Cheltenham Tips For ITV Racing On Saturday: 1-2-3 December Meeting Best Bets

It’s day two of the December Meeting at Cheltenham on Saturday and you can see Kyle Curran’s quickfire ITV Racing tips for the five LIVE races. 

Cheltenham ITV Racing Tips On Saturday 16th December 2023

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• 1:15 – 2m1/2f (New) Quintessentially Handicap Chase (Class 2): CALICO @ 2/1
• 1:50 – 2m4f (New) Virgin Bet December Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Class 1): FUGITIF @ 8/1
• 2:25 – 3m2f (New) Favourite From The Sun Now Daily Handicap Chase (Class 1): BROADWAY BOY @ 3/1
• 3:00 – 3m (New) Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Registered As The Bristol Novices’ Hurdle) (Class 1): KERRYHILL (EW) @12/1
• 3:35 – 2m4f (New) Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 2): BONTTAY @ 11/4

1:15 – 2m1/2f (New) Quintessentially Handicap Chase (Class 2): CALICO @ 2/1

SportsLens (Kyle Curran) 1-2-3 Cheltenham ITV Racing Tips: Dan Skelton’s CALICO returns to Cheltenham a month after a solid runner-up effort behind Triple Trade.

The son of Soldier Hollow led by two lengths after the last fence but was headed towards the finish by a race-fit Triple Trade. Calico should come on from that effort and looks a strong bet in the first of the Cheltenham ITV Races on Saturday. He had to concede a huge amount of weight last time out too, but he seems to be well handicapped for this and should go well.

In Excelsis Deo has been well supported in the market, so can be a close challenger and Madara won on testing ground in France and has his ideal conditions, commanding respect at a bigger price.

• CALICO
• In Excelsis Deo
• Madara

1:50 – 2m4f (New) Virgin Bet December Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Class 1): FUGITIF @ 8/1

SportsLens (Kyle Curran) 1-2-3 Cheltenham ITV Racing Tips: FUGITIF has put in some solid performances over course and distance over the last 12 months and has a great chance of finally getting a win at Prestbury Park.

He looked a huge threat in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last month when finishing fourth behind Stage Star in an ultra competitive contest and was keen early on in first-time cheekpieces. Those come off here and he should improve from that seasonal reappearance where a late blunder also didn’t help his chances.

He traveled strongly on the bridle for the most part despite being so keen early on LTO and Richard Hobson’s charge can get his maiden victory at Cheltenham.

Thunder Rock has been well backed in the ante post betting and is respected after a solid reappearance win. Meanwhile Fakir D’oudairies is a multiple Grade 1 hurdler and despite the big weight should be heavily involved.

• FUGITIF
• Thunder Rock
• Fakir D’oudairies

2:25 – 3m2f (New) Favourite From The Sun Now Daily Handicap Chase (Class 1): BROADWAY BOY @ 3/1

SportsLens (Kyle Curran) 1-2-3 Cheltenham ITV Racing Tips: Nigel Twiston-Davies’ BROADWAY BOY has taken incredibly well to chasing and looks to be a very smart prospect, winning two of his three starts over the bigger obstacles.

He beat a next time out winner on his chase debut before finishing a very respectable second to the classy Flooring Porter. Last time out he was even better when landing a valuable listed contest at Cheltenham and the New Course should suit him just as well with his strong staying credentials. Broadway Boy is improving with every run and landing this steeper contest would be a serious statement.

The Venetia Williams-trained Easy As That had a couple of entries on the card but this is the race he goes for and he has had money come his way so any further market support would be a positive. Meanwhile Back On The Lash has proved he is a stayer in the past but needs to improve here, and the more galloping course should be in his favour.

• BROADWAY BOY
• Easy As That
• Back On The Lash

3:00 – 3m (New) Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Registered As The Bristol Novices’ Hurdle) (Class 1): KERRYHILL (EW) @12/1

SportsLens (Kyle Curran) 1-2-3 Cheltenham ITV Racing Tips: KERRYHILL from the small Ruth Jefferson yard comes here in good nick after a good win on rules debut at Kelso last time out.

In what looks to be a hot, but very open novice contest, Jefferson’s charge can go well. He has solid form in points on soft and heavy ground over 3m with form figures of 1-2 and he will handle these conditions perfectly. This is tougher but with testing ground a likelihood, it’s a good opportunity of landing a big prize.

Destroytheevidence is seeking a hat-trick after an impressive double at Kelso but may want better ground, meanwhile Cadell’s owner sponsors the race so he should go nicely but he’ll have to reverse the form with Kerryhill to win.

• KERRYHILL
• Destroytheevidence
• Cadell

3:35 – 2m4f (New) Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 2): BONTTAY @ 11/4

SportsLens (Kyle Curran) 1-2-3 Cheltenham ITV Racing Tips: BONTTAY comes from the well-respected Fergal O’Brien yard and has picked up a few solid wins this year including a Class 2 novice at Kelso. She won a handicap at Hereford on seasonal reappearance in gutsy fashion so is in good form.

The progressive mare also won two valuable bumpers at Cheltenham in 2021 before finishing second behind the classy Queens Gamble also on the flat in her last appearance here.

O’Brien’s horses are running extremely well and the stable is operating at a solid 26% strike rate.

Nicky Henderson‘s Theatre Glory enters calculations given his 2022 form, but needs to get back to her best to land this after a couple of disappointing runs when sent off as favourite the last two. Coquelicot won nicely in class 1 company last time out and should be in the mix.

• BONTTAY
• Theatre Glory
• Coquelicot