Saturday ante-post tips: Cheltenham best bets

What will the ground be like at Cheltenham on Saturday? The going was described as good, good to soft on Tuesday following 5mm of rain overnight, and while conditions are likely to remain the same ahead of The November Meeting, there is a deluge of rain (20mm+) expected on Friday.

Unless the forecast is completely incorrect, it is certain conditions will have eased by Saturday, and that's worth bearing in mind if you're looking to place an ante-post wager this week. 

Some guesswork is also required as to which horses will be declared, with numerous contenders holding multiple entries at Cheltenham this week, adding a further curveball for punters.

16 contenders were confirmed for the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Monday, and Jagwar remains the ante-post favourite at a best-priced 9-2. I advised backing IL RIDOTO ante-post at 8-1 earlier this month for Saturday's showpiece and, after looking at the race again this week, I still think he's the one to side with at the 11-2 available.

Ideally, he probably would want the ground to remain as it is, but he landed a valuable handicap on soft ground at Cheltenham in 2023 plus was only narrowly denied in the December Gold Cup later that year when the mud was flying, so I don't think give underfoot will hinder him too much.

Last year's winner attracted significant support last weekend, which was probably due to Paul Nicholls' bullish comments in the Racing Post, and he looks primed to produce another big effort off a pound higher mark this year. His seasonal return at Chepstow in October also received a boost thanks to Saint Segal finishing second in the BetMGM Haldon Gold Cup, and it sounds like Harry Cobden is set to ride.

Dan Skelton revealed on racingtv.com this week that the plan is to run ROYAL INFANTRY in the Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle on Saturday, and his charge appears to hold strong claims following a pipe-opener at Chepstow in October.

Skelton said the six-year-old "took a blow that day" and "he will improve a great deal" for that outing, while it was encouraging to see him stay on again towards to finish over 2m3½f. Interestingly, Doyen Quest contested that race last year en route to an easy victory at The November Meeting.

A 2lb rise for that effort seems fair, and a rating of 138 could still underestimate Royal Infantry given he's always been billed as a "high-class horse" by connections, who opted to contest the Champion Bumper with him in 2024.

He probably hasn't quite scaled the heights expected over hurdles yet, but was a live outsider for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle after bolting up at Haydock last year, and was given a wind op after suffering a shock defeat in the Sky Bet Supreme Trial the following month.

A line can be put through his below-par effort in Grade One company following an absence next time out, and he's better judged on his effort in a strong Listed contest at Perth where he travelled powerfully into contention when chasing home Kiss Will, who looks a Graded performer.

The third, Horaces Pearl, was only beaten nine lengths in a Grade One on his previous outing, and it looked a deep race on paper plus further hints the selection remains nicely handicapped. 

He's won on soft and heavy ground, so should have no issue handling conditions, and stepping back up in trip is another positive. With the Skelton team operating at a 30 per cent strike-rate, a big run can be expected.

2.20 Cheltenham: IL RIDOTO at a best-priced 11-2 with William Hill and 888Sport.

3.30 Cheltenham: ROYAL INFANTRY at a best-priced 5-1 with bet365.