Cheltenham October Meeting and Doncaster Saturday tips
This round-up expands on our original Saturday selections for Cheltenham and Doncaster, adding context on form, ground and sensible staking. Please note: betting is only for those aged 18 and over and should be approached responsibly.
How we approach the weekend horse racing selections
We combine recent form, course records, trainer/jockey trends and the track/going forecast to form a clear view on each selection. Our aim is to give readers practical insight rather than guaranteed outcomes.
Cheltenham selection analysis: Lisnamult Lad review
Lisnamult Lad’s profile shows a horse that has performed well fresh and on good ground, yet there are questions about his three-mile staying ability over fences. Where a horse is new to fences or stepping up in trip, we prioritise stamina evidence and the rider-trainer combination when assessing each-way value.
Interpreting prices and each-way value on Saturday
Each-way terms, field size and the bookmaker’s place policy should shape your stake size rather than headline odds alone. When backing longer-priced prospects try to find bookmakers offering generous place terms to improve the value of an EW bet.
Doncaster and Futurity contenders: Anno Domini notes
Anno Domini brings a useful pedigree and consistent juvenile form into the Futurity and has shown the ability to raise his game in listed company. When assessing juveniles, look at pattern race form and the degree of progression between runs as better guides than raw price alone.
Trainer and jockey form to weigh up before betting
Trainers who target specific early-season Cheltenham races and jockeys who excel at the track are meaningful indicators of expected performance. Small shifts such as a jockey booking or a stable reported to be in form often alter the interpretation of a horse’s market price.
Masterson Hurdle and juvenile form: Givemefive view
Givemefive appears race-fit and has form on sound surfaces, making him a sensible alternative to a heavily-fancied early-season favourite. For juvenile hurdles, fitness for the first assignment and prior Flat miles can be important positive factors.
Responsible staking plans and bankroll guidance
Set a weekly or monthly staking budget before you look at the market and never stake more than you can afford to lose. Betting should be treated as entertainment and not a way to solve financial problems; if you are concerned, seek help and consider exclusion tools.
Staying novices and Theatre Man: race outlook
Theatre Man projects as a strong staying novice with proven Cheltenham form on similar days and a sound jumping record in novice company. Where stamina and course experience are in your favour you can justify a marginally larger win stake, but always within a pre-defined staking plan.
Course and ground notes for Cheltenham and Doncaster
Cheltenham’s undulations and Doncaster’s galloping track both reward horses with tactical adaptability, while going changes can dramatically alter form lines. When ground reports are borderline check each horse’s best surface and recent run data to decide if the conditions suit.
How to use bookmaker comparisons and free bets sensibly
Compare each-way terms, sign-up offers and price availability across multiple firms before placing a bet to get the best practical value for your stake. Use free-bet offers to trial markets but treat them as a convenience rather than a route to profit; always read the terms and conditions.
Below is the full original race-by-race copy from our initial preview, reproduced verbatim for reference and transparency.
Original detailed race-by-race selections and notes
At the time of writing, day one of the Cheltenham October Meeting hasn’t started, so let’s assume all of Friday’s selections won, naturally.
It’s a big day in both the jumps and Flat scene on Saturday, and here are my main selections.
1:10 Cheltenahm – Lisnamult Lad @ 20/1 with Betfair (4 places) – 1pt EW
The opening contest on Saturday at Chelteham is wide-open, but Lisnamult Lad deserves respect for Ian Donoghue.
When trained by John McConnell, he showed promise over hurdles, notably when bolting up at Hexham over 2m4f and Ludlow over one furlong further.
He was sent off 5/2 to beat Butch at the same meeting last year, but I’m not sure how well he stays three miles.
So easy! Irish raider Lisnamult Lad bolts up in the @HexhamRaces opener for @benharvey11 and @McConnellRacing… pic.twitter.com/OKYeZhdhC3
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 6, 2023
After that, ran well over three miles on his first two starts for Donoghue when second to the well-handicapped Bardenstown Lad and Tommie Beau, both of whom have won since.
He has something to prove over fences, but he’s won on good ground before, goes well fresh, and is open to improvement over the bigger obstacles.
2:05 Doncaster – Aberama Gold @ 7/1 with Bet365 (5 places) – 1pt EW
There’s nothing quirky about this pick as Aberama Gold is well-known to many people.
I put him up in this column when third at Haydock three starts ago.
Gamble landed! Stewards' Cup hero Aberama Gold wins again for @omeararacing and Danny Tudhope at @DoncasterRaces… pic.twitter.com/OlrnQ5lVdv
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 28, 2023
Blue Storm, the winner that day, reopposes, but David O’Meara’s seven-year-old gets a six-pound swing in the weights which is key.
Furthermore, Aberama Gold’s record at Doncaster reads 1, 18, 2, 3, 2, 2, 1, so he clearly likes the track, especially in soft conditions.
With Hollie Doyle booked, he can run a good race here.
2:20 Cheltenham – Some Scope @ 13/2 with Bet365 (4 places) – 1pt EW
Some Scope has sat patiently in the tracker for a while, but Saturday could see him turn his run of good losing performances into a win.
He was one of only two finishers in the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at Doncaster in March, a race that looked brutal in the conditions.
What a performance! 👏
Does He Know wins the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase!#ITVRacing | @DoncasterRaces pic.twitter.com/qwX9wFeREb
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 2, 2024
Speaking to Carl Hinchy, his part-owner, throughout last season, connections have wanted to keep him to a sounder surface, and he did win on good ground at Doncaster in January.
Before that, he gave Twoshotsoftequila a good beating at Catterick on good to soft ground, form that looks solid as the runner-up won two races subsequently.
Saturday’s good ground at Prestbury Park will play to his strengths and a mark of 126 is very reasonable for this improving six-year-old, so I think Some Scope will play his part in the big £100,000 handicap chase.
2:40 Doncaster – Anno Domini @ 7/1 with William Hill (3 places) – 1pt EW
The profile of Anno Domini goes against my usual MO as it’s his first run for 113 days, but I like what he brings to the Futurity Stakes.
On his final start, he gave five pounds and a good beating to Windlord who chased home Hotazhell in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes last time out.
He also beat Angel Hunter that day who has since won a hot nursery at York, and the fourth, Hawksbill, ran a solid race in the Listed Ascendant Stakes in September.
🔵👀
New Bay colt Anno Domini defies a 5lb penalty to retain his unbeaten record and land successive victories under @WilliamBuickX for Charlie Appleby @godolphin@Tattersalls1766 | @Sandownpark pic.twitter.com/7f2LapglW0
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 5, 2024
He’s a New Bay half to the Group 1 placed Kathmandu and Listed winner Pythagoras, while the likes of Alborada (two-time Group 1 winner) and Albanova (three-time Group 1 winner) are further back in the family.
Anno Domini is a likeable horse who hasn’t shown his full ability yet. Hopefully, he will do this on Saturday.
3:30 Cheltenham – Givemefive @ 7/2 with BetVictor – 1pt Win
Bottler’secret is attracting plenty of hype ahead of the Masterson Holdings Hurdle, and that’s fair. He’s the one to beat and Gavin Cromwell loves early-season Cheltenham winners.
But, as I said on Wednesday’s Only Fools Love Horses preview, Givemefive is the safe bet.
Harry Derham has targeted this race, and he’s razor-sharp when it comes to plotting horses for races. Take Shared winning at last season’s Chepstow jumps season opener as an example.
The four-year-old by Holy Roman Emperor ran a good race on the Flat at Haydock last month to prepare for Saturday’s assignment, and there’s reason to suggest his run at Fairyhouse when behind Bottler’secret wasn’t his true self.
Having raced on the Flat for Johnny Murtagh last summer, he hasn’t really had a proper break since the end of 2022 as he had just a 94-day rest between the end of his Flat campaign and the start of his jumps career.
How impressive was Kalif Du Berlais in the Coral Adonis Juvenile Hurdle? ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/WyX3AYwjwy
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) February 25, 2024
He’s race-fit, should handle the ground despite his soft ground form over hurdles to date, and it’s hard to deny the form he has with Kalif Du Berlais from the Grade 2 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle.
At the prices, I’m happy to play him.
4:05 Cheltenham – Theatre Man @ 9/4 with William Hill – 2pt Win
I could fall into the trap of backing a nice horse on its first start of the season, but Theatre Man will take some whacking in the 3m novices’ chase.
To my eye, Yeats Star and Moon D’Orange could do with softer ground, Bowtogreatness will need the run, and it’ll be tough for Hyland to give weight away to the favourite.
That leaves Transmission and Theatre Man, and while I have the utmost respect for the former, Richard Bandey’s eight-year-old should have the class here.#
Ginny's Destiny – the @CheltenhamRaces fanboy
🏇 Three runs at Cheltenham
🥇 Three wins
👏 Another cracking performance for @CobdenHarry & @PFNicholls pic.twitter.com/dcWSHG5zjQ— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 27, 2024
Despite falling at the third in the Plate (a race he went off favourite for), he’s a fairly sound jumper and it’s hard to knock his staying on second to Ginny’s Destiny, the subsequent Turners Novices’ Chase runner-up, on Trials Day.
He won at Kempton after a 79-day break in March 2023 and ran a solid race on his first start of last season when second at Newbury.
If he replicates that form, or his winning Kempton form, he should go very close here.
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Frequently asked questions about these race selections
Are these tips guaranteed to win on the day?
No. Race previews and tips are informed opinions based on form and data but they cannot guarantee results. Bet responsibly and only if you are 18 or over.
How should I stake each-way on these selections?
Stake according to a pre-set percentage of your bankroll and adjust for place terms and field size. Avoid chasing losses and stick to your staking plan.
Can I use free bets with the bookmaker comparisons?
Yes, you can compare free-bet offers across bookmakers to find the most suitable terms for your strategy. Always read the small print and wagering conditions before using any free bets.
What should I check about the going and course form?
Check recent market moves, the official going, and each horse’s best surface when deciding whether the ground will suit. Course bias and short-term weather can change the value of a selection quickly.
Do trainer and jockey statistics matter for these races?
They do; trainers who target specific meetings and jockeys who ride well at certain tracks can influence outcomes. Use form trends as one element among many when assessing value.
Is under-18 betting allowed and how to play safely?
Betting is strictly for those aged 18 and over in the UK and should be undertaken responsibly at all times. Use deposit limits, self-exclusion or seek support if gambling becomes a problem.
Where can I find updated odds and bookmaker offers?
Odds and offers change frequently so check our bookmaker comparison page for up-to-date price and promotion information. Remember that affiliate links may be used and terms apply to all offers.
