A potential Triumph hope and a tentative 50-1 tip - four interesting horses on the Cheltenham undercard

Cheltenham's November meeting is one to wallow in, as the good races keep coming over three days of top-quality action.

There is still a place for clear-eyed analysis, as it is only by watching the right things that punters' ante-post portfolios will really thrive. Here are four horses running on Saturday to keep a close eye on.

Precious Man (12.35)

Precious Man won the second of his two starts at Auteuil in the spring. In the six months since then he has been bought privately, presumably for big money, was exported from France in June and at some point in between landed in Dan Skelton's yard.

We have some clues as to where he will be for this assignment. For one, Skelton will know how much this race is worth to the penny. With the right horse, this could be one of the easier £47,500 first-prize hauls available this winter. He has also put a tongue-tie on Precious Man for his British debut. The horse did not wear one in France, although he won in a hood.

Precious Man also has a Racing Post Rating of 106 for his win in May. As Phill Anderson, who produces the RPRs at Auteuil points out: "That is a pretty useful level of form for a three-year-old in May. These horses are developing all the time, so those with a more recent run are bound to have the chance to post higher figures.

"I thought Precious Man did well that day to chase down the runner-up, who had the run of the race. The form has also been boosted this autumn, with the third [Shabrack] winning at Compiegne and Auteuil."

What connections say

Dan Skelton, trainer: "He's done everything well at home and been for an away day. He's looked smart and just has to show it on the track now. He carries forward good Auteuil form and we'll see how that stacks up."

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Chambard (1.10)

At the opposite end of the spectrum to an unknown juvenile is this cantankerous teenager, who has been a great horse to own for all that he and he alone decides when he is on a going day.

There are two days that stand out in Chambard's career. The first was his Kim Muir win at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival over a similar course and distance to this. The second was the following year's Becher Chase, which was run in hock-deep mud and in which Chambard plodded, wandered and spluttered but still pulled 13 lengths clear after the Elbow. Pivotal to both wins has been jockey Lucy Turner who, particularly in the Kim Muir, showed rare skill to keep him interested.

David and Carol Shaw (right) with Becher Chase winner Chambard

Chambard: will relish underfoot conditionsCredit: John Grossick Racing

Chambard had been second in this race en route to his Becher win, and it is likely connections have lowered their sights a little now he is 13. That is to say, he may be fitter than you think for this race and he is one of few who will revel in the muddy conditions. It is still all down to whether he fancies it, of course, but as I write you can still get 50-1.

What connections say

Venetia Williams, trainer: "He's well into the veteran stage, but he seems to be enjoying it. I hope he finds his way round there effectively. He's been Lucy's ride for a long time now."

Kikijo (2.55)

In the spring Kikijo was an interesting staying novice chaser for whom the fences tended to get in the way. He still has loads of untapped potential for longer distances irrespective of code, and his return at Aintree three weeks ago was more than promising.

It is interesting that sticking to hurdles is not the plan. We know from analysis earlier in the week in the Form Hacker column that his yard does better pound for pound at the November meeting than just about any other. Running him here is opportune, rather than accidental.

Win or lose here, look out for this horse going back over fences next time. It would be a surprise if he does not leave a BHA mark of 120 well behind, over one set of jumps or another.

What connections say

Johnson White, joint-trainer: "I was delighted with the way he ran last time at Aintree. It wasn't really the plan to be running over hurdles, but this race looked attractive. The ground will come in his favour and he's in great form. Depending on how he runs, he'll almost certainly go back over fences next time."

Holloway Queen (3.30)

By her trainer's own admission, Holloway Queen was a pleasant surprise last season. She won her first two starts for Nicky Henderson, before it all went a bit awry at the end. She floundered at Sandown and barely went a yard in a Grade 1 at Aintree in April.

The Sandown run is worth dwelling on. Holloway Queen went off 6-5 favourite that day, in a race that contained Hollygrove Cha Cha (beaten less than three lengths by Resplendent Grey on her chasing debut), That'll Do Moss (second in a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse) and Blue Las (handicap winner off 120 next time).

Holloway Queen is slated to start her chasing career after this. Plenty have used this intermediate hurdle to launch themselves over fences: recent winners include Coole Cody and Springwell Bay. She would also be fine however deep conditions get, having won in particularly deep ground at Haydock in December.

Read more Saturday previews:

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