Horse Racing Tips: Barry Geraghty’s best bets from Cheltenham

William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty previews Saturday’s card from Cheltenham’s November Meeting as well as the pick of the racing from Navan.

Cheltenham, Saturday

A horse I like in the opening contest on Saturday (12:35pm) is OUR SOLDIER. He has some good form in Ireland and was second in the Cork National on his last start over three-and-a-half miles. Prior to that he finished behind two smart rivals in Antrim Coast and Kainsbourg at Fairyhouse, so he’s been keeping good company. He has good form on good ground, so conditions will be in his favour. His trainer Denis Hogan is a shrewd operator, and Our Soldier looks a progressive type coming into this. David Doyle is a good rider to have aboard.

The Grade 2 Triumph Trial (1:10pm) looks a quality contest. ATOMIC CITY made a good impression when winning at Cork recently. He’s a keen going horse, but Mark Walsh gave him a brilliant, patient ride at Cork. He got him to relax, before creeping into contention and delivering a late challenge to win. He was a highly rated horse on the Flat. He beat Abbotsford in a Cork maiden in May, and that horse went on to win a valuable handicap last month, and after that he was thought good enough to contest a handicap at Royal Ascot. I think he should have learned a lot from his win at Cork and he’s a horse that brings plenty of potential into this.

Hopefully we’ll have the first big clash of the season in the Arkle Trial Novices’ Chase (1:45pm) with both Kabral Du Mathan and OLD PARK STAR taking their chance. However, it looks likely that Kabral Du Mathan might not line up due to the ground. He was so impressive on chase debut at Perth. He has strong form from his hurdle days and really seemed to take well to fences. Old Park Star was a good winner of the Supreme and looks like a horse that is going to improve again for the switch to fences. Old Park Star looks so progressive, and you look at the horses that Nicky [Henderson] has trained to win the Supreme and then made into top-class two-mile chasers, the likes of Altior. Sprinter Sacre was beaten in a Supreme, but this horse won that race, so he has potential to be the real deal. He might be a more proven two-miler than Kabral Du Mathan, who largely ran over further last season. I think Old Park Star’s pace might just make the difference.

The Paddy Power Gold Cup (2:20pm) is always a great race. It’s hard to get away from MEETMEBYTHESEA, who has been really progressive for Ben Pauling, winning six of his eight starts to date. He was a really good winner of the Jack Richards Novices’ Chase at the Festival and he won like a horse that was only just getting the hang of what he was doing, but he still has potential. He has a great record when fresh too, and it’s hard to see past him. JP McManus has been trying to win this race for a long time, and I think Meetmebythesea could be the one. He’s a worthy favourite, but for those that like a little bit more value, I thought Paul Nolan’s RELEASE THE BEAST was of interest. He ran a big race to finish fourth in the Grand Annual at the Festival, when only four lengths behind Martator. He should appreciate this step up in trip and Paul Nolan’s horses are flying at the moment, so he could be the each-way play.

There’s forgiveness needed for a few at the head of the market for the three-mile handicap hurdle (2:55pm). I thought GOLD FOR ALEC ran well at the William Hill Showcase Meeting, when a good second to a smart rival in Seaniecon. He fell when getting competitive at Chepstow prior to that, so he’s a horse in good form. I’d say he has the strongest recent form, and I’d side with him in a tricky race.

DAYLATEDOLLARSHORT might be the way to go in the two-mile-five-furlong handicap hurdle (3:30pm). He was a good winner of the Silver Trophy at Chepstow last month, when staying on strongly at the finish. I’d say this step up in trip should bring out the best in him. He’s still only a five-year-old and I think he could continue his progression here.

In the Listed mares’ bumper (4:00pm), I thought it might be a bit of a toss up between the two at the top of the market. Henry’s [de Bromhead] filly ELEGANTEMENTE was an impressive winner in Ballinrobe on her debut. She looked very green that day and I can see her improving a lot for that run. Henry wouldn’t bring her over if he didn’t think she had a good chance, and he does brilliantly with fillies like her.

Navan, Saturday

There’s some quality action at Navan as well on Saturday, with the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle (2:07pm). Home By The Lee has won this race twice in the past, but at his age, he might just be in need of his first run of the season. He certainly improved a lot for his first run last season. I’d probably side with SLADE STEEL instead, who was very impressive when last seen in Fairyhouse at Easter. That was a really strong Grade 2, and he had The Yellow Clay, who reopposes here, a long way behind him on that occasion. He also has a good record when fresh, so there’s plenty to like.

In the Grade 2 Fortria Chase (2:43pm), I like SOLNESS. These good ground conditions suit him perfectly and he will be fit for this having run on the Flat back in September. His close second to Grey Dawning on good ground last season was a brilliant effort. The good ground is crucial to him, while on the other side of the coin, I’d say Majborough was probably better on softer ground. On that basis, I think there’s value in taking on Majborough with Solness.