Cheltenham - Super Saturday predictions: De Bromhead's July Flower to flourish in the rain
Enda McElhinney
Cheltenham - Super Saturday: Best bet, each-way selection and treble
Recommended bets include:
Best Bet: July Flower to win the Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices' Chase
Best Each-Way Bet: Es Perfecto in the November Gold Cup Handicap Chase
It is the middle afternoon of the November Meeting at Cheltenham on Saturday, with some cracking contests in prospect in the Cotswolds — assuming the track survives a precautionary 7.30am inspection after the heavy rain of Friday.
Here is everything you need to know including the day's best bets.
Cheltenham – Super Saturday – Key info
First race: 12.35pm JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2)
Feature race: 2.20pm November Gold Cup Handicap Chase (In Memory Of Edward O'Grady) (Premier Handicap)
There are two graded races on the afternoon, a Triumph Hurdle Trial and an Arkle Trial, while one of the features of the winter at Cheltenham is the November Gold Cup.
The latest Cheltenham betting odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Best bet of the day
July Flower to win the Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices' Chase (1.45pm) @ 5/4 with LiveScore Bet
Henry de Bromhead is a maestro when it comes to two-mile chasers, with the Irishman having won the Arkle twice and the Champion Chase four times at Cheltenham.
He looks to have another classy prospect on his hands in the mare July Flower. She had some good French form and won a Leopardstown Grade 3 over hurdles last December on stable bow before running well in the Grade 1 Mares' Hurdle here in March.
She made a winning bow over fences in Ireland last month, jumping really nicely and coming clear, while she has lots of scope for improvement under in-form rider Darragh O'Keeffe. They get 7lb from Be Aware for Dan and Harry Skelton and can make it count.
Best each-way bet of the day
Es Perfecto each-way in the November Gold Cup Handicap Chase (2.20pm) @ 12/1 with LiveScore Bet
Alan King's 10-year-old Es Perfecto does not have major miles on the clock and was still racing in novice company over fences when fifth in the Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase here at the Festival in March.
That was a fine effort behind next-time-out Grade 1 winner Caldwell Potter and this Shirocco gelding turns out here from an unchanged mark of 134.
He is 0-3 at Cheltenham but has run with real credit on each visit and his excellent record when fresh is another positive.
Cheltenham - Super Saturday acca
We're providing an accumulator suggestion for Cheltenham's Super Saturday and our treble pays 132/1 with LiveScore Bet.
Bet 1: Secret Force to win the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (12.35pm) @ 11/4 with LiveScore Bet
Gavin Cromwell's raiders are always to be noted and the Gold Cup-winning trainer has two wins in two attempts with Godolphin castoff Secret Force. The Frankel gelding looked good in last month's hurdles debut at Punchestown and should progress while he is already proven on testing ground.
Dan and Harry Skelton had a fine first day here on Friday in the rain as L'eau Du Sud won the Shloer Chase. They are in cracking form and Supremely West can build on last month's third here after joining from Dr Richard Newland. He's 1lb higher but possibly had too much ground to make up last time.
Bet 3: Royal Rambler to win the Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (3.30pm) @ 14/1 with LiveScore Bet
Royal Rambler progressed with each run last season and picked up a maiden hurdle at Chepstow in February before a good second at Uttoxeter in March — a contest that threw up four subsequent winners. He was a long way clear of the remainder and Emma Lavelle's charge could defy an opening mark of 127 on this return to action.
The latest Cheltenham betting odds are available on LiveScore Bet
