Robin Goodfellow’s Racing Tips: Best bets for Saturday, December 11
Nicky Henderson has appeared to spend more time fighting critics than on National Hunt’s major prizes this season, but FUSIL RAFFLES (Cheltenham, nap, 1.50) can redress the balance in the Racing Post Gold Cup.
The likes of stable big guns Shishkin and Champ have sidestepped their intended targets in recent weeks, with the Seven Barrows trainer determined not to compromise the campaigns of his stars by running when conditions aren’t satisfactory.
Those methods have encouraged social media commentators to be even more active than usual. But Henderson has shrugged off the brickbats and in Fusil Raffles, Henderson has a second-season novice capable of building on a very promising start to the season.
Sportsmail’s racing expert Robin Goodfellow dishes out his tips for Saturday’s meetings
A comeback effort behind the highly talented Bravemansgame at Newton Abbot served to blow away the cobwebs and, although the selection was gifted the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby by Shan Blue’s late demise, it was an encouraging display over three miles for the first time.
However, his best effort in an eight-race chase career came on today’s New Course when following home stablemate Chantry House in the Grade One Marsh Chase at the Festival in March.
Saturday’s feature will demand a different skillset from the six-year-old, but jockey Daryl Jacob felt that Fusil Raffles learned plenty from his Wetherby experience and the ability to stay three miles while having the pace to win over shorter are valuable assets this afternoon.
CHELTENHAM
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
12.05 Message Personnel
12.40 My Drogo
1.15 Editeur Du Gite
1.50 Fusil Raffles (nap)
2.25 Gelino Bello
3.00 Song For Someone
3.35 Martello Sky
GIMCRACK
12.05 Message Personnel
12.40 My Drogo
1.15 Notre Pari
1.50 Midnight Shadow (nap)
2.25 Gelino Bello
3.00 Song For Someone (nb)
3.35 Hotter Than Hell
NORTHERNER – 1.50 Midnight Shadow (nb)
DONCASTER
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
11.50 Kicksaftersix
12.20 Stepney Causeway
12.55 Threeunderthrufive
1.30 Shantou Sunset
2.05 Sonigino (nb)
2.40 Magistrato
3.15 Mance Rayder
GIMCRACK
11.50 Gredin
12.20 Sao
12.55 Threeunderthrufive
1.30 Jersey Lady
2.05 Tommy’s Oscar
2.40 Knight Salute
3.15 Fidux
NORTHERNER – 2.05 Tommy ’s Oscar (nap)
HEREFORD
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
12.12 Velasco
12.47 World Of Dreams
1.22 Kapga De Lily
1.57 Bold Plan
2.32 Can You Call
3.07 Vee Dancer
3.42 Bo Kaap
GIMCRACK
12.12 Ebony Gale
12.47 Mojito Royale
1.22 Kapga De Lily
1.57 Seddon
2.32 Hardy Du Seuil
3.07 Terrierman
3.42 Bo Kaap
WOLVERHAMPTON
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
4.15 Billy Roberts
4.45 Diamond Jill
5.15 Socially Shady
5.45 Peintre D’etoiles
6.15 Quick Change
6.45 Bankrupt
7.15 Muscika
7.45 Some Nightmare
GIMCRACK
4.15 Dundory
4.45 Rania
5.15 Socially Shady
5.45 Roman Dynasty
6.15 Quick Change
6.45 Bankrupt
7.15 Night Narcissus
7.45 Some Nightmare
NEWCASTLE
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
1.45 Victoriano
2.20 Island Brave
2.55 Shake A Leg
3.30 Straits Of Moyle
4.00 Franz Strauss
4.30 Spartan Fighter
5.00 Birkenhead
5.30 Whiteandblue
GIMCRACK
1.45 Victoriano
2.20 Coltrane
2.55 Three Platoon
3.30 Luxor Flush
4.00 Nolton Cross
4.30 Going Underground
5.00 Birkenhead
5.30 Sweet Mist
NEWMARKET – 4.00 Franz Strauss (nb); 5.30 Trois Vallees (nap).
