Saturday ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Cheltenham and Wetherby – November 15, 2025
After spending the last three years working on what he called a ‘Guatemalan sugar farm’, Jeff Mexico has returned to Blighty to impart his years of horse racing betting experience on those looking to make a quick buck.
In this article, the Sports News Blitz horse racing oracle casts his net over Saturday’s meetings that are being shown on ITV – four from day two of the November Meeting at Cheltenham, which includes the Paddy Power Gold Cup, and two contests from Wetherby’s Peak Cap & Pearls Raceday.
So here he is, but please be mindful as he lost his meds having a ‘quick dip in the canal’ on Wednesday.
Jeff Mexico’s racing tips
Avast ye, thrill seekers, and welcome to the good ship ‘Jeff Mexico’s betting tips’.
Ok, it’s not a ship and I’m not planning on going near any water, but with my Cornish background I do tend to get a bit boaty.
Anyway, horses. Granted, not a thing Cornwall is famous for, but I like ‘em (when they win). Although not enough to travel to my nearest racecourses of Newton Abbot and Exeter. Can’t be doing with those Devon folk and their idiotic views on scones. It’s jam first, then cream!
The weather isn’t great either, so a Saturday afternoon in front of the telly lies ahead and we’ve got an interesting bag of goodies to get stuck into, with the poshos from Cheltenham serving up several races coated in Paddy Power sponsorship, while those backward folk in West Yorkshire have two alarmingly dull sounding races with not much prize money on offer.
I’ll attempt not to bore you rigid with long, wordy sentences about the tips. I’ll keep them short and sweet, without prattling on about this and that. It’ll be up to you whether you choose to back or lay my suggestions with the ammo I’ve given you.
Finally, I’ll also expose my profit and losses every weekend, so you can keep track of me.
Obviously, I’ll give you some old waffle when my tips don’t come in – blaming the jockey or the weather is usually a good place to start.
‘Ere goes then…
13:45, Cheltenham – Paddy Power Challenge Trophy Trial
Main tip: Be Aware
Thumbs up:
Winner last time out at Stratford by four lengths in late October, although this trip is up in class.
Dan Skelton and Harry Skelton combo. Have five winners this week.
High official rating of 142 suggests he has the class at Grade level and could dominate.
Thumbs down:
Hasn’t raced at Grade 2 level before and it might be a stretch too far.
Inconsistent form, including two eighth-place finishes at the end of the last season at a higher level than his win at Stratford.
Outside tip: Breaking Cover
Thumbs up:
Good form. The seven-year-old has won four of the last six and placed in the other two.
Distance isn’t a question mark.
Thumbs down:
Big jump in class which may expose his limitations. Also vulnerable to more seasoned rivals and 40/1 price clearly reflects that, but can’t resist a cheeky each-way nibble.
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14:20, Cheltenham – Paddy Power Gold Cup
Main tip: Jagwar
Thumbs up:
Handles Cheltenham well, winning his last two visits here in March and January.
Going for a hat-trick.
Lightly raced over fences.
Connections believe he’s improved physically since the start of the year.
Thumbs down:
Jumping can be a bit inconsistent.
Running off a break for his seasonal reappearance, so may not be race-hardened yet.
Carrying the most weight in the field and that could be a big factor.
Jockey Jonjo O’Neil isn’t in great form, with a 5% win over the last two weeks.
Outside tip: Es Perfecto
Thumbs up:
Has run well at Cheltenham before, placing twice in three runs.
The weather might be in the 10-year-old’s favour.
Thumbs down:
Very competitive handicap.
Age might make him more exposed compared to his younger rivals.
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14:55, Cheltenham – From The Horses Mouth Podcast Handicap Hurdle
Main tip: Supremely West
Thumbs up:
Placed in last two visits to Cheltenham. Last trip in October.
Proven over long distance, so stamina shouldn’t be an issue.
Wind surgery and a switch to the Skeltons over the summer might give the seven-year-old an extra boost.
Thumbs down:
Several dangers in a 10-strong field who could be better suited to conditions.
Not always the fastest finisher.
Outside tip: Londonofficecallin
Thumbs up:
Won two of last four.
Has won over long, staying trips.
Thumbs down:
Inexperience at this class/trip.
Lacks consistent form in big-field and was 15th of 16 last time out.
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15:10, Wetherby – Boyle Sports Introductory Hurdle
Main tip: Cueros
Thumbs up:
Won by 14 lengths over this distance last time out in October at Newcastle on hurdle debut.
Patrick Mullins on board and has swerved Cheltenham for the trip to West Yorkshire instead.
Thumbs down:
Step up in class.
Outside tip: Minstrel Knight
Thumbs up:
Won two Flat handicaps last autumn on soft/heavy ground.
Decent stayer on the Flat.
Jockey Brian Hughes has placed in seven of last eight races, winning one.
Thumbs down:
Hurdles debut.
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15:30, Cheltenham – Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle
Main tip: Royal Infantry
Thumbs up:
Shown improvement since recent wind surgery, with solid third in last outing at Chepstow in October.
Stays the distance.
Skeltons again. Putting a lot of faith in them today, aren’t I?
Thumbs down:
Carrying a lot of weight.
Finished eighth on his last visit to Cheltenham at the 2024 Festival.
Outside tip: Kap Boy
Thumbs up:
Good form this year, 421, all on soft/heavy ground.
7L winner in lower class last time out at Perth in October.
Sean Bowen in the saddle.
Thumbs down:
Step up in class.
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15:43, Wetherby – Boyle Sports Handicap Chase
Main tip: Issam
Thumbs up:
Unlucky to lose in last outing back in February.
Reliable jumper.
The softer the ground, the better.
Trainer in form.
Thumbs down:
Not raced in 275 days.
Outside tip: Primoz
Thumbs up:
Placed in both outings this season.
Won over this distance and class at Kelso in February.
Thumbs down:
I don’t like horses in cheekpieces, but that’s just me.
Good luck everyone, and remember – never gamble in your pants.
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