14:00 Cheltenham Tips: 33/1 Shot for the Jack Richards’ Novices’ Handicap

Race two on day three of the Cheltenham Festival is the Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase, formerly a Grade 1 and also known as The Golden Miller. 

This race has been re-designated as a handicap for 2025 and a strong field of 20 runners will take the challenge. Enda provides his Runners Guide along with his Jack Richards' Novices' Limited Handicap Tips for us here at Betfred Insights...

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Novices' Limited Handicap Chase Runners Guide

Springwell Bay (Jonjo & AJ O'Neill/Jonjo O'Neill Jr) 17/2 

A useful hurdler and he's gone on to better things since being switched to chasing. He enjoyed an emphatic win over track and trip on New Year's Day and a 9lb hike shouldn't prevent another bold show. 

Firefox (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy) 11/2 

Held his own as a Grade 1 novice over hurdles last season, including third here in the Supreme, and has kept good company in graded events in Ireland since winning on chasing bow at Down Royal in November. Handicap debut. 

Caldwell Potter (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) 12/1 

He perhaps hasn't managed to justify his lofty €740,000 price tag since joining these connections but he also hasn't done a whole lot wrong since his Carlisle win in December. Switches to handicaps and could be a player. 

Dee Capo (Gordon Elliott/Danny Gilligan) 22/1 

Got up late to win a beginners' chase at Leopardstown (2m5½f) at Christmas but his overall body of form this season requires improvement in this company. 

Answer To Kayf (Terence O'Brien/John Shinnick) 9/1 

Ran well behind talented rivals on his first two starts over fences in Ireland, then won easily on handicap bow at Naas (2m4f) in January. Could be more to come but he's 15lb higher here. 

Asian Master (Willie Mullins/Thomas Costello) 13/2 

Two sound runs in defeat in Fairyhouse beginners' chases when third behind Majborough and Mistergif, this increased trip should suit on handicap bow and his rider claims a very handy 7lb. 

Insurrection (Paul Nicholls/Jonathan Burke) 22/1 

Second behind Springwell Bay at Chepstow on chasing introduction in October and arrives here having scored in wide-margin fashion last month at Musselburgh, for which he has gone up 8lb. 

Nurburgring (Joseph O'Brien/JJ Slevin) 6/1 

Galway Hurdle winner last summer and has also shown up well on the Flat since. Will need to improve his jumping on handicap chase debut but dangerous to discount him. 

O'Moore Park (Willie Mullins/Sean O'Keefe) 12/1 

Twice fell at Fairyhouse in beginners' company before improving to finishing fourth at Gowran Park over this trip last month. Improvement demanded on handicap bow. 

Anyway (David Budds/Darragh O'Keefe) 40/1 

Has acquitted himself well at times in four runs over fences, suggesting he'll improve on his hurdles form, and was around 10 lengths behind Dee Capo at Leopardstown last time. Opening mark demands a chunk of improvement. 

San Salvador (Joseph O'Brien/Richie Deegan) 18/1 

More exposed than plenty of these, he won a Grade 3 at Roscommon in September and wasn't disgraced here over 2m behind L'eau Du Sud in November, but he took a fall at Leopardstown over Christmas when already toiling in a handicap and is 2lb higher now. 

The Other Mozzie (Gavin Cromwell/Conor Stone-Walsh) 16/1 

Made it 2-4 over fences when coasting clear at Naas (2m) in January but a concern is raised from his November defeat here and the fact he is 11lb higher in the ratings now is a worry. 

What's Up Darling (Gordon Elliott/Sam Ewing) 20/1 

Fairly consistent sort, he's 0-4 over fences but not without promise in that sequence. Opening handicap mark looks fair and there could be improvement to come. 

Pic Roc (Ben Pauling/Ben Jones) 10/1 

Unlucky faller on chasing bow at Carlisle in November but two positive runs in defeat since at Exeter (2m3f) and Newbury (2m7½f). Should relish this big-field scenario and is open to improvement. 

Densworth (Ben Pauling/Callum Pritchard) 33/1 

Winner at Wetherby (2m3½f) in November on second chase start but was subsequently pulled up at Newbury before Christmas. Had had a wind op since and sports cheekpieces on this return. 

Moon D'orange (John McConnell/Sean Bowen) 14/1 

Fairly consistent in four chase starts over various trips before scoring in game fashion over C&D on Trials Day in January. He's 6lb higher in a deeper race now but should run his race again. 

Lord Of The Thunder (Joe Tizzard/Brendan Powell) 18/1 

Has recovered from the setback of falling on chase bow over C&D in October to run well in three starts since, including defeating re-opposing Pic Roc at Newbury (2m7½f) last month. Raised 5lb for that. 

Es Perfecto (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) 33/1 

Twice placed over C&D as a novice last season and is 2-4 this term as a second-season chaser. Career-best when scoring at Sandown last month (second scored since) and can't be discounted despite ratings-rise/stronger company. 

Ryan's Rocket (Fergal O'Brien/Jack Hogan) 25/1 

Chepstow winner over 2m on fencing bow in November and another good effort at Ascot when second before Christmas. Stamina query to answer following his C&D run on Trials Day. 

Shanbally Kid (Willie Mullins/Brian Hayes) 25/1 

He finished third in the Coral Cup here last season off this mark, but his form in four runs this season over fences leaves plenty to be desired, having been beaten 30 lengths at Leopardstown last month on handicap bow from 9lb lower. 

Verdict 

Es Perfecto @ 33/1 & Pic Roc @ 10/1 

Top-weight Springwell Bay is difficult to pass over but there are a host of dangers in receipt of weight. So, too, the expensive Caldwell Potter could come good here for Paul Nicholls but he does have something to prove currently. Irish challengers Firefox, What's Up Darling and Moon D'orange are also noted. 

ES PERFECTO looks overpriced for Alan King. He's a 10-year-old but hasn't got many miles on the clock and he posted a personal best in his win at Sandown last time. He also twice ran well over C&D as a novice last season and could shine back here. 

Second choice is Ben Pauling's PIC ROC, progressing with each start over fences and a good second behind re-opposing Lord Of Thunder over further at Newbury last time.