Five horses to follow at the International Meeting at Cheltenham

Conditions have not proved kind to Cheltenham’s Clerk of the Course Simon Claisse and his team for the opening two fixtures at Prestbury Park this season but things are looking somewhat fairer - for the meantime - before the two-day International Meeting.

The ground is currently good to soft, good in places but expect slower conditions on Friday with up to 13mm forecast before racing.

With further showers forecast on Saturday, we can't be absolutely sure how the ground might ride at this stage. The early feeling is, while conditions may not be as testing as the last two meetings, runners should expect a decent test before the climb up that famous hill at the finish.

We highlight five runners to note ahead of the big meeting.

Horse: CHANTRY HOUSE

Trainer: Nicky Henderson

Race: British EBF ‘national hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (12.10pm, Friday)

Odds: -

The five-year-old looks one of the most exciting prospects set to line up at Cheltenham’s two-day fixture.

Impressive on his rules debut at Warwick, the five behind him have all run with credit subsequently with three good enough to win races, including the exciting novice Edwardstone.

Jumping first-time out is not a concern for hurdling debutants from Seven Barrows and, while the promising Glory And Fortune sets a fair standard with some other promising newcomers, it would be disappointing if Chantry House didn’t make a good start over obstacles here with Festival prospects in mind.

Horse: SACCHOANDVANZETTI

Trainer: John Queally

Race: JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (12.10pm, Saturday)

Odds: --

Only four in the line-up have official ratings, but the assessor has this individual clear on 142 and his form has taken several boosts, notably his fifth on hurdles debut in a warm race at Listowel before two subsequent victories.

While a small sample, the trainer angle is notable here. John Queally has saddled seven runners over jumps in Britain, with three winning which means he has a 43 per cent strike-rate and an excellent actual / expected winners ratio (A/E) of 1.82.

Of the trainer’s losers in Britain, Uncle Danny was running a blinder at 25-1 at this track in January 2017 before being brought down three-out and Djingle would have been second at worst in a £50,000 race at Carlisle a few weeks ago but crashed out at the last.

Queally’s British raiders are currently being underestimated by the market.

Horse: SECRET INVESTOR

Trainer: Paul Nicholls

Race: Caspian Caviar Gold Cup (1.55pm, Saturday)

Odds: 8-1

This classy Grade Two winner steps into handicap company for the first time over fences and looks feasibly handicapped from a rating of 150.

The seven-year-old shaped better than the margin of defeat on his return at Down Royal in a race the stable has won five times in the past ten years, involved in an early pace battle and overwhelmed by a more patiently-ridden rival. Paul Nicholls’ horses were particularly needing the run at the time, too.

Nicholls has won this big Cheltenham handicap in five of the past ten years, with another three placed from a total of 20 individual runners. What’s also notable is the trainer’s record with those carrying 11-5 or more: three winners and three placed from 12 runners.

Horse: KILTEALY BRIGGS

Trainer: Jamie Snowden

Race: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (2.30pm, Saturday)

Odds: 13-2

The five-year-old takes a steep rise in class on his third start over hurdles, but it is the likely conditions here which make him interesting.

From the family of Ballabriggs, two and half miles at Wincanton on decent ground on hurdles debut was unlikely to be his bag but he was only just denied by a decent benchmark while looking green in the closing stages.

Impressive at Hexham last time when upped in trip and off a good pace, he is a neat and nimble jumper and further improvement looks likely over this three miles with the likelihood of a decent pace too given the potential inclusion of Igor, Mossy Fen and Victory Echo.

Still immature and green, how he carries himself to the line in the closing stages remains to be seen but he should be travelling in behind nicely for much of the way and he looks slightly underestimated at the early prices.

Horse: PENTLAND HILLS

Trainer: Nicky Henderson

Race: Unibet International Hurdle (3.05pm, Saturday)

Odds: 6-4

No prizes for originality here, but all eyes are on the Triumph hero and two-time Grade One winner who puts his unbeaten record over jumps on the line in the feature race on Saturday.

He can take a keen hold and arguably has something to prove on his first start in senior company, but Pentland Hills has a wealth of Flat experience and the record four-year-old’s have in this race certainly wouldn’t put you off.

From 73 runners in this race in the past 10 seasons, 19 per cent were juveniles, but four-year-olds were responsible for 20 per cent of the winners. A further 13 per cent were placed.

While there are plenty of classy sorts engaged, the overall competition suggests this is a favourable assignment first-time out given the grade and don’t be surprised at Champion Hurdle quotes shorter than the current 7-1 by the close of play.

Elixir De Nutz takes the eye at 7-1 and he would be interesting, but Joe Tizzard recently suggested a tilt at the Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot on December 21 is the preferred option.