Cheltenham Trials Day Preview: Key Races, Runners and Festival Clues
The next major stopping point on the road to the Cheltenham Festival takes place on Saturday, with Trials Day once again providing vital clues ahead of March.
- Cheltenham Trials Day Latest Prices (Available from 8pm on Friday with all prices guaranteed overnight)
Last year’s staging proved highly informative, with JP McManus-owned Jagwar following up his January success by landing the Plate Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Jagwar Returns in Premier Handicap Chase (1.15)
Jagwar, who finished third in the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham recently, lines up again on Saturday in the 1.15 – a 2m4½f Premier Handicap Chase. The race was won last year by Irish raider Moon d’Orange for John McConnell.
Jagwar holds several Festival options, featuring prominently in the betting for both the Plate, which he won last year, and the Ultima, while he also has an entry in the Ryanair Chase.
His main market rival on Saturday is Booster Bob, with champion jockey Sean Bowen once again booked by Olly Murphy.
Booster Bob arrives seeking a hat-trick following consecutive victories at Newbury, including success in the Greatwood Handicap Chase in November. This will be his Cheltenham debut, and he has risen a combined 15lb for those two wins.
Last year’s winner Moon d’Orange is also in the line-up and is just 1lb higher than twelve months ago, making him an intriguing contender should there be any late market support.
Triumph Trial (12.40): Minella Yoga Unbeaten
There are five Graded races on the eight-race card, beginning with the Triumph Hurdle Trial at 12.40.
After missing out on the winning ride aboard Jonbon in last weekend’s Clarence House Chase at Ascot due to an earlier fall, Harry Cobden now watches from the sidelines as Sam Twiston-Davies takes over on the unbeaten Minella Yoga.
Paul Nicholls has already confirmed that Twiston-Davies will receive more high-profile rides for the Ditcheat yard next season, following Cobden’s move into his new role with JP McManus. This presents an earlier-than-expected opportunity for Twiston-Davies to land a big Saturday winner.
Maestro Conti currently heads the market for the Skeltons, but the unbeaten French-bred gelding must concede 3lb to Minella Yoga.
Three of the last six winners of this contest were Irish-trained, with Hardy Stuff bidding to step up in grade after winning a Leopardstown maiden hurdle in late December for Gordon Elliott. Elliott trained the 2022 winner Pied Piper, who unfortunately fell in Thursday’s thrilling Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park.
Cotswold Chase (2.25): Grey Dawning the Banker?
It’s a big day for the Skeltons, with Grey Dawning viewed by many as a banker in the Cotswold Chase at 2.25 should he run, that is. Dan Skelton, who leads the Trainers Championship in Britain, has stated he will strongly consider pulling his charge out of the race if the ground goes heavy. The latest going update is for soft ground.
Grey Dawning bids to follow up his Grade One Betfair Chase victory at Haydock and faces just three rivals. Among them are last year’s winner L’Homme Presse, along with Irish raiders Spillane’s Tower and Flooring Porter.
Flooring Porter has not been seen since winning the Kerry National in September 2024. His trainer Gavin Cromwell arrives in excellent form, having lifted the Thyestes Chase trophy on Thursday with Now Is The Hour.
Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (1.50)
Cromwell is always respected in valuable handicap chases, particularly in Cross Country races.
The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase takes place at 1.50, with Final Orders among the market principals for the Meath trainer following his win here last month.
J’Arrive De L’Est finished second that day for Emmett Mullins and now enjoys a 6lb pull at the weights.
France has long been a hotbed for Cross Country talent, and David Cottin sends over Iceo Madrik and Placenet, who finished third and fourth behind the Irish pair last month.
International Hurdle (Champion Hurdle Trial) (3.00)
The highlight of Saturday’s card is the Champion Hurdle Trial, better known as the International Hurdle.
Twelve months ago, the race was won by Constitution Hill, who may be set for a flat run next month. Nicky Henderson looks well placed to retain the prize this time with the unbeaten Sir Gino.
A novice chasing campaign appears to have been paused, with Sir Gino an impressive winner of the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, extending his unbeaten run to seven starts.
The New Lion suffered his first defeat after falling in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in November and will aim to bounce back for the Skeltons.
Cleeve Hurdle (3.35): Stayers Take Centre Stage
The stayers will strut their stuff at 3.35 in the Cleeve Hurdle, with Impose Toi aiming to land a fourth consecutive three-mile victory for Nicky Henderson.
Strong Leader has finished second to him on the last two occasions and will once again try to reverse the placings.
Last season’s Pertemps Final winner Doddiethegreat further strengthens Henderson’s hand.
AIS Novices’ Hurdle (4.10)
The final graded race, and the closing contest of the day, is the AIS Novices’ Hurdle at 4.10.
Should Minella Yoga win earlier, it would provide a major form boost for Act Of Innocence, who finished second to him at Newbury on his most recent start.
It has been a wonderful few months for Harry Redknapp, Ben Jones and Ben Pauling, with the King George-winning trio teaming up again with the unbeaten five-year-old Taurus Bay.
John McConnell and Gordon Elliott are also represented by Heads Up, last season’s Champion Bumper runner-up, and Open Secret, who won a BAR 1 Betting-sponsored maiden hurdle at Naas last season. Notably, there has been no Irish winner in the last 20 runnings of this race.
Cheltenham Trials Day & BAR 1 Betting Offers
With the Dublin Racing Festival following hot on the heels of Cheltenham Trials Day next weekend, this is a hugely exciting period of the National Hunt season.
BAR 1 Betting now offers guaranteed prices overnight on all UK and Irish racing, available on both single and multiple bets, in shops and online.
New online customers can enjoy €50 worth of free bets on the sportsbook, plus 20 free spins on the BAR 1 Casino, when staking €10 or more on a first online bet at odds of evens or greater.
Be the first to comment on "Cheltenham Trials Day Preview: Key Races, Runners and Festival Clues"