Nigel Twiston-Davies’ William Hill Blog: Cheltenham novices’ chase could be a dead-heat

We couldn’t be happier with how the horses have been running lately. We don’t do summer jumpers, so to be coming into the winter with the yard in such good form is really pleasing.

Back to Cheltenham this weekend for a very busy few days and, with any luck, we’ll go home with a few winners.

Friday, Cheltenham

First on Friday is Uncle Bert in the Conditional Jockeys’ handicap hurdle (1.10pm). He’s a lovely horse and we’re lucky enough to have our lad James Turner riding, claiming 10 pounds. He should have a pretty good chance as a result, and the softer the better for him, so conditions suit. James rides really well, and I think the track will suit him, so he should stand in good stead.

Next is Guy in the two-mile handicap chase (1.45pm). This doesn’t look quite such a hot race, but he’s slightly different because, for him, it’s the drier, the better. He should run well, but I’m not sure that these will be his ideal conditions, but we can probably hope for a place. I think there is scope for improvement where he’s concerned, but mainly on drier ground later on in the season.

Mr Mackay goes in the two-mile novices’ handicap hurdle (4.05pm). His price looks a bit big, in my opinion. He’s a nice little horse who had no luck in running over course and distance last time out. He jumped and ran well, he just needed a bit of help. It was only his third run over hurdles, but he is a very nice horse and I think he can hold his own against the older horses here.

Saturday, Cheltenham

Kicking us off on Saturday is Undersupervision in the Amateur Jockeys’ handicap chase (1.10pm). We’ve got a seven-pound claimer on him, Toby McCain-Mitchell, and he’s another lovely horse. His last run wasn’t that great and he was pulled up, but he will have improved for that run and show a better side of himself here.

We’ve got two in the Listed three-mile novices’ chase; Weveallbeencaught and Broadway Boy (1.45pm). These two horses have very similar profiles, very similar handicap marks and I’m as baffled as any punter as to which will run the better race! They’re both lovely horses, and we’ll find out a lot about them on Saturday. They weren’t beaten far at all by Flooring Porter in their last appearance together, and they weren’t far apart either. It was Weveallbeencaught’s first run of the season, so he’ll come on for that, and it could almost be a dead-heat in front. Broadway Boy is the youngest in the field, but we know he’s got the talent to be a real player here too.

Torn And Frayed follows in the Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.20pm). He’s been off for nearly two years now, but he’s lacking nothing in fitness and we’re very excited about him. He’s been handy at Cheltenham in the past and he’s at the bottom of the handicap here, but he’s in great form at home and can go and take his chance.

In the three-mile handicap hurdle is The Newest One (2.55pm). He doesn’t want the ground to be too soft, and he’s had a long break, so we’re just hoping to see him back on track here. We’ll see what he can do this time, but he’d ideally like better ground than he’s getting.

Saturday, Uttoxeter

Awesome Foursome is going to Uttoxeter for the 2m4f handicap hurdle (3.22pm). He could be the favourite here, having won in September at Perth and following up with a second at Ludlow three weeks ago. He’s near top weight, but Finn Lambert takes off five pounds and he should have a real chance.

Sunday, Cheltenham

I’ve two of my own horses running on Sunday; Tedley in a very hot maiden hurdle (1.10pm) and my home-bred Boy From Brazil in a competitive listed bumper (4.00pm). They are two nice, young horses but they are very much still learning, so I’ll just be seeing what they can do here.

They’ll be running in my colours, which means they’re both for sale!