Sunday Racing Tips: Sonigino can spring a Greatwood surprise

The final day of Cheltenham’s November meeting takes centre stage on Sunday and there is a superb six-race card to look forward to at Prestbury Park, plus three other meetings in Britain and Ireland. 

First off is Navan before they go at Newcastle, Fontwell and Cheltenham. 

Among our Sunday fancies is an outsider from the Paul Nicholls stable who is partnered by useful 5lb claimer Freddie Gingell. 

13:45 Cheltenham - Crebilly @ 11/4

This novices’ handicap chase looks like a good opportunity for CREBILLY, who was placed in his only Irish point-to-point, to make a successful start over fences. 

The lightly raced six-year-old was impressive on his seasonal reappearance at Newcastle last season and that is enough to convince me that he will be ready to go after 204 days off. 

Crebilly was steadily progressive after that first win last year and wound up for the season with a comfortable victory in a handicap hurdle at Sandown in April off a mark of 127. 

He is up 7lb, but looks open to plenty of improvement now that he is switched to chasing and trainer Jonjo O’Neill wouldn’t be kicking off here unless he thought Crebilly were up to it. 

14:55 Cheltenham - Jonbon @ 4/7 

Edwardstone heads some stiff opposition to JONBON in this Grade 2, but the Nicky Henderson-trained star looks like a good bet to make a winning seasonal reappearance. 

Jonbon’s only reverse in a near-perfect first campaign over fences came when second behind the top-class El Fabiolo in the Arkle over course and distance in March and he looked even better on his last two outings of the season, winning back-to-back Grade 1s. 

He scored by 43 lengths at Aintree in April and went on to prove himself outside of novice company by comfortably landing the Celebration Chase at Sandown on his final start. 

Henderson’s string is well forward after a wet winter and the trainer struck with Impose Toi at this course on Friday. It will be a surprise if Jonbon doesn’t brush aside these rivals. 

15:30 Cheltenham - Sonigino @ 11/1 

The big handicap hurdle of the weekend can go to SONIGINO, who finished third in a hot handicap hurdle at Aintree in April and looked as good as ever on his seasonal return. 

Sonigino was beaten only three and half lengths in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow on that occasion and cruised into the lead on the approach to the last. He looked certain to win from that point, but was outstayed and lost two places on the run-in to finish third. 

The Silver Trophy was over 2m31/2f, so maybe Sonigino didn’t stay that far and he should be suited by returning to 2m1/2f on a stiff track like Cheltenham, especially if they go fast. 

That looks certain in a big field of 16 runners like this and Sonigino has the services of Freddie Gingell. Paul Nicholls’ last two winners of this were ridden by claiming jockeys and Gingell is good value for his 5lb. 

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