Cheltenham Season Opener - Racecard with our picks for all 7 races.
- Will Sprigg
- Oct 22
- 4 min read
After a long summer and a warm start to autumn the rain has hit and that means bigger field sizes as the ground has finally eased. Good ground currently for the Cheltenham Season Opener but a chance it could ease further with a wet forecast.
Oddschecker Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) is the feature on day 1 of this 2 day meet, Un Sens A La Vie is the current favourite for Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies who are going great guns with a strike rate at 29% (8 wins from 28 runs). Point to point, Bumper and hurdle winner comes here after an easy success at Market Rasen 10 days ago, likely to improve for that and could be really hard to beat under Sam Twiston-Davies.
Click our interactive racecard below.
13:15 William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
5 star selection
French Ship
Had a useful novice hurdle campaign last season including being beaten only 5 lengths by The New Lion who is the current favourite for The Champion Hurdle.
Opening run of the season ended with a crashing fall when challenging 3 out. Will need to bounce back from that and Ben Jones takes over from Micheal Nolan. Yard run 2 here with Saint Anapolino giving them a good hand here.
4 star selection
The Expensive One
Lightly raced unexposed 5 year old who is half-brother to top class hurdler The New One. Won comfortably at Stratford when making all under Nico de Boinville claimer takes 5 pounds off here and he runs of only 10st 2lb could bring potential here for a yard in flying order.
13:50 Holland Cooper ‘Chasing Excellence’ Novices’ Chase (Class 2)
5 star selection
Country Mile
Low mileage 6 year old who ran twice in graded company over hurdles including a long way beat 5th behind Potter Charm. Made chase debut at Uttoxeter at the start of the month but was beat 3 lengths by Alnilam who reopposes here. Gelding could improve for that chase debut and is one of interest here.
4 star selection
Kings Of Kingsfield
Was used as a pacemaker for Brighterdaysahead in two grade 1s including the Champion Hurdle but had the chance to run for himself after that. Won on chase debut at Galway and followed up straight after at Ballinrobe, went into graded company at Roscommon and was a good 3rd before winning the Grade 3 BetVictor Novice chase at Punchestown beating Birdie Or Bust. Could easily be too good for this field.
14:25 Foundation Developments Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
5 star selection
King William Rufus
8 year old who hasn't had much racing with only 18 runs won 3 races but won a big competitive handicap at Cheltenham in April under Charlie Maggs when favourite of 7/2. Has had a 191 day break and would need to be ready for this competitive race.
4 star selection
Torquay Road
Irish raider who has won his last 2 but has been consistent in his last 4 runs with form of 3411. The win at Galway came under todays rider Eoin Staples. Non runner for his chase debut at Downpatrick because he was coughing and returns back to hurdling here. Not one to write off.
15:00 Oddschecker Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
5 star selection
Fortune Der Mer
Won a listed bumper at Cheltenham in November 2024 beating Block Rockin Beats who was well beaten at Chepstow a couple weeks ago. Ran in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival but was beaten 12 lengths. Disappointed on hurdle debut at Uttoxeter when finding little up the home straight. Gelding who seems to travel to well in his races and find little. Interesting if bringing improvement.
4 star selection
Un Sens A La Vie
Highly touted 5 year old who came from the point field after winning at Loughrea for Denis Paul Murphy. Well backed to win on Bumper Debut for the Twiston-Davies team. Made reappearance on hurdle debut at Market Rasen and won very well by 7 lengths but is very hard to see what he beat that day. Comes here with a big representation and could be very talented.
15:35 Squareintheair.com Handicap Chase (Class 2)
5 star selection
Calico
9 year old now but has won some competitive races in his day including beating Matata at Cheltenham this time in 2024, had a consistent 2024/25 season with form of 13432. Finished his season with 2nd in the Red Rum Handicap Chase behind Sans Bruit. Returns here after 204 days of the track and could be challenged by younger legs here.
4 star selection
Matata
Ultra consistent campaigner who has career form at 122R1612240212133, Ran a career best at Windsor when winning by 10 lengths beating Unexpected Party. Had poor couple runs after that but up in graded company at Newbury and latterly Aintree where he made a bad mistake and was well beaten. Goes well fresh and could be ready for this.
16:10 Champions: Full Gallop Streaming On ITVX Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)
5 star selection
Arch Empire
5 year old Irish raider who has been busy since march but has rarely been out the top 3 and has been put up by not winning races and comes here of 130 after 3rd place in grade 3 novice at Tipperary but was well beaten. Drop in grade now back in a novice and only has 11st 5lb.
4 star selection
Leader Crik
£160,000 French bred bought at the Doncaster May sale by Walters Plant Hire and sent to Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies. 2nd place in only point to point at Loughrea behind Daylatedollarshort. Yard do well with debut runners, betting is important.
16:45 Santa - The Visit Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (Class 3)
5 star selection
Rockinastorm
Ultra consistent who has form of 51P2311253 since January 2024. Beat by In d'Or at Ascot in January but had Unanswered Prayers behind who he faces again here. Patrick Mullins booked who is the best u can get in these amateur races. No reason he can't win this.
4 star selection
Kelce
Improved 13 pounds for fences and hasn't been out the first 2 when he has completed the race. Including wins at Market Rasen and Wetherby, only 2 turned up against him at Wetherby but he beat them both including De Tellers Fortune of Nicky Henderson who won well before at Uttoxeter. Returns here after 220 days off the track so needs to be ready for this.
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