Cheltenham Trials Day Preview: Gowel Road Targets Cleeve Hurdle Double

This Saturday's Cheltenham Trials Day offers a crucial glimpse of potential stars for the upcoming Festival in March, with several intriguing contests set to unfold at Prestbury Park. While some races feature short-priced favourites, others present genuine betting opportunities for savvy punters.

The Feature Races at Cheltenham

The Unibet Hurdle at 3.00pm promises a fascinating clash between Sir Gino, who made a spectacular return in the Christmas Hurdle, and The New Lion, last year's Turner's Novices' Hurdle winner. However, with Sir Gino trading at prohibitive odds, this contest may not offer significant betting value.

Similarly, Grey Dawning appears heavily favoured in the Cotswold Chase at 2.25pm, making alternative betting angles scarce in that particular race.

Cleeve Hurdle: Gowel Road Seeks Repeat Success

The Cleeve Hurdle at 3.35pm emerges as a more compelling betting proposition, with last year's winner Gowel Road representing solid each-way value at 14/1. The Twiston-Davies-trained gelding triumphed in this very race twelve months ago on soft ground, conditions that perfectly suit his running style.

Although he hasn't encountered his preferred soft going this season, forecasted rain could transform the conditions in his favour. With favourite Impose Toi at cramped odds, French contender Theleme returning from a lengthy absence, and Strong Leader preferring flatter tracks, Gowel Road presents a speculative yet logical selection.

Cross Country Chase: Veteran Contender Appeals

In the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at 1.50pm, favourite J'Arrive De L'Est will prove difficult to overcome, but Latenightpass offers attractive each-way prospects at around 20/1. The thirteen-year-old boasts an excellent record over Cheltenham's unique cross-country course, having won once and placed three times from five attempts.

Having slipped to a handicap mark of 139 - below the 144 he carried when finishing second at last year's Festival - and showing he retains ability with a competitive run last time out, this veteran appears generously treated by the handicapper.

Doncaster's Great Yorkshire Chase

Shifting focus to Town Moor, the Great Yorkshire Chase at 2.05pm represents perhaps the day's most open betting contest, warranting two selections for value-seeking punters.

Hyland brings undeniable class to the race as top-weight and looks fairly priced at 9/1. His last outing at Ascot saw him travel strongly before a mistake at the second-last fence cost him victory, yet he still finished a respectable length-and-a-half behind in fourth. Racing off an unchanged mark and with Doncaster's slightly better ground likely to suit, he should run a big race.

The Charlie Longsdon-trained New Order completes the Doncaster double at 12/1. His recent Cheltenham effort saw him make the running before being headed after the second-last, eventually finishing under two lengths behind the progressive Herakles Westwood. Running off the same mark of 125, with a return to a flat track expected to benefit him and his stable boasting a good record at Doncaster, he represents solid each-way value.

Both Doncaster selections would prefer the ground to remain on the soft side of good rather than deteriorate further, but if conditions remain suitable, they each possess the credentials to run prominent races.