Racing Dec 07, 2025

Cheltenham tips: Il Ridoto backed to retain crown at Prestbury Park for Paul Nicholls

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Cheltenham tips: Il Ridoto backed to retain crown at Prestbury Park for Paul Nicholls

The Weekend Winners panel return with the best betting insights for Cheltenham's November meeting.

Kate Tracey, Sam Boswell and Declan Rix took particular interest in Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase - ran over two miles and four furlongs at Prestbury Park.

With four wins from his last five starts, Jagwar heads the market in the JP McManus silks with Vincenzo and last year's winner Il Ridoto also in situ.

"I thought this race is based around Jagwar - the market leader. I know he's a Cheltenham Festival winner but I'm not too sure about the form in behind him. Having done the stable tour for the yard, they say he has made progress physically from last year. I don't think he's well handicapped, but he could be the potential star.

"At the prices I'm going to side with Hoe Joly Smoke from the Dan Skelton yard. Harry Skelton has discarded the ride on him for Panic Attack, but Kielan Woods could suit the style of this fella - being a hold up and picking them off late. He looked in good order with himself last time out and the step back in trip should suit."

"I'm with last year's winner Il Ridoto as he fits the most trends you need to win this race. He helped me tipping him up in this race last year and he still fits all the trends this year. He made a pleasing return at Chepstow when tiring late on and making an error at the last when Paul Nicholls' horses are needing the run.

"Ideally you want a seven-year-old for this race but he's only eight. You need to be prominent in this race which he will be, and you need to have had a prep run which he has. With headgear refitted I think he can go back-to-back in this race."

"You will not find a more in-form trainer than Sam Thomas and he brings Vincenzo to this race. His last seven runners have seen five wins. His runner here hasn't been seen much over this trip which is a question mark. He got nabbed at Newbury by a possible miracle ride and he ran such a good race. His record first time out is also a question mark, but his yard is too good to discount.

"He's around the 5-1 mark and he's the one to take on the top of the market. The Irish have an awful record in this race which is worth keeping in mind, having not won it for about 20 years."

Watch Weekend Winners in full on the At The Races YouTube channel...

Tags:

racing news id:13470154

Share this article

Related Posts

Cheltenham Festival: Haiti Couleurs 7/1 for Gold Cup after easy Denman Chase success at Newbury for Rebecca Curtis

Cheltenham Festival: Haiti Couleurs 7/1 for Gold Cup after easy Denman Chase success at Newbury for Rebecca Curtis

Haiti Couleurs made all the running to win the William Hill Denman Chase at Newbury and set up a potential tilt at the Gold Cup in the process.Rebecca...

Cheltenham Festival: Lulamba cements Arkle favouritism with Game Spirit Chase victory at Newbury

Cheltenham Festival: Lulamba cements Arkle favouritism with Game Spirit Chase victory at Newbury

Lulamba cemented his position at the head of the betting for the Arkle at Cheltenham when ultimately running out a convincing winner against his elder...

Champion Chase: Barry Connell backing Marine Nationale to bridge Majborough gap at Cheltenham Festival

Champion Chase: Barry Connell backing Marine Nationale to bridge Majborough gap at Cheltenham Festival

Barry Connell remains confident Marine Nationale will put up a staunch defence his crown in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham next...

Cheltenham Festival: Tutti Quanti has Paul Nicholls dreaming of Champion Hurdle after Newbury demolition job

Cheltenham Festival: Tutti Quanti has Paul Nicholls dreaming of Champion Hurdle after Newbury demolition job

Paul Nicholls is contemplating supplementing Tutti Quanti for the Champion Hurdle after an astounding performance in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbur...

Cheltenham Festival: Nicky Henderson should go public with Constitution Hill schooling video, says Matt Chapman

Cheltenham Festival: Nicky Henderson should go public with Constitution Hill schooling video, says Matt Chapman

Matt Chapman has called on Nicky Henderson to make Constitution Hill’s schooling videos public to act as 'back-up' if they decide to run in the Champi...

Grand National: 2024 winner I Am Maximus heads the weights for Aintree spectacle

Grand National: 2024 winner I Am Maximus heads the weights for Aintree spectacle

I Am Maximus, winner of the Randox Grand National in 2024 and second last season, heads the weights for this year's Aintree spectacular.The Willie Mul...