Ma Shantou
1st-Jan-2026
I am backing Ma Shantou here, now that he is back at Cheltenham.
Emma Lavelle’s horse was impressive in winning a Pertemps qualifier at Cheltenham’s October meeting, when he came from back in the field and staying on strongly to win nicely. The runner-up form that race, Electric Mason, enhanced the form when he won the big Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at Haydock next time off a 4lb higher mark. He is now rated 11lb higher than he was at Cheltenham.
Ma Shantou was well beaten in that Haydock race, but he could never get into his racing rhythm, he was back in the field in a race that was dominated by the prominent racers. He should be happier today back at Cheltenham, and he could be even happier on the New Course, where stamina is at a premium, than he was on the Old Course in October. He is 9lb higher in the handicap, but he is progressive enough to take that type of hike in his stride.
MA SHANTOU WON (ADV 3/1, SP 3/1)
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