ITV's coverage of the second day of the November Meeting from Cheltenham kicks off on ITV1 from 13:30 on Saturday, 15th November. You can find our best ITV racing tips for Cheltenham and Wetherby here.
From form analysis to betting value, scroll for today’s top selections, a Friday ITV Racing accumulator, and the best bookmaker offers.
Our acca for Saturday ITV coverage includes two selections from the racing at Wetherby, and one from Cheltenham. Back this 3-leg ITV accumulator for Saturday:
The ITV coverage on Saturday kicks off with the Grade Two Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase. Stencil and Burdett Road are interesting contenders on their first starts over the bigger obstacles.
However, it was hard not to be impressed by July Flower’s win over fences at Limerick last month. The six-year-old for Henry De Bromhead jumped excellently on chase debut, and was taking lengths out of the field every time she left the ground, eventually winning by an eleven-length margin.
Her talent has always been there over obstacles, winning a listed race over hurdles in Ireland last December while also finishing second in Grade One company during her time in France.
She could be a good winner of this race on Saturday.
The big race of the day on Saturday comes in the form of the Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase, due off at 14:20.
Jagwar could be a runner with Grade One intentions, but winning this race off top weight on seasonal return is a big ask. The stats indicate that horses aged six or seven (65%) and those with winning chasing experience (61%) have excelled.
Meanwhile, 70% of the winners have carried 11st or less. Hoe Joly Smoke is a fascinating runner for the Dan Skelton yard. The seven-year-old was a fine third on his return to action over three miles and one at Cheltenham last month, finishing tired after travelling like a dream.
This drop back down in trip could unlock something new. The selection is a two-time winner over fences, and he deserves huge respect for a yard striking at 25%.
A competitive handicap hurdle over three miles is set for 14:55. Gowel Road will likely give a good account from the front once again, while Long Draw holds obvious claims after securing his spot in the Pertemps Final in March.
However, the unexposed Kikijo could provide an interesting alternative for the Philip Hobbs & Johnson White yard. The five-year-old was an eye-catching fourth at Aintree on his seasonal reappearance, staying on strongly to finish within three lengths of Ernest Gray.
Kikijo has won once from four starts over hurdles, and was a good winner over two miles and four over fences on soft ground in February.
Retains plenty of ability over the smaller obstacles based on his return run, and could be weighted to make his presence felt off this mark.
Patrick Mullins is a fascinating jockey booking for Harry Derham in the Introductory Hurdle at Wetherby on Saturday.
The five-year-old opened his account over obstacles stylishly at Newcastle in October, beating Marhaba The Champ by a widening 14-length margin.
Comes into the weekend in red-hot form after winning on his last four starts, including three on the flat in Jersey.
His debut success over obstacles last time out indicates that there could still be further improvement to come, and the yard is in excellent recent form, striking at 33%.
Last year’s winner of the Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle looks set to go close once again this weekend.
Hamsiyann is rated 10lb higher than he was 12 months ago, but the five-year-old still looked to be improving as the season ended, including when a respectable 12th in a hot handicap at Punchestown.
There are no fitness concerns this weekend after running on the flat last time out, and the manner of his victory last year indicates that Cheltenham could bring out the best in him.
This has likely been the long-term target, and he will have each-way claims with Daniel King back aboard.
ITV’s second race from Wetherby on Saturday is a handicap chase over an extended two miles and three.
Parisencore represents the red-hot Nicky Richards yard. The nine-year-old is a one-time winner over fences, and first-time out is typically the time to catch him.
He stays this trip well, evident after finishing a good second behind Imperial Saint at Aintree last October. The selection is on a good mark, and he should get his preferred ground conditions this weekend.
ITV's coverage of the second day of the November Meeting from Cheltenham kicks off on ITV1 from 13:30 on Saturday, 15th November. You can find our best ITV racing tips for Cheltenh...
