This Saturday we are spoiled with top quality racing from Prestbury Park, we have no fewer than five Grade 2 events on a seven race card. We will look at the two Novice Hurdles in today’s article, the first being the 12.40 JCB Triumph Trail Juvenile Hurdle which is over 2m 1f.
Heading the entries is East India Dock trained by James Owen, this 4yo gelding was a two race winner on the flat for James Fanshawe who has taken to hurdles extremely well winning his two starts over the obstacles. He made his debut in a novice hurdle at Wincanton winning by four lengths before taking the step up in stride taking another Triumph Hurdle trail here in November. The gelding settled much better than he did on debut and having travelled strongly throughout he went on to win by 18 lengths going further clear up the Cheltenham hill. In doing so he rocketed up to be second fav for the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle in March.
Another notable entry comes from the Paul Nicholls yard where he is represented by Sauvignon. This 4yo gelding is a French recruit who’s won two of his three starts over hurdles, the first being his debut at Lyon Parilly where he started 5/2 fav before coming 2nd in his second race at Auteuil in May. He went back there a month later and won a £38k Listed Hurdle by a length and a half before being sold to Britain. Currently around the 33/1 mark for the race in March if he makes a winning British debut he will plummet in price.
Another potential runner is Stencil trained by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm for JP McManus, this 4yo gelding won his first two starts at Compiegne before getting beat at odds on in a Grade 3 Hurdle at the same track, he will experience much better ground over here but will need to bounce back from that disappointing effort.
Betting for this race (Ante-Post rules apply):
Independent Gambling Sites: East India Dock 1/1, Sauvignon 4/1, Stencil 6/1, Quantock Hills 9/1 and 10/1 bar.
Credit Card Betting Sites: East India Dock 19/20, Sauvignon 4/1, Stencil 6/1, Quantock Hills 9/1 and 10/1 bar.
The next is the 4.10pm which is the AIS Novice Hurdle which is a Grade 2 event run over 2m 4f. Leading the entries is the Nigel Twiston-Davies 6yo Potters Charm, this gelding has won all five of his races last year taking the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle Trial here in November before taking the William Hill Formby Grade 1 at Aintree on Boxing Day. This exciting prospect will look to give owner El Rincon a great day out en route to the festival in March.
Bill Joyce trained by Jonjo O’Neill is entered in this and also a race at Doncaster on Saturday depending on the ground, this 6yo gelding hasn’t ran at Cheltenham since running down the field in the Champion Bumper last season. He won his debut over hurdles at Carlisle before taking a Grade 2 at Sandown by 5 lengths, his last run was in the Coral Challow at Newbury where he finished 3rd. The winner was The New Lion who is well above average and Jonjo will feel his gelding needs to take this race if he’s to challenge the latter in the Turners Novice Hurdle in March.
Quebecois is also entered for this race but he will need to be ridden differently to make up the 5 lengths he got beat by Bill Joyce at Sandown albeit now getting 5lb off his rival.
Betting for this race (Ante-Post rules apply):
Non UK Casinos: Potters Charm 11/10, Bill Joyce 100/30, Quebecois 5/1, Western Knight 8/1 and its 10/1 bar.
No Verification Betting Sites: Potters Charm 21/10, Bill Joyce 3/1, Quebecois 5/1, Western Knight 8/1 and its 10/1 bar.
We wish you the best of luck with your predictions please remember to gamble responsibly.
