Ginger Joe - Betting Tips for Friday 13 December 2024

Two winners on Friday at Cheltenham

The Cheltenham December meeting is almost here, and I can barely wait for the action to start. I have two fancies for the opening day on Friday, which I advise backing as two singles, with a small punt on the double for good measure.

We start off with the Novices’ Hurdle and I fancy a mare that has a huge reputation. Based on her first Rules start to date, she is only going to continue improving. Handling Cheltenham's undulations is the only small question mark, but I think her engine is far superior to that of her rivals in this field.

Then in the Handicap Chase over 3m 2f I fancy a front runner who just continues to get better and better over fences. I don’t usually entertain front runners in these longer Chases, but this is a seriously smart horse who jumps for fun and that fact alone will make him extremely hard to beat. I am serious when I say that I’m expecting two winners from my Friday betting tips.

Coral is my bookie favourite for Friday

Courtesy of Coral, new customers have the opportunity to grab a great deal. Bet £5, and you’ll get £20 in free bets. What better start for the Cheltenham December meeting?

12:10 Cheltenham - The Novices’ Hurdle 2m - That’s Nice (NAP)

A small but classy field kicks off the day at Cheltenham, and we could be in for a real treat here. Dan Skelton’s Country Mile has been nicely progressive and he has plenty of speed on his side too. Whether he has the beating of the front pair here is another question, but the fact he jumps and travels so well should make him competitive at least. Wingmen is Gordon Elliott’s representative. He is a horse that has been highly-tried to date, and the experience he will have gained from those races may bode well for him. My only concern regarding Wingmen, is that he isn’t the fastest, and may prove more effective over a longer trip.

I genuinely think the one to side with is the new JP McManus mare, That’s Nice, who is in training with Nicky Henderson. She won her PTP very nicely and then won at Warwick on her Rules/Hurdles debut, pulling clear of Honky Tonk Highway in the closing stages. And that one went on to frank the form by winning next time out too. Although That’s Nice showed inexperience that day, she is sure to have learned plenty, and she receives weight from the geldings too. Provided she handles the Cheltenham undulations, then I believe she has a great chance of making it three wins in a row here.

13:50 Cheltenham - The Handicap Chase 3m 2f - Chianti Classico (NB)

Our next stop is a Handicap Chase for the Stayers’. King Turgeon has been in fine form for the Pipe team, and he is on for a hat-trick bid here, but I think he may be out of his comfort zone at Cheltenham, which could mean an end to his winning run. I also want to give a big shout out to Our Power here too. He will enjoy the trip, enjoy the conditions, and he has plenty of finishing speed too. He is currently on the market at a huge price, so he is well worth considering as an each way prospect.

Personally, I believe that Chianti Classico is pretty much unbeatable here. As the Ultima Handicap Chase winner he has already proven his worth around Cheltenham and he looks 100% ready to take this as well. He always goes from the front, which isn’t something I’m always keen on in this type of race, but his jumping is just superb, and he never seems to miss a beat. All things being equal, Chianti Classico will be kicking for home on the final bend and will be seriously hard to pass - I think he has this race in the bag.

Betting tips for Friday 👇

• 12:10 Cheltenham - That’s Nice (NAP)
• 13:50 Cheltenham - Chiant Classico (NB)

Top free bet offers ready for the weekend! 👀

👀Stay on the right track - follow Ginger Joe!🏇

👇 Follow Ginger Joe on Twitter, YouTube and Discord 👇

🎥 GJ on Youtube
#️⃣ GJ on Twitter
🫰 Join GJ's expert Discord Channel