"....he's going to have plenty of overbet runners this term...."

Friday, 23rd October 2026

“….he’s going to have plenty of overbet runners this term….”

>>>>> TODAY'S selection here....

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks in Saturday’s big handicaps on ITV….

I’m on MOON D’ORANGE in the 2.55 at Cheltenham – up at 8s….

…. I’m on LUCKY BERE at 14s in the 2.20 at Cheltenham….

…. and I’m on ROSARIO at 7s in the 12.55 at Doncaster….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

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Many punters see the upcoming jumps season as the Dan Skelton roadshow – so dominant is he on this side of the Irish sea….

…. and that’s fair enough – but such is the intensity of the vibe behind the yard right now that I reckon he’s going to have plenty of runners across the season that prove to be over bet….

His Here Comes Georgie is shortest price with plenty of firms for tomorrow’s feature handicap at Cheltenham – the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase (2.55)….

…. and he might well justify the support regardless that it’s his first go of the season and that the race will be run on ground he’s unproven on….

Punters appear to expect plenty of improvement for the wind operation, the step up to 3m, the application of a first-time hood, and the presence of Harry Skelton in the saddle….

…. and good luck to them….

…. but I’ll be in opposition – backing MOON D’ORANGE at the general 8s….

He has form at the track, he has form on softer ground, and a reduced mark of 125 is well within the compass of a chaser that’s still only an 8yo….

He won a big race at the track for previous trainer John McConnell in January 2025 over the extended 2m4f….

…. and at this year’s Festival he was 3/23 in the Plate behind runaway winner Madara….

He stuck on well that afternoon and has long been expected to improve for the step up to 3m….

It didn’t happen under McConnell’s tutelage but it could happen now under new trainer Christian Williams – a dab hand with staying chasers….

A 54-length defeat over hurdles on his first start for his new yard last month doesn’t read particularly well….

…. but that run came just a few days after Williams took delivery of the horse – and can be discounted as a looksee….

Tomorrow is much more of an acid test – and it could be that the horse requires time to find his feet in his new surroundings….

…. but given the basement level mark, the return to a track where he’s done all his best work over fences, and the rain-softened ground – I’m happy to go in at the price….

Earlier on the Cheltenham card the 19-runner Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (2.20) presents a mission-impossible betting challenge that only a complete moron would choose to accept….

…. so, I’ll dive right in and tell you that I’m backing LUCKY BERE at the general 14s – a nice each-way price….

He’s at his very best when the mud is flying – evidenced by two heavy-ground wins in France early in his career, a soft-ground win at Wincanton last term, and a solid follow-up performance on testing ground at Hereford….

…. and given how well he ran on seasonal return last term, I expect Kayley Woollacott and her team will have him primed to give a solid account of himself tomorrow….

He’s repeatedly given the impression that he’ll improve for the step up to 3-miles – which he tackles for the first time tomorrow….

…. he can race prominently – which is a plus this weekend because it’s probably going to be difficult to make up ground from off the pace….

…. and the booking of Sean Bowen in the plate can’t help but catch the eye….

At the price – on pretty much Day 1 of the season – he ticks a few of the right boxes at a nice price….

…. and if he can run into the frame I’d be happy enough….

ROSARIO has dropped to a good mark for the Richard James Hone Memorial Handicap at Doncaster (12.55) and makes appeal at the general 7s….

He started the season rated 93 but he’s rated 87 tomorrow having won just once – an egg and spoon race at Sandown – from his eight appearances….

The Portland – at tomorrow’s track – was his one shot at the proper money this term….

…. he wasn’t unfancied – sent off at 17/2 for the 21-runner contest….

…. but he simply didn’t turn up on the day….

He bounced back at Ascot earlier this month – beaten just 1.5 lengths on good to firm ground….

…. and I’m interested to see if the testing ground tomorrow can draw a peak performance out of the 5yo….

He’s produced some decent efforts on the occasions he’s got to run at this time of the year on soft ground….

…. but he’s never had an opportunity on soft ground off a mark quite this low….

…. and given how he ran earlier in the month at Ascot, I expect him to run a big one….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for now. I’ll be back with more next week….

Contact me direct at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

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