2 generally)
2.20 Cheltenham – IL RIDOTO (1pt e/w – 7/1 generally)