Cheltenham and Punchestown – Sunday 15th November

Going predictions: Cheltenham good to soft; Punchestown soft.

1:00 (Cheltenham) Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1) – 2m 87y

SPORTING LIFE verdict:

A small but select field head to post and ALTIOR can follow in the hoofprints of last year’s scorer Vyta Du Roc. Nicky Henderson has made little secret of the regard in which he holds the son of High Chapparal and he showed plenty of resolution when scrambling home at Ascot after flattening the final flight. Maputo is another shrewd recruit to the game for John Ferguson and he looked as good as ever when scoring at Kempton. The ground is a slight question mark against him, though he has won on a softer surface on the Flat. Simon Squirrel has reportedly had breathing issues though he won impressively enough on his hurdling debut at Newton Abbot. Mister Miyagi beat Drumlee Sunset when they met in a maiden at the track, though both would need to improve in order to take a hand. Viens Chercher steps up in grade having slammed weaker opposition at Sedgefield and Market Rasen.

Selection: ALTIOR

Alternative: SIMON SQUIRREL

1:35 (Cheltenham) Racing Post Arkle Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) – 1m 7f 199y

SPORTING LIFE verdict:

Garde La Victoire proved most progressive last season and, following a successful debut over fences at Uttoxeter, Philip Hobbs’ six year old has plenty to like about him at this level. With softer ground likely, stamina could come into play and it is with reluctance that we oppose him with CALIPTO. Paul Nicholls’ charge jumped particularly well at Fontwell and, though the trainer has nominated future targets over further, he still has enough pace to be effective over this shorter trip. Fox Norton has a flawless record over fences and he was no mug over hurdles. Rain would aid his chances though it will be tough for him to concede a winner’s penalty. Dormello Mo has been on the go for quite some time while El Namoose and The Grey Taylor attempt a massive leap up in grade.

Selection: CALIPTO

Alternative: GARDE LA VICTOIRE

2:10 (Cheltenham) Shloer Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) – 1m 7f 199y

Sprinter Sacre

Despite failing to rediscover his sparkling form of old last season, there’s every reason to believe SPRINTER SACRE can gain a first success in over two and a half years on his first run of this campaign. The vibes from the Henderson yard have been positive in the weeks leading up to this and race condition’s mean he receives weight from the majority of today’s rivals. If there was ever an opportunity for the once 188-rated champion two-mile chaser to get his head in front once more, this could be it. Mr Mole has his quirks but showed last season that he retains plenty of ability, landing three of his five starts, and commands respect despite conceding 10lb to the selection. Simply Ned finished second in the race last term and he should make his presence felt again after posting a career-best effort last time out when winning a 6-runner handicap at Kelso. The evergreen veteran Somersby also has to enter calculations, but he often fails to get his head in front where it counts, while both Croco Bay and Savello will need to step up if they are to feature in this company.

Selection: SPRINTER SACRE

Alternative: MR MOLE

2:15 (Punchestown) StanJames.com Morgiana Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) – 2m

Faugheen

This looks to be an easy enough assignment for the Champion Hurdler FAUGHEEN to open his account for the season and stretch his unbeaten run to 11 wins from 11 starts. He was imperious at the Festival and even more impressive over C&D in May when landing the Irish equivalent on the bridle. A similar performance should be on the cards here, and it would be no surprise at all to see Willie Mullins land a 1-2-3 with stablemates Nichols Canyon and Wicklow Brave expected to fight out the placings, with slight preference for the latter of the two with race-fitness on his side. Identity Thief should be best of the remainder.

Selection: FAUGHEEN

Alternative: WICKLOW BRAVE

2:40 (Cheltenham) Stanjames.com Greatwood Hurdle (Grade 3 Handicap) (Class 1) – 2m 87y

This looks typically wide-open and a lot will depend on the amount of rain overnight, so it may be best to see how testing conditions are before backing the likes of Nabucco or Sign Of A Victory. The former would be of particular interest if the ground doesn’t come up too soft following his win in a Listed handicap at Ascot last time out (Sign Of A Victory back in 4th). Both Days Of Heaven and Renneti have the ability to win a race like this, but neither can be trusted when it comes to their temperament and others appear better handicapped. Two that fall into that category are Mick Jazz and SUPERB STORY. The former came up against some smart types in a couple of juvenile hurdles at Newbury at the end of last year and he may have been let in lightly here, as might the selection. Superb Story failed to progress after winning on his hurdling debut last term but looked to be back on track at Wetherby recently when landing a decent handicap first time up for his new yard. With the likelihood of more to come and no worries about soft ground, he gets the nod. Waxies Dargle produced a career-best effort when last seen and any significant ease in the ground would be in his favour, while Bidourey shouldn’t be overlooked despite his yard struggling for winners at present.

Selection: SUPERB STORY

Alternative: MICK JAZZ

The Showcase, Saturday – Cheltenham

2:35, Marie Curie Cancer Care Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 2m 4f

A competitive field looks set to line up for the second race on the card and plenty will fancy their chances. Last year’s winner Johns Spirit returns to a track he knows well and, despite being 18 lb higher than that victory, looks to have every chance of winning this again if running up to the form that saw him finish fourth at the Festival. Champion Court carries top weight but is now 3 lb lower than his last winning mark and could be a big danger if he gets his own way out in front. The market is currently headed by the Emma Lavelle trained Claret Cloak who was unlucky not to record a win in 2m handicap company back in the spring. He now races beyond 2m 1f for only the second time in his career and there has to be some doubt about his stamina over this extended trip, as well as the potential for overnight rain to ruin his preferred ground conditions. However, one horse who won’t be concerned by the trip or a change in the going is PERSIAN SNOW. Philip Hobbs’ entry had been progressing nicely in handicap company before a below-par effort last time out at the track back in April. That result was probably just a case of one race too many and he should now be seen back to full effect after a long break. Of the remainder, Workbench looks an interesting prospect after a fruitful summer and course winner Ackertac should not be dismissed off his current mark.

Recommended: PERSIAN SNOW – 8/1

3:10, Masterson Holdings Hurdle (Class 2) – 2m 110y

Calipto

Despite the small field, it looks like a smart bunch of four-year-old’s that’ll line up for this class 2. Both Stephen Hero and Violet Dancer deserve respect, but neither have shown the ability thus far to suggest they can bother the market principals. Tiger Roll surprised a few when winning the Triumph Hurdle on only his third start over hurdles and obviously has to be respected, despite disappointing at Punchestown last time out, but preference has to be for CALIPTO who surely would have got closer to him that day had his stirrup not broke after jumping the second last. Paul Nicholls’ charge also has an 8 lb pull in the weights with the Irish raider and that alone should be enough to give the yard a third successive victory in the race. The only other runner is the Evan Williams trained Ballyglasheen who impressed when winning the Swinton at Haydock back in May and could be a threat if reproducing his best form.

Recommended: CALIPTO – 11/8