Cheltenham Christmas Meeting: five eye-catchers and a 100-1 ante-post tip

Race: Second in the Citipost Handicap Hurdle (3.35, Friday).

HA: It is a slight surprise this consistent performer hasn't recorded a victory this season following a string of brilliant efforts in defeat under regular rider, William Maggs.

Held up in last here, he was again given a patient ride before creeping into contention turning for home as the pace quickened. 

The seven-year-old was forced to switch in the straight, too, and despite showing a willing attitude, he couldn't quite catch Titan Discovery who has some strong handicap form next to his name, including when landing a valuable handicap at Windsor last season. 

Interestingly, the RaceiQ data shows Lihyan clocked the highest FSP (Finishing Speed Percentage), although a figure of 112.37% suggests this race was not run to suit. He also achieved the highest Jump Index score (8.9/10), and was probably a shade unlucky not to score given he was at a disadvantage being held up.

He was also not seen to best effect on his two outings prior to this, and is a handicap hurdler to keep on side, despite the fact he will be penalised for this effort, as it's surely only a matter of time before this sound jumper lands a similar contest.

Race: Second in the Turners Premier Handicap Chase (1.50, Friday).

AS: It may seem odd to flag up a ten-year-old as 'one to follow' but L'Homme Presse ran a belter to finish second on his first start for 300 days on Friday and it looks as if he has plenty of racing left in him yet. 

Fourth in the 2024 Gold Cup, third in last season's King George and the winner of the Cotswold Chase back in January, there is a real argument to say he is one of the most underrated staying chasers in training, with eight wins from 15 starts over the bigger obstacles and over half a million in prize money.

He was pulled-up on his final start of last season in the Ascot Chase but this was far more encouraging, although not without worry for punters who had backed him.

Settled prominently early on, he dropped back to last down the back with half a circuit to go and was last of those still going when jumping three out, but he seemed to find a second wind running up the straight in the closing stages and saw out his race very well giving lumps of weight away to the field.

He is a generous 100-1 in places for the Grand National, a race which his trainer said he would "definitely" be entered for when speaking to Lydia Hislop on Saturday.

He may be high enough in the weights, but recent renewals of the race have favoured those near the top of the handicap and the first three home last year, though all trained by Willie Mullins, were also all rated in the 160s.

Race: Second in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (12.10, Saturday).

HA:This youngster gave Harry Cobden a torrid time in the early stages of the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle on Saturday and, rather surprisingly, he was still racing keenly before the turn for home.

It is therefore worth upgrading this performance considerably, and it was to his credit he managed to stay on into second following his early exuberance. 

It didn't make a difference to the result, but he was also forced to switch wide in the straight, and was not given the hardest time under pressure to chase home the impressive winner. 

Despite failing to record a victory, Faye Bramley's charge performed to a decent level on the flat when trained by Jessica Harrington, and ran a promising race on his hurdling debut at Fontwell in October. He put that experience to good use here, and is certainly the contender to take out of this race, although does still have plenty to learn, on this evidence. 

It will be interesting to see what mark he is given later in the season, and connections may have an eye on a valuable prize already. He's one to add to your Racing TV Tracker, with bundles of improvement surely on the horizon over obstacles.

Race: Third in the Quintessentially Mares' Handicap Chase (1.15, Saturday).

AS: Warren Greatrex has his string in good form at present, so it was no surprise to see Realta Liath go close in the Mares' Handicap Chase over an extended two and a half miles.

However, plenty went wrong for her and yet she still managed a close third behind the winner Party Vibes, who already had significantly more chasing experience.

On what was her second start over fences under Rules, having won comfortably at Fontwell last month, Realta Liath made progress from mid-division to challenge coming towards the second-last fence but made a crucial error, and she did well to regain her momentum and take up a narrow lead after the final fence.

She was then carried left quite significantly in the closing stages by the runner-up Theonewedreamof, going down by a head to that rival and three quarters of a length behind the winner as they passed the winning post.

A winning pointer, she can make a better chaser than a hurdler, and this trip and good to soft ground look about perfect for her. She is one to keep an eye on next time out.

Race: Second in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (3.00, Saturday).

AS: A 23-length winner of his final point-to-point, They Call Me Hugo won at the first attempt over hurdles for Olly Murphy and was then sent off a 6-1 chance on Saturday to make it two from two when upped in trip and class to contest this Garde Two over three miles.

It looked for a long way like that would be a tall order. Hot favourite Conman John made the running under a penalty for his win on the old course at The Showcase Meeting and They Call Me Hugo was settled in last position in a steadily-run race.

He was still only fifth jumping the final flight, but Sean Bowen's mount ran on gamely to finish second, beaten only a short-head by Dan Skelton's Carlenrig at the line. 

They Call Me Hugo recorded the highest finishing speed percentage of the race (114.07%) and it will be interesting to see how he gets on next time in a more strongly run race.

He has a lovely way of going and stays well, so the 25-1 with William Hill for the Grade One Albert Bartlett in March seems a very fair price with this course experience under his belt.