Horse Racing Tips: Alpha can recoup Wincanton losses

There are a total of six meetings set to take place across Britain and Ireland on Saturday, spearheaded by Cheltenham's December Gold Cup card. There’s plenty of competitive action elsewhere, with an additional three afternoon jump fixtures accompanied by a pair of AW Flat meetings under the lights. 

First off is Fairyhouse at 11.30, closely followed by Lingfield (11.42), Doncaster (11.55) and Cheltenham (12.10). Newcastle (15.05) and Wolverhampton (17.00) conclude proceedings. Amongst our Saturday fancies is one for trainer Paul Nicholls, who is taken to recoup the losses of an unlucky defeat last month.

12.02 Fairyhouse - Barry Lyndon @ 4/1

There was a lot to like about the performance of BARRY LYNDON on his chase debut over course-and-distance in October and he’s tipped to follow up.

The Dermot McLoughlin-trained gelding seems to come alive at this venue, the seven-year-old having won on his last two visits, including a handicap hurdle off a mark of 127 in February.

A non-stayer over 3m at Aintree’s Grand National Meeting, he was dropped back in trip for his chase debut and produced a slick display to beat subsequent winner, Millforce.

He has no worries on the forecast soft ground, which can’t be said about one of his chief rivals, Brave Fortune, who also has fitness to prove on his return from 187 days off.

12.10 Cheltenham - One Horse Town @ 5/6

Harry Derham looks destined to break into the big time and one horse that might help propel him to that elite level is ONE HORSE TOWN, who puts his unbeaten record over hurdles on the line in the opening Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham.

The three-year-old was a fair sort on the Flat, winning a 1m3f maiden on the AW Kempton in March, but he’s really excelled since switching to hurdles and comes here on a five-timer.

As short as 14-1 for the Triumph itself back here in March after landing a Grade 2 all-the-way win on the Old Course last month, he comes out well on the figures, despite a 7lb penalty.

He’s versatile in terms of ground and doesn’t necessarily have to lead, as he showed when winning impressively at Stratford over the summer.

15.35 Cheltenham - Jubilee Alpha @ 15/8

Paul Nicholls looks set to land the finale at Prestbury Park with the progressive JUBILEE ALPHA, who would surely have bagged a fourth win in her last five hurdles runs but for a horrendous error at the second-last flight on her seasonal reappearance at Wincanton.

A dual Listed winner last term, she ran respectably to finish eight at the Cheltenham Festival in March, ultimately lacking the gears to get seriously competitive over that distance of 2m1f.

She’s thrived since going up to 2m4f plus the last twice, running to a Racing Post Rating of 137 when scoring over course-and-distance in April and 145 at Wincanton last month.

She’s surely capable of bettering that latest figure granted a clear round and, while she’s giving upwards of 14lb away to her rivals, she’s got a touch of class and may well prove up to the task.

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