Chitu in running for Cheltenham trip after Towcester success
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Irish raider Chitu may well have booked his ticket to Cheltenham's October meeting with a decisive victory in the starsportsbet.co.uk Novices' Chase at Towcester.
Not disgraced behind the classy pair of Ballyandy and Fagan at Perth last time out, there was nothing of that calibre taking him on this time.
Making all under Adam Short, he saw off Dan Skelton's four-year-old Gibson Park, the odds-on favourite, with the minimum of fuss.
James Griffin, assistant trainer to his father, Paddy, said: "The plan was to run at Perth and then go to Cheltenham, but I always had an eye on this race in case it cut up and it did.
"He's got two options now at Cheltenham, a two-mile novice which I believe would mean taking on Sceau Royal of Alan King's, or the handicap.
"It was nice to take this in on the way, but my only reservation is I'm not sure he's the type of horse who could stand three races in a month so we'll have to see how he is.
"If he doesn't run we'll put him away until the spring and bring him back for Musselburgh's Cheltenham trials meeting with a view to going to Aintree and, because he's got Scottish owners, Ayr.
"He did it really well and will be much better with a lead, we thought one of the outsiders might make the running but Adam gave him a great ride.
"I don't fancy running him under a triple penalty, but the bonus is the handicapper won't touch him for today."
Related posts
Five horses to follow on Saturday from our experts
Dave Nevison's Saturday tips: 22-1 chance fancied at Haydock
Martin Dixon's Saturday tips: "He has a flawless course record"
Under The Radar: Pat Murphy's three horses to follow
Sunday tips from Katie Midwinter: "She is the one to beat"
Featured offers
Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets with Betano
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 get £40 in free bets with Kwiff
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets + Money back 2nd to SP fav with BOYLE Sports
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 & Get £30 in free bets with bet365
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets in Multis with Betfair
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Copyright 2026 Racing TV - All Rights Reserved.
Please bet responsibly
Copyright 2026. All rights reserved