Cheltenham - Saturday 14th December 2013

Cheltenham’s International meeting signifies the start of the massive festive racing period – we are now less than 2 weeks away from Kempton and Leopardstown’s Christmas bonanzas – and we see The New One’s Champion Hurdle ambitions under the spotlight in the International Hurdle (3.00) today. Sam Twiston Davies’s charge has only one real rival on form, but in a race fit Zarkandar, he faces a stern challenge around the New Course. Paul Nicholls’ charge edged out The New One on his first test outside of novice company at Aintree, but dropping back down in trip on the same ground the result is widely expected to change although this should tell us far more about his title ambitions than his romp against an unfit Rock on Ruby at Kempton in October.

Attaglance (left) should enjoy the New Course more than it's counterpart and can go well in the December Gold Cup (2.25, Cheltenham)

From a betting point of view, the one race offering a proper heat is understandably the December Gold Cup (3.00) (named in honour of the Stewart Family), which – like many years – has bought the main contenders form last month’s Paddy Power Gold Cup to the fore in winner John’s Sprit, hampered second Colour Squadron, faller Easter Meteor, and fourth Attaglance. All can be given a realistic chance – and it would be foolish to ignore Grandioso or Salut Flo – but Attaglance looked as if he’d enjoy the new course’s extended straight when staying on well from the final turn to take fourth in November and the handicapper has given him a fine shout, as he comes here 9lbs better off with John’s Sprit for a 6 length beating and 7lbs better off with Colour Squadron for a 5 and a quarter length deficit. With the course today also potentially more in his favour, he can go much closer to giving Malcolm Jefferson another big winner around here in a renewal higher on quality and lower on quantity than last month’s Paddy Power.

The Reelkeel Hurdle (3.35) may well be the most fascinating, with Jonjo O’Neil’s promising More of That, Paul Nicholls’s Festival winner Salubrious, Willie Mullin’s Glens’ Melody and exciting potential World Hurdle contender Gemix all facing off. The fact they’re the only four runners gives the race a fascinating pace angle, with front runner Gemix surely going to get a good strong tempo from the flag having won the French Champion Hurdle by eight lengths going from the front. Any one of the four could win in a race that could well throw up a big contender for March.

Advice

1 pt each/way Attaglance, 2.25 Cheltenham (8/1 general)