Horse racing tips: Cheltenham, Doncaster, Hereford, Newcastle, Wolverhampton – Steve Mullen’s betting preview for Saturday, December 16
Steve Mullen's gives you his tips for Saturday's meetings at Cheltenham, Doncaster, Hereford, Newcastle and Wolverhampton.
STAR can shine in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham (1.55).
STARCHITECT ran a belter in the BetVictor here four weeks ago and would have won with a slightly better jump at the second-last fence. Of course, jumping is the name of the game so there are no excuses for that defeat.
He faces winner Splash Of Ginge again here and he can reverse the form thanks to a small pull at the weights along with my faith in him jumping that little bit better today.
David Pipe’s chaser is still on the upgrade at the age of six and the handicapper hasn’t caught up with him yet.
As you would expect with a big pot at stake, there are plenty of dangers about. Clan Des Obeaux probably deserves to head the betting after a convincing win at Haydock last time out. He jumped well there and beat a useful yardstick in Vintage Clouds.
This will be a fair bit tougher than that but he’s a graded performer so should be able to handle it.
His trainer Paul Nicholls is throwing a few darts at this though so maybe confidence in Clan isn’t that high. Le Prezien is another who went well in the BetVictor and must be on the shortlist.
He just seemed to hit a flat spot last time and he may have needed the run fitness-wise. He ran on strongly in the closing stages and Barry Geraghty knows he has a stayer under him now so may stick closer to the pace.
Of the big prices, Guitar Pete should be forgiven his poor run in the BetVictor because he was almost knocked over at the first fence. He never got going after that and is better judged on his win at Wetherby in November. He had seven lengths in hand there and could easily place at double-figure odds.
While The New One will always make the Wizard misty eyed thanks to past exploits, he may have to settle for second best behind MELON in Cheltenham’s 3.05.
Cheltenham 2.30 - Count Meribel: 'This strong galloper can make it four in a row despite the rise in class'
Cheltenham 3.05 - Melon: 'Superb effort on only effort around Cheltenham in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and this is a step down in class from that'
CHELTENHAM
12.10 Apples Shakira
12.45 Jameson
1.20 Theo
1.55 Starchitect
2.30 Count Meribel
3.05 Melon
3.40 Brillare Momento
DONCASTER
12.00 One For Billy
12.30 Clondaw Castle
1.05 Poker School
1.40 Flying Tiger
2.10 Braqueur D'Or
2.45 Act Of Valour
3.20 What Happens Now
HEREFORD
12.20 Paddy The Oscar
12.55 Vision Des Flos
1.30 Shanty Town
2.05 Ozzie The Oscar
2.40 Court Minstrel
3.15 Cougar Kid
3.45 Topofthecotswolds
NEWCASTLE
12.40 British Art
1.15 Mountain Bell
1.50 Star Story
2.25 Esspeegee
3.00 Manomine
3.35 Trevithick
4.05 Reckless Endeavour
4.35 Dream Revival
WOLVERHAMPTON
5.45 Straffan
6.15 Firesnake
6.45 Pulsating
7.15 Tropics
7.45 Raashdy
8.15 Rainbow Rebel
8.45 Twin Appeal
9.15 Beyond Recall