Cheltenham racecourse and trainer Ralph Beckett are not names you’d put together – but on New Year’s Day the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-winning handler will saddle a runner at Prestbury Park.
Ralph Beckett Books Harry Cobden For New Year’s Day Cheltenham Runner
Top flat trainer Ralph Beckett, who landed the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Bluestocking back in October, is not a name you often – if ever – see next to a horse running at Cheltenham.
But that’s exactly what’s happening on Wednesday at Prestbury Park as the Hants-based horse racing handler has an entry in the 3:50pm on January 1st 2025.
Okay, the race in question is a NH Flat race – but it’s still under the National Hunt bracket and with champion jockey Harry Cobden booked to ride then the best horse racing betting sites in the UK are sure to be taking no chances on his entry.
The horse is called GNOMEN, who is a son of Time Test, and will head to Cheltenham on New Year’s Day having won his debut start at Exeter in October.
He landed that NH Flat race by 4 3/4 lengths and with the seventh that day – a horse called Voderman – having won at Fontwell since, the form looks fair.
While the horse who was last in Gnomen’s race – Star Of Guiting – has also since come out and won a fair race at Exeter in December to further advertise the form.
The horse ran a bit green that day too – wandering around in the closing stages, so you can expect him to have come of a lot for that too.
With recently retired jockey Daryl Jacob riding Gnomon in that debut win.
Cheltenham New Year’s Day Card 2025
- 12:20 – Sonic The Hedgehog 3 In Cinemas Now Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Cl3 (5yo+) 2m½f RTV
- 12:55 – Richmond Villages And Bupa Care Homes Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) Cl2 (4yo+) 2m4½f RTV
- 1:30 – Betfair Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Cl2 (5yo+ 0-150) 3m1½f ITV
- 2:05 – Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 2m4½f ITV
- 2:40 – Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) Cl2 (4yo+) 3m ITV
- 3:15 – Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 2m4½f ITV
- 3:50 – Raceridecheltenham “Junior” National Hunt Flat Race (Standard Open) (Listed Race) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo) 2m1f RTV
New Year’s Day Cheltenham Card To Be Shown On ITV Racing
Despite the National Hunt Flat Race, that features the Ralph Beckett Cheltenham runner NOT being shown on ITV Racing – the cameras are still at the track to show four races between 1:30pm and 3:15pm.
These include the Relkeel Hurdle, which features Golden Ace, Lucky Place, Salver and Langer Dan.
With the other Cheltenham contests (as well as the ITV Racing ones) also being shown on Racing TV.
