Cheltenham Christmas Meeting Best Bets
The home of the National Hunt game is getting into the festive spirit early with the latest edition of the excellent Christmas meeting. Here, we run through the quality Saturday card and pick out our best betting options – including in the huge handicap affair of the December Gold Cup.
1:15 Quintessentially Handicap Chase
The Joe Tizzard-trained Triple Time doesn’t run in this contest for the handicap chasers, but he holds the key to finding the winner. Of the seven runners set to line up, no fewer than six have finished behind Triple Trade in their previous outings this season – beaten by varying distances and under a range of weight disparities.
Pouring over the numbers reveals the Harry Fry representative In Excelsis Deo comes out best under these conditions. A repeat of his effort when staying on from a mile back to grab third at this track in October may be enough, but there are reasons to suspect he may step up on that effort. Firstly, that outing represented his seasonal return, so he can be expected to strip fitter. Secondly, as a five-year-old making only his sixth start over fences, he is open to more natural progression than most of his rivals. Of the others, Prince Escalus looks a little overpriced at around the 16/1 mark, but with only two places to play for, the best bet is to keep things simple and side with the jolly.
- Best Bet - In Excelsis Deo to win @ 2/1 with Betvictor
1:50 Virgin Bet December Gold Cup
Next up, the big one, as 12 go to post for one of the headline handicaps of the winter months. Dan Skelton’s Thunder Rock has proved all the rage in the betting, and it’s not hard to see why, with his second to Datsalrightgino last season and verdict over Mahler Mission advertised in no uncertain terms, with that duo going on to finish first and second in the Coral Gold Cup. However, any value in his price has long since departed, and he hasn’t convinced us with his jumping in two previous outings around here.
Paul Nicholls is a man to fear in any big Saturday event, and his Monmiral makes the shortlist on his first start since a wind-op. A price of around 11/2 looks fair, but no more than that, and the horse who looks to have been a little overlooked is Torn And Frayed from the Nigel Twiston-Davies operation. Getting in off a mark of 136, he is handicapped to go very close, considering he landed a Grade 3 handicap over track and trip by six lengths off 130 back in January 2022. He has had his issues since but showed plenty of life on his first start in 658 days last time out – travelling smoothly into contention before a lack of fitness set in as he fell 2 from home. There was plenty of encouragement to draw from that, and, sure to strip fitter for a yard in flying form, he can hit the frame. Take the 18/1 with Betfred, who are paying each way on the first four.
- Best Bet - Torn and Frayed each way @ 18/1 with Betfred
2:25 Favourite From The Sun Now Daily Handicap Chase
This looks like a cracker of a staying chase. Broadway Bob and Malina Girl were hugely impressive winners at this track last time out and have unsurprisingly made their way towards the head of the market. As likeable as those efforts were, the race did fall apart around Broadway Bob, whilst Malina Girl has a significant hike in the handicap to contend with.
Running off 139, we suspect the best-handicapped horse in this field may be the Venetia Williams representative, Easy As That. The angle here is that the eight-year-old has long looked like a horse who may thrive over a stamina-sapping distance, but has not yet had the chance to prove it. Doing all of his best work late when cruising to victory over 2m5½f at Haydock last season, he caught our eye when running on from off the TV screen to grab sixth in the hugely competitive Paddy Power Gold Cup over 2m4f in November. Moving up to 3m2f here, this could be the time to catch him.
- Best Bet - Easy As That to win @ 5/1 with Ladbrokes
3:00 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle
Last but not least, we like the look of an each-way punt in this event for the up-and-coming staying hurdlers. The obvious stumbling block here is the Nicky Henderson-trained favourite Shanagh Bob, who could be anything following a solid success on his first start for the Lambourn operator. He is, however, priced accordingly and worth taking on as he steps up from a Class 4 Novice to this high-profile Grade 2 affair.
Cadell and Kerryhill bring solid form to the table, and Destroytheevidence appears tough as old boots, but the one we like at the prices is the John McConnell runner, Moon D’Orange. Such is the strength of Irish racing at present that anything making the trip is invariably worth a second look. Being by Spanish Moon and out of Dylan Thomas mare, this one boasts a stout stying pedigree, and we loved the way he found a second wind to run on for third at Thurles last time out. Cheekpieces go on for the first time ahead of this assignment, and he looks just the sort to relish the Cheltenham Hill.
- Best Bet - Moon D’Orange each way@ 12/1 with Coral
Top 20 Betting Offers
|
18+ New customers only. Place a £10+ bet at min odds 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £30 in Free Bets, valid for 7 days on selected bets only. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org |
|||||
|
T&Cs apply. 18+ New customers only. You must place a single win-only bet of £10 or more with odds of evens (2.00) or greater to qualify. Money back as £10 in free bets. Free bet is credited the day after the qualifying bet has settled. Must use code B10G10 when creating an account. |
|||||
|
New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. |
|||||
|
New cust. Deposit £10+ in 7 days & bet on sports. Min odds apply. Reward = 4 x £10 Free Bets (2 x £10 Bet Builders & 2 x £10 Sports bet). Valid 7 days. Free bets not valid on e-sports & non UK/IE horse racing. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org. |
|||||
|
18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet up to £40 (min. £20) via mobile or app on any football (odds 1/1+) within 7 days of registration. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets, which expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly |
|||||
|
New players. Choose bonus at signup. Wager bonus 10x. Any withdrawals void bonus. Valid 30 days. Deposit used 1st. Odds, bet & payment limits. T&Cs apply. 18+. |
|||||
|
New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Bet min of £/€10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £/€10 Win + £/€10 Place) within 7 days of registration. Receive £/€20 Tote Credit and £/€10 Free Sports Bet. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to the bet slip. 7-day expiry. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. |
|||||
|
18+ New UK+ROI Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€10 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 5x £/€10 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
18+, UK only. Deposit and place a £10 cash bet at single or accumulated odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater and we will give you £10 in free bets. Free bets credited as 4 x £5 Void or 'Draw No Bet' wagers do not qualify for this promotion. Available once per customer. Free bets will be credited at bet settlement and will expire 7 days after being credited. Full T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
18+ New UK+ROI Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 6 x £5 free bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days, stake not returned). Restrictions + T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
*New members only. £10+ bet on sports (ex. Virtuals) 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days; £20 use on sportsbook, £10 on Bet Builder. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+ |
|||||
|
New Customers Only. To qualify, deposit and place a minimum £10 bet on any sport. Then, place two additional qualifying bets, each worth at least 50% of your largest initial stake. Quinnbet will credit your account with a Free Bet up to £25, the following day 18+ T&Cs Apply. Gamble Responsibly. |
|||||
|
New members only. £10+ bet on sports (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accepted in 7 days, valid 7 days; £20 use on sportsbook, £10 on Bet Builder. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+ |
|||||
|
Place a £10 fixed odds single or £10 each-way bet at minimum odds of 1/2 and get 3 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 3 x £5 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x £5 Winning Favourites spread bets and a £1 racing Race Index spread bet. 18+ www.gambleaware.org. |
|||||
|
New sportsbook customers only. Place £10 first bet at min odds 1/2 to get £20 Free Bet. Stake not returned. Free Bet valid 7 days, min odds 1/2. Settled bets only. One welcome offer per customer (not with 50% Net Loss Refund). 18+. Full T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
18+| GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Opt in. Deposit and Bet £10+ on sports at min odds of 2.0+ (1/1) for £30 in Free Bets within 7 days. Debit cards or instant bank transfers only. Free bets expire within 7 days of issue. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply.#AD |
|||||
|
#AD | Welcome bonus for new players only | Maximum bonus is 100% up to £100 | Min. deposit is £10 | No max cash out | Wagering is 40x bonus | Maximum bet with an active bonus is £5 | Eligibility is restricted for suspected abuse | Skrill & Neteller deposits excluded for welcome bonus | Cashback when offered, applies to deposits where no bonus is included | Cashback is cash with no restrictions | T&C's apply |Free bet: Min odds: 2.0 - Free bet value will be deducted from free bet winnings | 18+ | BeGambleAware.org | Gambling is addictive, please gamble responsibly! |
|||||
|
Offer valid for new Betgoodwin customers aged 18 years and over. Min qualifying stake £10 at odds of 6/4+. Excludes horse & greyhound racing. Min 4 legs at odds of 2/5+ for £10 free acca. Full Terms apply. begambleaware |
|||||
|
18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 at odds 2.00+ within 10 days, no cashout. Get 6x £5 Free Bets, set events at odds 2.00+. 7 day bonus expiry. T&Cs apply, see below. gambleaware.org | Please Gamble Responsibly. |
|||||
|
New customers only. To qualify for free bets, the new user must place and settle £20 on easyBet markets. The user must bet on at least 2 different events to qualify. The user must place and settle bets at odds of 2.0 or more. An event is classed as two different sporting events. Bets can be placed on singles, multiples and Bet Builders. The user must place and settle bets before the closing date of the promotion to qualify. Users making their first deposit by Skrill, Neteller or PaySafe card will not qualify for this promotion. T's and C's Apply. Be Gamble Aware. 18+ |
