UK racing tips – Saturday 16 December 2023

CHELTENHAM

Race 3 – IN EXELSIS DEO 7/4

The green and gold hoops of JP McManus may be to the fore in the Quintessentially Handicap Chase, with IN EXELSIS DEO on an attractive weight.

Harry Fry’s five-year-old caught the eye making late headway when third behind Dancing On My Own at this venue in October and has the scope to be much tougher mentally and physically this season.

Race 4 – SO SCOTTISH 4/1

SO SCOTTISH fits the profile of a Virgin Bet December Gold Cup Handicap Chase winner and has a strong chance of securing Cheltenham success.

Past victors have invariably run well at Prestbury Park before and the six-year-old ticks that box after a creditable seventh in the Plate Handicap Chase at last season’s Festival.

Although finishing behind the reopposing Fugitiv and Il Ridoto on that occasion, So Scottish was prominent for a long way and just failed to last home up the hill.

He should be that little bit stronger this term and will no doubt strip fitter for a spin at Gowran Park last month, whereas some of his rivals have had more strenuous work-outs this term.

The Irish raider also showed he does not suffer from travel sickness when scoring at Carlisle last winter before giving Boothill a decent test at Ascot, form which has been well and truly franked of late.

Top-weight Fakir D’oudairies, a multiple Grade One winner, will also carry the colours of McManus, so the fact that Mark Walsh has opted to partner Emmet Mullins’ charge suggests connections mean business.

Fugitif is rated a big threat on his fine course form, but only one of the last seven winners of this race has carried 11st or more – and just two of the past 11.

Race 5 – EASY AS THAT  4/1

EASY AS THAT was noted doing his best work at the business end when sixth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, so a step up in trip for the Favourite From The Sun Now Daily Handicap Chase should suit.

The eight-year-old looked a stayer in the making when scoring at Haydock last winter, is proven on soft ground and hails from an in-form Venetia Williams yard.

Race 6 – SHANAGH BOB 2/1

Nicky Henderson’s exciting prospect SHANAGH BOB won going away on his debut over timber at Plumpton and is also expected to enjoy having further to travel in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

Race 7 – BONTTAY 5/2

The best bet on a cracking Cheltenham card could come in the concluding Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Mares’ Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles via BONTTAY.

Fergal O’Brien’s charge had to battle hard to edge out Puffin Bay by just a neck at Hereford last month, but that was a commendable effort over a sharp two miles on good ground.

Her dam was a scorer over six furlongs further on heavy ground at Sandown and stamina seemed to be Bonttay’s strong suit during a smart stint in bumpers, which included two wins at this venue in 2021 and a staying-on second to Queens Gamble the following year.

DONCASTER

Race 5 – CERENDIPITY 4/1

Sue Smith has hit a rich vein of form recently and her CERENDIPITY takes the eye in the bet365 Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

The six-year-old’s jumping got better as the race went on when he showed plenty of spirit to prevail at Wetherby at the end of last month and it would be no surprise if there is still more improvement to come.

Race 6 – RARE EDITION 7/2

RARE EDITION tilted at windmills in the spring when competing in the Supreme and a Grade One Aintree novice but can find the company far more conducive in the bet365 Handicap Hurdle.

A course and distance scorer during his earlier four-timer, Charlie Longsdon’s charge has shown he goes well when fresh and has been fairly assessed by the handicapper.

Race 7 – MISTER COFFEY 5/1

MISTER COFFEY had excuses for being beaten a long way at Cheltenham on his seasonal reappearance and is worth another chance in the bet365 Handicap Chase.

Although yet to win in 10 outings over fences, he has been placed at the last two Cheltenham festivals and was in front at the second-last in the Grand National until running out of stamina.