Ben Morgan’s Cheltenham weekend tips – Ship set to sail despite stormy seas

Racing Ahead’s resident tipster Ben Morgan selects his best bets for the weekend’s action at Cheltenham – plus today’s action.

Friday

1.10 – Capitaine to lead the pack in competitive opener

With Storm Claudia currently battering the country and in particular the Midlands, the ground, come the off on Day 1 of Cheltenham’s November meeting, is likely to be soft at least.

I then expect it to be riding soft, heavy all week, with it likely to be dead come Sunday if we have a drying day tomorrow and Sunday.

I’m basing my tips on that presumption, so no doubt the Sun will miraculously appear once this goes to press and I will be left to look out of touch.

The opening race on Day 1 is a competitive Conditional jockeys event and I’m having two punts in the hope of at least one hitting the frame.

EL CAPITAINE seems to have rejuvenated himself since the switch to Kayley Woolacott’s yard and made a successful return to racing under rules at Newton Abbot last time out.

He travelled sweetly that day and, in my view, was worth more than the winning distance suggested as the short run in seem to catch Harry Cobden out slightly as he gave the eventual second the opportunity to gain a run on him.

A mark of 116 looks within reach based on that performance and Tiernan Power Roche would be a strong jockey booking.

My other punt has drifted slightly this morning, but I’m not too fussed as I think KALIUM could be progressive.

He certainly progressed last season as novice hurdler albeit Tim Vaughan didn’t overface him.

His win at Newbury has worked out well and the prospect of soft ground shouldn’t inconvenience him.

Roisin Leech takes off a handy 7lbs and I think he could outrun his odds.

4.00 – Prince to be crowned King

Again, another competitive handicap hurdle to round off proceedings on Day 1, but I do like FRONTIER PRINCE here as I am sure he is better than his mark of 118.

He returned last time out at Chepstow in what I thought was a good race and won by just getting up on the line.

That doesn’t quite tell the whole story, however, as he travelled like much the best horse, but Johnny Burke got blindsided by the staying on Louis Veron, who came home with a rattle to almost steal it.

With a big field here, he should have a good pace to aim at and I expect an ending not quite so nervy this time.

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Saturday 

2.20 – Ground coming up Perfect for King

The Paddy Power Gold Cup looks to be based around whether the unexposed Jagwar can handle top weight on this ground on his reappearance.

I’m going to take a punt and say it might just be a step too far for him and instead back two at 3 times the price.

ES PERFECTO is my main hope and the ground seems to have come right for him as trainer Alan King is keen for him to run on softer ground to help his delicate joints.

When he has made the track, especially around here, he has performed well and suggested a pot like this is within his grasp.

His placed effort at the Festival last year confirms that, and if he is to win one of these races, then he might not get a better opportunity.

Around a similar price is HOE JOLY SMOKE, who drops back in trip after just being outstayed over an extended 3m last time out.

The forecast soft/heavy ground will be sure to bring his stamina into play, however, and I can see him staying on stronger than anything else up the hill.

Whether he has too much ground to make up remains to be seen, but I will take a punt that he can be in the mix.

2.55 – All Roads lead back to Cheltenham

GOWEL ROAD is a Cheltenham veteran who these days very rarely turns up anywhere else apart from here.

However, he keeps lumping these big weights around here with relative success, although he tends to find one or two too good.

However, one day his consistency will be rewarded and I think the heavy ground on show on Saturday might just push this race in his favour.

He ran a good race on reappearance, only tiring late, much better than the distance beaten suggested, so with that under his belt, I think he will improve on that and go close here.

3.30 – French fancy for Hobbs 

It was hard not to be impressed by FRENCH SHIP last time out as he cantered away from the well handicapped Navajo Indy over this course.

A rise of 8lbs will make life harder, but I’m sure he had more in hand that day, and his connections must be confident in his ability to let him take his chance here off a big weight.

I’m not sure the horses down the bottom amount to much, so I do think the horses at the top of the racecard have it between them, and I think the selection is the one who could progress the most. 

Sunday

3.30 – Greatwood Glory awaits Team Skelton?

I love the Greatwood Hurdle and it has been a successful hunting ground for me down the years.

I’m awaiting official declarations as this goes to press, but I have got three horses on my shortlist, all at tasty prices which I think could have a big say.

First of all is KNICKERBOCKERGLORY, whose record when fresh on soft ground is very impressive.

The moons have aligned for him to line up on likely soft ground and young Freddie Keighley looks set to take the ride, taking off a handy 7lbs.

That makes him a very sound each-way play at around 16/1.

His stablemate FAIVOIR looks overpriced, also given his record over Course and distance.

He has recently returned off a long lay off but shrewd connections will undoubtedly have him in a good place for this.

40/1 for a former winner of a County Hurdle is just far too big.

Finally, I think RUBBER BALL is the unknown here and his mark of 128 could be lenient.

The soft ground would be a slight unknown, but he has crept in down the bottom of the weights, and if handling the ground is a danger to all at 20/1.

READ MORE: Cheltenham November Meeting 2025: Greatwood Handicap Hurdle race analysis and preview