Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for Cheltenham Trials Day on Saturday

Saturday’s action at Cheltenham Racecourse could have major implications for March as Cheltenham Trials Day brings together proven stars and emerging Festival contenders.

Cheltenham Trials Day is a key date in the National Hunt calendar, with Grade 2 races and competitive handicaps offering clues for the Champion Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Cheltenham’s stiff finish, winter ground and strong pace profiles make this a crucial test and a valuable day for punters looking for Festival angles.

Below, I break down the key races, assess the strongest form lines and highlight the best bets for Saturday’s Cheltenham Trials Day.

Top Cheltenham Trials Day offers

Cheltenham Trials Day (Saturday) tips

• 12.05 Califet En Vol – 4/1 each way with BetVictor
• 12.40 Minella Yoga – 9/4 with Betfred
• 1.15 Jagwar – 2/1 with SBK NEXT BEST
• 1.50 Final Orders – 4/1 each way with 247Bet
• 2.25 Grey Dawning – 8/13 with bet365
• 3.00 Sir Gino – 4/9 with PaddyPower
• 3.35 Impose Toi – 10/11 with BetVictor NAP
• 4.10 Taurus Bay – 11/4 with SBK

*odds provided are correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for Cheltenham Trials Day on Saturday 24th January

Find my top tips for today’s racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:

12.05 Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase (Class 2) 2m41/2f

A fiercely competitive opener to Trials’ Day as you’d expect and I’m keeping the faith with CALIFET EN VOL for Nicky Henderson.

I know he has been a bit underwhelming since going chasing but he still looks to be armed with potential and if he improves as much as he did from his chase debut last time then he will be a big player here. He goes handicapping for the first time and has untapped potential.

Push The Button is probably the solid one given his form has been franked behind Meetmebythesea and again Steel Ally at Ascot. He lacks a change of gear though and might just find one or two too strong here.

Jordans Cross was unlucky to fall here on penultimate start but then made hard work of it at Doncaster and this is a stronger race. Barlovento arrives in winning form and is probably a greater danger under Sean Bowen.

 Bet on CALIFET EN VOL each way at 4/1 with BetVictor 

12.40 JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1) 2m1f

• 6 of the last 11 winners were favourites or joint favourites
• 9 of the last 11 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
• 9 of the last 11 winners won on their last run before
• 4 of the last 11 winners were rated 131 or higher (7 of 11 didn’t have a rating)

There are some nice horses lining up for this juvenile hurdle and MINELLA YOGA could prove the best of them. I was really impressed with the way he won at Newbury on debut for Paul Nicholls.

I thought he overcame inexperience to beat another nice horse in Act Of Innocence and he is only going to improve from the run. This is tougher but he is going the right way and is worth keeping on side. Sam Twiston-Davies takes the ride and it could be a good start for his revitalised relationship with Nicholls.

Maestro Conti was obviously impressive at Kempton and looks a lively danger for Dan and Harry Skelton. He won by nearly 10 lengths but my worry is he wasn’t really tested.

He is still the danger with improvement likely though. One Horse Town has experience on side and shouldn’t be underestimated but might just be bumping into a couple here.

 Bet on MINELLA YOGA to win at 9/4 with Betfred

1.15 Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (Class 1) 2m41/2f

• 10 of the last 11 winners were aged between 6 and 8
• 7 of the last 11 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
• 2 of the last 11 winners won on their last run before
• 9 of the last 11 winners were rated 133 or higher

I don’t want to sound too harsh but I didn’t think JAGWAR was given the best ride on return last month. He crossed the line with more running to give but I understand it is a long season ahead and perhaps Jonjo O’Neill didn’t want to be overly hard on him.

Nonetheless he should be spot on for this now and I fully expect him to get back to winning ways. He is still a really exciting horse for the season ahead and I can see him being backed off the boards here.

Booster Bob has won his last two over fences and impressed winning easily on return at Newbury. Freshened up since he shouldn’t be underestimated as he clearly has a big engine.

Javert Allen bumped into Ryan’s Rocket at Newbury when last seen and is another one expected to get competitive as he is still lightly raced and has quite a bit of class about him – perhaps worth an each way saver.

 Bet on JAGWAR to win at 2/1 with SBK 

1.50 Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (Class 2) 3m51/2f

I do enjoy watching these Cross Country races but from a punting perspective they can be a bit of a lottery. I’m sticking with FINAL ORDERS to confirm recent C&D form over J’arrive De L’est.

The former took really well to this discipline springing a 16/1 surprise on that occasion but there didn’t seem much fluke about it and he is good value to back that up here.

J’arrive De L’est is clearly unexposed and ran well in defeat the last day and should be fitter so I do understand why he is being backed to gain revenge.

Placenet is over from France again and ran well when fourth behind the selection and the favourite last time so is entitled to get involved again. At a massive price it would be good to see Tommie Beau run better but he is an 11yo now and needs to prove he retains his ability.

 Bet on FINAL ORDERS each way at 4/1 with 247Bet 

2.25 Betfair Cotswold Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) 3m11/2f

• 9 of the last 12 winners were aged between 7 and 9
• 9 of the last 12 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
• 5 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before
• 12 of the last 12 winners were rated 157 or higher

Obviously from a punting perspective GREY DAWNING is plenty short but even so I’m really looking forward to seeing him out again especially at this track.

He was an awesome winner of the Betfair Chase when last seen gaining his revenge on Royale Pagaille winning virtually on the bridle. I’m really hoping he can back that up here as if he wins well he will be a lively player in the big one come March.

If you do like his Gold Cup credentials then it is worth backing him now at 14/1 as bookmakers historically overreact and he could be half that if he bolts up.

L’homme Presse won this race 12 months ago beating Stage Star in good style up the hill. He didn’t run badly here on reappearance and is probably the one to chase the favourite home.

Spillane’s Tower has been bitterly disappointing and despite showing a bit more back over hurdles at Punchestown is hard to make a case for.

Bet on GREY DAWNING to win at 8/13 with bet365 

3.00 Unibet Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1) 2m1f

• 7 of the last 12 winners were aged between 4 and 6
• 10 of the last 11 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
• 6 of the last 11 winners won on their last run before
• 9 of the last 11 winners were rated 156 or higher

A lot like Grey Dawning in the race before SIR GINO is likely to go off a warm order and you won’t get rich backing him. It would be great to see him win impressively though as he really does look a horse that can go to the top and stay there for a long time.

This yard have had a few of them through the years and everything we have seen screams star quality. He thrashed rivals in the Christmas Hurdle on return and is expected to have too much for this field.

The New Lion seemed under pressure when falling in a dramatic Fighting Fifth and if he runs well in second that would be a good stepping stone for him to get back in the right direction.

It is impossible to look past the front pair finishing 1-2 as both Nemean Lion and Brentford Hope quite simply don’t look good enough.

 Bet on SIR GINO to win at 4/9 with PaddyPower 

3.35 Pertemps Network Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1) 3m

• 7 of the last 11 winners were aged 8 or older
• 8 of the last 11 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
• 4 of the last 11 winners won on their last run before
• 8 of the last 11 winners were rated 152 or higher

No surprise to see IMPOSE TOI a warm order for this as all he has to do is confirm recent form to come out on top.

He showed a good attitude to run down Strong Leader at Newbury and back up that Aintree win and then improved again to win smoothly at Ascot last month. He is still unexposed over this staying trip and should win this en route to the Stayers’ Hurdle back here in March.

Strong Leader is tough, likeable and consistent and should give the favourite most to think about again. He knuckled down well at Ascot to pip Honesty Policy for second with 7 lengths back to Potters Charm who has franked the form since. Ma Shantou impressed beating Ace Of Spades here on New Year’s Day but this is tougher again.

 Bet on IMPOSE TOI to win at 10/11 with BetVictor 

4.10 AIS Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1) 2m41/2f

A fascinating finale on Trials Day and while I expect Act Of Innocence to improve from Newbury I still think he might be up against it in the shape of TAURUS BAY. The latter is yet to be tested winning easily at Stratford and then going through the gears to beat Captain Hugo at Aintree.

That form has been franked since and moving up to 2 and a half miles now I can see him taking a big step forward again. He has looked a natural and I have a feeling he could be a really smart prospect for Ben Pauling who is already having a terrific season.

It is not just a two horse race though as The Blue Room has decent form and I think he can improve as well.

He was beaten by No Drama This End at Sandown but that horse looks one of the best novice hurdlers around so certainly not disgraced. Heads Up also has form that ties in with the latter so shouldn’t be ignored either in a good race.

 Bet on TAURUS BAY to win at 11/4 with SBK 

My top tip for Cheltenham Trials Day on Saturday

I’m hoping it could be a good day for JP McManus so I have included 2 of his horses in my Trials’ Day Acca at Cheltenham. At the prices JAGWAR is definitely the NAP of the day as he should improve tons from that reappearance run and be hard to beat.

GREY DAWNING will be looking to cement Gold Cup credentials and SIR GINO is also out to enhance his Festival claims in the Champion Hurdle. IMPOSE TOI has already beaten Strong Leader the last twice and can complete the hat-trick over that rival to hopefully bring home the four-fold.

Bet a Win Acca on JAGWAR, GREY DAWNING, SIR GINO and IMPOSE TOI at 12/1 with bet365

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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