Friday’s UK racing tips come your way from meetings at Cheltenham and Bangor on 15 December 2023.
CHELTENHAM
Race 3 – DODDIETHEGREAT 7/2
DODDIETHEGREAT seems to have found a great opportunity to maintain his unbeaten record and raise money for a good cause in the Catesby Estates Handicap Hurdle.
Named after the late Scottish Rugby Union international Doddie Weir, any money he wins is donated to MND charities and so far he has won all four.
However, his Ascot win last time out came after a 746-day break. Should he avoid the dreaded ‘bounce’ factor he looks the one to beat off a mark of 131.
Race 4 – LA MALMASON 28/10
LA MALMASON looks likely to have a strong chance in the Cheltenham Racecourse Food Bank Collection Mares’ Handicap Chase.
On his last appearance at Down Royal he never threatened and was beaten by 10 lengths.
However, he was prominent in the chasing group and pressed the leaders, so he should have a good chance here.
Race 5 – STORM CONTROL 7/2
In the Unibet Middle Distance Chase Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase, STORM CONTROL looks like he could be the one to beat.
He may just find the pace of this race to his liking and if he’s allowed to dictate, he may just get into a rhythm and be difficult to peg back.
He is a grade three winner, but his last appearance was a year ago when he finished fourth in a chase at Doncaster, which was preceded by a moderate eighth in a chase at this track.
Race 6 – GESSKILLE 4/1
The Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase sees stars of the racing world take to the field, including 2021 Gold Cup winner Minella Indo and previous Savills Chase winner, Galvin.
However, with this race being a handicap, they may struggle to concede weight to GESSKILLE, who is being aimed at the Grand National.
He is trained by the excellent duo of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero and has won on his last two appearances including an impressive victory over the Grand National course.
Race 7 – WHITE RHINO 5/2
In the Citipost Handicap Hurdle, WHITE RHINO looks like he has a great chance to add to his haul of victories.
With four victories from his nine appearances to date, the Greenall and Guerriero horse looks like he could be a star in the making.
With a narrow second on this course last time out, losing by only three quarters of a length, he has the experience of going round the course and if he puts in a performance similar to last time, he definitely has a winning chance.
BANGOR
Race 3 – HOLD THAT TAUGHT 9/4
HOLD THAT TAUGHT is one to watch in the Alfa Aggregate Products Golden Spurs Handicap Chase.
He recently won at Ascot, where he triumphed against similar competition, but that was only his third victory from 16 appearances and his first since October 2021.
However, the Venetia Williams horse has a good weight and is expected to show further improvement.
Race 4 – BUTLER’S BRIEF 8/1
In the Corbettsports Handicap Hurdle, BUTLER’S BRIEF looks to continue his good form and stands a chance here.
He won by four lengths at Kelso in a hurdle last time out, where he was judged to be an outsider at 14/1.
In the race prior to this, he came second at Wetherby with odds of 28/1 in a field of six, but this will be a tougher test compared to those two races.
However, he has history of competing at Bangor and won a hurdle here back in May 2021.
