Cheltenham's December meeting is now upon us and is scarcely seems possible we're here already. This will be run on the New Course, which is slightly more stamina sapping and the Friday card is showing off some really top quality animals. Perhaps not a punting card all the way through but there are 2 races that an angle can be found in.
13:15, Catesby Estates Handicap Hurdle
Wreckless Eric 11/2 each-way (4 places)
Balboa 50/1 each-way (4 places)
There are questions to be answered here. Was Valgrand's performance here in October a bolt in the blue and is he up to shouldering 12 stone in this competitive handicap? Is Willmount ready to go after a year off since pulling up in the Challow Hurdle last December? Is To Chase A Dream's form at Carlisle good enough? This is a real cracker of a race. It looks set to be run at a searching tempo with Valgrand dropping down in distance and I'm sure Harry Skelton will want to make the most of him. Weight stops trains though and this is a big task and with Willmount having a few too many questions to answer and To Chase A Dream moving away from Carlisle I'll take a chance on Wreckless Eric. Jonjo O'Neill's progressive young 4 year old hasn't done much wrong in his life so far, bar falling when in contention at Wincanton on seasonal debut. He came from a long way back to win over the Old Course last month and although he's 8 pounds higher here, this stiffer track and big field should play to his strengths. It's likely he still has room to manoeuvre from his mark. It bigger prices I'll take a chance on Balboa at 50/1. He is off the same mark as when 2nd in a big field at Chepstow in October and ran OK in a conditions race last time. He will be more at home back in a handicap and at looks a bet at 10/1 for a place.
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13:50, Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Coming Soon Handicap Chase
Java Point 7/1 each-way (3 places)
Is Chianti Classico a Gold Cup horse? Well if he wins this from a mark of 157 then he will certainly have to be talked about as one. Now it's probably likely that he will take this on his way to better things as there's only 7 to beat but it's a mammoth task he faces and 6/4 is a bit tight for my liking. Instead I'll have an each-way poke on Java Point. Henry Oliver's horses are running well and his 9 year old here will be racing off just 10 stone 2 pounds. He'll be getting 26 pounds from the favourite and loves it round this park of Gloucestershire.
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