'Revelation over fences' - Three potential stars on show this weekend It’s not the greatest of weekends for star power, but there’s lots of thoroughly competitive racing on offer, which presents some opportunities for some to establish themselves as potential stars. Cheltenham’s December meeting is undoubtedly the best racing on offer across the next few days and there are definitely some horses to watch. With that in mind, we’re going to take a look at three of the most significant runners across the weekend. We’ve got a 162-rated chaser making his reappearance and a potential Ryanair contender. L’Homme Presse - 1.50 Cheltenham (Friday) Venetia Williams is one of the most underrated National Hunt trainers in Britain and regularly punches above her weight in the top races throughout the season. L’Homme Presse and Royale Pagaille have been her leading lights in recent seasons and the former is set to reappear at Cheltenham on Friday. He won the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022 and has been a consistent performer at the top level since. The son of Diamond Boy had every chance before unseating Charlie Deutsch in the King George back in 2022. Third after a lengthy absence in the same race last year, the 10-year-old has retained a high level of ability. His finest hour last season came in the Cotswold Chase here and he saw the trip out very well to get the better of Stage Star. Williams’ gelding is giving away loads of weight here but he’s a class act and it would be dangerous to rule out a big run. Jagwar - 1.50 Cheltenham (Saturday) Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero train this very progressive chaser, who was a revelation over fences last season. The JP McManus-owned gelding won a couple of races at small tracks, before finishing third behind a subsequent Grade 2 winner at Uttoxeter. He returned to winning ways with a convincing victory over stablemate Billytherealbigred over course and distance on trials’ day. From that point on he was well fancied for several Cheltenham Festival handicaps and connections went for the TrustATrader Plate. Victory was on the cards once again and he was very impressive, winning with plenty in hand. The handicapper has put him up 9lb since, but that might not be enough to stop him, especially if he continues on an upward curve. Connections are considering a Ryanair Chase bid if all goes to plan and if he’s a Grade 1 horse, winning this off a mark of 148 shouldn’t be beyond him. Conman John - 3.00 Cheltenham (Saturday) Prominent in the betting for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle in March, the Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore-trained Conman John goes up in class to contest this Grade 2 contest. It’s an all British affair here, perhaps surprisingly, and he’s the one to beat. Conman John won an Irish point at Damma House by 20 lengths back in November 2024 and was subsequently purchased for £170,000. Second in a Newcastle bumper on his first start under rules, he then went over to Punchestown and finished fifth in a competitive race. Staying trips over hurdles have seen him to best effect, however, and he followed up a narrow success at Kelso with an impressive performance on the old course here in October. The second and fifth have both boosted the form by winning since. Victory here would rubber stamp his ticket for the Cheltenham Festival and the strong staying five-year-old is firmly on the upgrade.
