Horse Racing Tips: Meg Nicholls’ Blog Handicap Chase preview, predictions and best bets for Cheltenham

bet365 logo

bet365

Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets
Open Account Offer – New Customers only. Bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets when you join bet365. Sign up, deposit between £5 and £10 to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value settle. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply. Registration Required. #Ad. 18+ Only, gambleaware.org.
BetMGM logo

BetMGM

Bet £10 Get £40 In Free Bets
New cust. Deposit £10+ in 7 days & bet on sports. Min odds apply. Reward = 4 x £10 Free Bets (2 x £10 Bet Builders & 2 x £10 Sports bet). Valid 7 days. Free bets not valid on e-sports & non UK/IE horse racing. 18+. T&Cs apply.
William Hill logo

William Hill

Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets
18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org.
Betfred logo

Betfred

Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets
New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply.
BetUK logo

BetUK

Bet £10 Get £30 In Bonuses
New cust only. Opt-in required. Deposit & place a bet within 7 days and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater to be credited with 3 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 football. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply. Acca Club: Available to new & existing customers. 3 or more selections. Min Odds: 3/10 (1.3) per leg. Max stake: £500. Max Winnings: £200,000 per boost. Profit Boost amounts vary. Horse Racing, Greyhounds & Trotting excluded. Exclusions apply. Full T&C’s apply. 18+ GambleAware.org.
LiveScoreBet logo

LiveScoreBet

Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets
New members only. £10+ bet on sports (ex. Virtuals) 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days; £20 use on sportsbook, £10 on Bet Builder. Stake not returned. T&C’s Apply + deposit exclusions apply #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org.
10Bet logo

10Bet

100% up to £50 on first deposit
New bettors. Select bonus at signup or use code SPORT. Wager deposit & bonus 8x. Max qualifying bet = bonus. Valid 60 days. Odds, bet & payment limits apply. T&Cs Apply; 18+ | Please gamble responsibly #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org
Virgin Bet logo

Virgin Bet

Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets
New members only. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals), placed & settled at 1.5 min odds in 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days, use on sportsbook only (ex. virtuals), stakes not returned. T&Cs Apply and deposit exclusions apply. Please gamble responsibly #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org.
18+#AdPlease gamble responsibly
Could Cheltenham’s Feature Chase Produce Another Breakthrough Performance This Afternoon?

A busy afternoon unfolds at Cheltenham today, with the spotlight firmly placed on the Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap Chase at 2:25. The meeting promises competitive action across a well-balanced card, and the feature event brings together a compelling mix of emerging chasers and seasoned handicappers. The conditions should offer a legitimate test of stamina and balance, with the softer surface likely to play a meaningful role in shaping how each contest develops. Read on to find the best tips and predictions in addition to the latest betting offers for the December Gold Cup on Saturday December 13 at Cheltenham (1:50 pm).

Watch Live With bet365
Watch At The Races & Racing TV
Horse Racing — Live
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets WATCH HERE Join & Watch Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
New customers
Don’t have an account with bet365 yet?
Sign up, deposit between £5 and £10 and place qualifying bets – then enjoy watching every UK & Ireland race live with bet365 (see live streaming terms below).
New Customers only. Bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets when you join bet365. Sign up, deposit between £5 and £10 to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value settle. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs , time limits & exclusions apply. Registration Required. #Ad. 18+ Only, gambleaware.org .
Already have an account? Log in and Watch Here .
To watch a UK race streamed on At The Races you must have a funded account or have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. To watch any other UK racing not provided by At The Races, place a qualifying bet of at least £0.50 win or £0.25 each-way (or currency equivalent). Click to see extended terms
Watch EVERY race in the UK and Ireland live at bet365. We stream all races shown on At The Races and Racing TV so you’ll never miss a second of the action! To watch a UK race streamed on At The Races you must have a funded account or have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. To watch any other UK racing not provided by At The Races, place a qualifying bet of at least £0.50 win or £0.25 each-way (or currency equivalent). Replays of all UK and Irish races covered by Racing TV and At The Races are available for free in the Horse Racing Archive. #Ad. 18+ Only. Gamble Responsibly. T&Cs Apply

Horse racing betting tips: Meg Nicholls’ Blog Handicap Chase tips

🔑 Unlock your Horse Racing Premium Tips — exclusive picks & results inside.
Unlock Now
  • Excelero has won three of his last four completed starts, showing a clear upward trend.
  • Ciaran Gethings enters this race with a superb 38% strike rate over the last fortnight.
  • David’s Well and Excelero share an impressive 75% win rate over fences, highlighting the depth of today’s contest.

Cheltenham 2:25 – Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog Handicap Chase — bet365 Market Snapshot

Illustrative probabilities and sample bet365-style odds for the Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog Handicap Chase at Cheltenham (2:25), built from the current win market and key form indicators.

Cheltenham handicap chase race icon
Cheltenham 2:25 Handicap Chase
Main Market • Win Only
Cheltenham 2:25 – David’s Well Favoured, Excelero a Live Danger

Win-and-each-way prices have David’s Well heading the market, but progressive rival Excelero is attracting interest at a bigger price, with the remainder of the field making up more than half of the book.

David’s Well
29%
bet365 3.50
Excelero
13%
bet365 8.00
Rest of Field
58%
bet365 1.72
Win Market • Contenders
How the Market Prices the Main Players

Implied percentages are derived from current odds for the Cheltenham 2:25, highlighting how tightly grouped the leading chasers are behind David’s Well at the head of the betting.

David’s Well
29% bet365 3.50
JPR One
22% bet365 4.50
Country Mile
17% bet365 6.00
Excelero
13% bet365 8.00
Triple Trade
11% bet365 9.00
Trainer & Jockey Angles
Connections in Form for Cheltenham 2:25

Recent strike-rates for key yards and riders frame how well the main contenders’ teams are operating coming into this valuable 2m½f handicap chase at Cheltenham.

Ciaran Gethings L14 SR
38% bet365 2.63
Chris Gordon L14 SR
33% bet365 3.00
Jane Williams L14 SR
25% bet365 4.00
Horse Profiles
Going Records and Course Pointers

The leading principals all have solid form either under similar conditions or at Cheltenham itself, which helps explain why the market is so tightly bunched behind the favourite.

David’s Well on going
75% bet365 1.33
Excelero on going
75% bet365 1.33
Country Mile course
50% bet365 2.00
Swipe left or right to browse markets. Odds are subject to change and may differ from live bet365 prices.

This 2m½f Class 2 chase has attracted a field that blends potential with proven ability. Horses such as David’s Well and Excelero carry upward trajectories into today’s assignment, while more exposed rivals like Triple Trade, Gunsight Ridge and JPR One contribute depth and complexity to the shape of the race.

Market View: Implied Winning Chances

Win prices for the Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog Handicap Chase at Cheltenham (2:25) translate into clear but not overwhelming favouritism for David’s Well, with Excelero positioned as the main value alternative.

David’s Well
Market favourite
29%
Approximate implied chance of winning the Cheltenham 2:25

Odds around 5/2 suggest the market expects David’s Well to go very close again, reflecting his unbeaten sequence over fences and the strength of his latest Haydock success.

Excelero
Best bet angle
13%
Approximate implied chance based on a 7/1 quote

A double-figure implied chance gives Excelero scope to out-run his price, especially for punters who are persuaded by his Warwick dominance and overall 3-from-4 recent strike-rate.

Chase Profiles: Recent Win Strikes

Both David’s Well and Excelero arrive here as progressive types, but their paths into this Cheltenham handicap have been slightly different in terms of experience and the way they have been campaigned.

David’s Well
Unbeaten chaser
3/3
Wins from chase starts to date

Stepping into fences transformed David’s Well, who has put together three smooth victories, including a taking Haydock return where he travelled strongly and jumped with assurance throughout.

Excelero
On the up
3/4
Wins from last four completed starts

Excelero has compiled three wins in his last four outings, most recently powering clear at Warwick, suggesting he is still improving and ready for this step into a stronger handicap.

Connections in Form: Trainers and Jockeys

Recent strike-rates for the key riders and yards add another layer to the Cheltenham 2:25 picture, with both David’s Well and Excelero backed up by teams operating at healthy percentages.

Ciaran Gethings
In red-hot form
38%
Strike-rate over the last 14 days (6 wins from 16 rides)

Excelero’s rider has been making the most of his opportunities, and that sharp recent record underlines why market watchers expect him to be positive again around Cheltenham’s new course.

Chris Gordon
Stable firing
33%
Trainer strike-rate in the last 14 days (3 wins from 9 runners)

David’s Well represents a yard enjoying an excellent spell, with Gordon already matching last season’s winner tally and sending his chaser here to continue an unbeaten sequence over fences.

With both trainers and jockeys bringing varied recent form—Ciaran Gethings notably operating at a sharp 38% strike rate in the last fortnight—the meeting takes on a dynamic layer of intrigue.

Why betting with bet365?
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
Claim Offer
Fast, Flexible Payments Weekly Super Boosts Custom Bet Builder Top-Rated Mobile App Early Payout & Sub-On Live Streaming & In-Play
Open Account Offer – New Customers only. Bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets when you join bet365. Sign up, deposit between £5 and £10 to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value settle. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs , time limits & exclusions apply. Registration Required. #Ad. 18+ Only, gambleaware.org

Supporters can expect a lively tactical battle, fuelled by strong pace angles and horses who are familiar with the demands of this course.

Free Bet Offers
Swipe to see more →
William Hill

William Hill

£30 Free Bets

Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets

Show Terms & Conditions
18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (including Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #Ad. 18+ Only, gambleaware.org. Terms and Conditions
BetMGM

BetMGM

£40 Free Bets

Bet £10 Get £40 In Free Bets

Show Terms & Conditions
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 × £10 Free Bets: 1 × £10 football, 1 × £10 horse racing & 2 × £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply. #Ad. 18+ Only, gambleaware.org. Terms and Conditions
bet365

bet365

£30 Free Bets

Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets

Open Account Offer - New Customers only. Bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets when you join bet365. Sign up, deposit between £5 and £10 to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value settle. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply. Registration Required. #Ad. 18+ Only, gambleaware.org.
Betfred

Betfred

£30 Free Bets

Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets

Show Terms & Conditions
New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 × £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 × £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs apply. #Ad. 18+ Only, gambleaware.org. Terms and Conditions
10bet

10bet

£50 Welcome

100% Up To £50 On First Deposit

Show Terms & Conditions
New bettors. Select bonus at signup or use code SPORT. Wager deposit & bonus 8×. Max qualifying bet = bonus. Valid 60 days. Odds, bet & payment limits apply. T&Cs Apply; 18+ | Please gamble responsibly. #Ad. 18+ Only, gambleaware.org. Terms and Conditions
#Ad · 18+ Only · Please gamble responsibly · BeGambleAware.org

Best Bet for Cheltenham 2:25 – (Saturday 13th December)

At BettingTips4You we stand firmly by our philosophy of offering only one prediction per event. We believe that narrowing the field to a single, fully-justified selection ensures clarity for readers and creates complete accountability when evaluating long-term profitability. For today’s feature race at Cheltenham, our confidence centres on…

Excelero, who brings a compelling profile into this contest and appears primed to deliver another strong effort.

Why Excelero Is Today’s Best Bet

Excelero arrives as a lightly-campaigned but notably progressive chaser whose formline points to a horse still discovering his ceiling. His most recent performance at Warwick, where he cruised home by nearly ten lengths, offered a clear indication that he is flourishing at this stage of his career. What particularly stood out in that display was the authority with which he travelled through the contest, responding fluently to Ciaran Gethings—who himself is thriving with an exceptional 38% strike rate across the last fourteen days. That synergy between horse and rider should not be underestimated heading into a field where tactical judgement and pace management are likely to prove decisive.

Excelero’s record shows three wins from his last four outings, underscoring his reliability when conditions align. His ability to handle softer ground is supported by victories on similar surfaces, and the nature of today’s trip looks ideally pitched given his blend of nimbleness and stamina. While the likes of David’s Well boast an impressive unbeaten streak over fences, Excelero brings a balance of recent sharpness, course familiarity and race-hardening that suggests he may have more immediate upside at this stage of the season. With Jane Williams operating efficiently in recent weeks and the horse displaying steady improvement in his timefigures, everything points toward another peak effort today.


Enhance your betting game with our daily free betting tips, predictions, and accumulators.

For more betting tips and news, check out:

Don’t forget to visit our Free Bets page for the best possible value as well as our Predictions.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter For Exclusive Tips

Want to have exclusive tips from experts tipsters delivered right into your inbox? Subscribe Now To Our Newsletter. We will never spam, we fully respect your privacy!

Selected Bookmakers Offers

Demo Image
Bet £10 Get £40 In Free Bets
New cust. Deposit £10+ in 7 days & bet on sports. Min odds apply. Reward = 4 x £10 Free Bets (2 x £10 Bet Builders & 2 x £10 Sports bet). Valid 7 days. Free bets not valid on e-sports & non UK/IE horse racing. 18+. T&Cs apply.
Demo Image
Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets
Open Account Offer - New Customers only. Bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets when you join bet365. Sign up, deposit between £5 and £10 to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value settle. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs , time limits & exclusions apply. Registration Required. #Ad. 18+ Only, gambleaware.org
Demo Image
Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets
18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org
Demo Image
Bet £10 Get £50 In Free Bets
New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply.
Demo Image
Bet £10 Get £30 In Bonuses
New cust only. Opt-in required. Deposit & place a bet within 7 days and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater to be credited with 3 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 football. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply. Acca Club: Available to new & existing customers. 3 or more selections. Min Odds: 3/10 (1.3) per leg. Max stake: £500. Max Winnings: £200,000 per boost. Profit Boost amounts vary. Horse Racing, Greyhounds & Trotting excluded. Exclusions apply. Full T&C’s apply. 18+ GambleAware.org.
Demo Image
Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets
New members only. £10+ bet on sports (ex. Virtuals) 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days; £20 use on sportsbook, £10 on Bet Builder. Stake not returned. T&Cs.+ deposit exclusions apply #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org
Demo Image
100% up to £50 on first deposit
New bettors. Select bonus at signup or use code SPORT. Wager deposit & bonus 8x. Max qualifying bet = bonus. Valid 60 days. Odds, bet & payment limits apply. T&Cs Apply; 18+ | Please gamble responsibly #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org
Demo Image
Best Odds & Offers
New customers only, 18+. Min deposit £10. Place a £50 bet on any sport at 2.0+ to qualify for £25 in free bets and 10 Free Spins. Free Bets and Spins valid 7 days. £0.10 Free Spins. T&Cs apply. Please bet responsibly. #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org
Demo Image
Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets
New members only. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals), placed & settled at 1.5 min odds in 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days, use on sportsbook only (ex. virtuals), stakes not returned. T&Cs Apply and deposit exclusions apply. Please gamble responsibly #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org
Demo Image
Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets
18+ New customers only. Opt in, and bet £10 on football markets (odds 2.00+). No cash out. Get 6x£5 football free bets at specified odds for set markets, which expire after 7 days. Offer valid from 12:00 UK Time on 25/08/2023. Card payments only. T&Cs Apply | gambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org
Previous articleHorse Racing Tips: December Gold Cup preview, predictions and best bets for Cheltenham
Next articleLeicester City vs Ipswich Town Predictions