Ante-post picks: three early tips for Cheltenham on Friday

Are you dreaming of a White Christmas?

We have not a widespread one here in Britain since back in 2010, although those who have an annual flutter on the possibility will know that just a single snowflake has to be observed falling by the Met Office during the 24 hours of December 25 to be paid out.

White Christmas backers were left out of pocket last year, although plenty will have collected in the previous four years, depending on which location was selected.

Thankfully, no snow is forecast for Cheltenham this week, when the home of Jump racing stages its two-day Christmas meeting.

I’m hoping that a horse who is well on the way to being white, Eldorado Allen, may prove to be one of the star turns. Here are three early fancies for Friday. 

Race: 1.50 Turners Handicap Chase. Best odds: 5-1. 

The Becher Chase at Aintree will have been a temptation for connections of the seven-year-old given his effectiveness over the Grand National fences, but they gave that race a swerve over the weekend to focus on a repeat win in this contest.

King Turgeon did have fortune on his side when collecting 12 months ago as the high-class Chianti Classico looked to have taken his measure when going lame in the closing stages.

Win, lose or draw, it was still a career-best effort by the grey, who jumped with typical athleticism and stuck to his task tenaciously. He will be a maximum of 3lb higher in the weights this time.

He also put up a bold show in the Somerset National on his next start before signing off the season with two dull efforts.

King Turegon was back on his A Game when making his return in the Grand Sefton at Aintree last month, looking a threat most of the way before backing out of things at the business end. We can attribute that to lack of a previous run and the trip being on the sharp side for him nowadays.

He should be spot on for his defence of this crown, back over further, and L’Homme Presse’s likely participation means he will have only 10st 2lb to shoulder. His regular rider, Jack Tudor, has ridden at that weight in the past year. 

Race: 2.25 Unibet Middle Distance Veterans' Chase Series Handicap Chase. Best odds: 4-1. 

Eldorado Allen provided one of the highlights of The November Meeting at Cheltenham last month when jumping and running his rivals into submission in a similar race to the one he will contest on Friday.

He was snapping a lengthy losing run and cementing his reputation for going well when fresh. I’d imagine some will be wary of him gaining back-to-back wins for the first time in five years, especially as he’s been pushed back up the ratings by 5lb, but there are plenty of positives.

For a start, he had the racefit Can You Call (third) and Fugitif (fifth) behind last month and is weighted to confirm his superiority, while switching to the more stamina-demanding New Course should also serve him better given he stays 3m plus. Moreover, this excellent jumper will also have one extra fence (17 as opposed to 16) to negotiate.

He does go well first time up but is not a horse who has recoiled next time, so I would not worry about that.

That leaves us with his new mark of 147 to consider. He was rated 166 at his peak, but clearly retains all his enthusiasm and is 3lb lower than when a close third in this race last year, when he rallied gamely on ground (good to soft) that probably did not show him to best advantage.

This time, he lines up clearly at the top of his game and underfoot conditions should be more in his favour. He should again take plenty of pegging back.  

Race: Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase. Best odds: 7-1. 

There’s a strong Irish and French entry among the 19 possibles for Friday’s cross-country contest, but how many will be put off by the prospect of fast ground?

Last month’s intended cross country race at Cheltenham was scrapped because conditions were unsuitable (watering is not possible) and, as I type on Monday morning, the going is good to firm. That may ease through the week, with more rain forecast, but anything softer than “good” seems unlikely.

Desertmore House, the ante-post favourite, has been a non-runner because of “good” ground in the past,   Iceo Madrik, the second favourite, has never raced on anything slower than good to soft. Mister Coffey is also prominent in the betting but he's been a non-runner four times because "good" ground has been deemed unsuitable.

Be careful, then, if you are considering an ante-post play as the race may cut up.

Latenightpass seems impervious to ground conditions and, barring a late mishap, looks guaranteed to line up with regular rider Gina Andrews in the saddle.

This combination are building an excellent record at the track, including a win in this race two years ago and a close third to Stumptown 12 months ago. In addition, they finished runner-up at The November Meeting in 2023, plus came second at The Festival in March. So, in summary, 120 obstacles negotiated and form figures of 2132.

Latenightpass still ran at The November Meeting, making little impact in the 3m 3f handicap chase. But he’s simply not the same force in conventional races, so we can put a line through that run. If nothing else, it will have given him a tune up.

One niggle is that he had a third wind operation before the start of the season and was equipped with a first-time tongue-tie last month. But until we have got solid proof that he’s not the force he once was over the cross country circuit, then I’m not inclined to desert him.

He's 2lb lower in the ratings than when having the misfortune to bump into Stumptown here in March. That’s clearly the best bit of form on offer, with the winner subsequently landing the Velka Pardubicka.