The Cheltenham November Meeting is the biggest meeting at the course outside of the festival and my own personal highlight of the early jumps season.
I think it’s a great blend of top-quality racing, with plenty of races in there designed to give you pointers towards the rest of the season.
Here’s a look at all three days of the November Meeting, with bets included across the day.
Friday November 14
The first day has a different look this year. We’ve got the Shloer Chase taking place, plus there’s no cross-country race, which has been cancelled due to the ground, leaving six races.
The second race on the card, at 1:45 pm, is a veterans chase, and I think Lord Baddesley has a great chance of going well here.
A winner last week, he’s got a 7lb penalty, but when you look back 12 months, he’s still on a workable mark, and now in veteran’s company, is running at a lower level.
His front-running style is great to watch, and he could have been in plenty of trouble.
Wade Out looks to have an excellent chance in the novice chase at 2:20 pm, a horse who won chasing debut despite it being over a trip nowhere near long enough.
This time, he’s up to 3m1f, and I think we’re going to see a completely different horse thanks to that. He’s got the potential to be very good over fences, and I think we’ll see that here.
Jonbon catches the eye in the 2:55 pm, winner of the 2024 Shloer Chase, he also took the race in 2023 and comes here bidding for his hat trick.
But is this really the time to back him at odds on? First time up for the season, and with a load of rain forecast for Friday throughout the day?
Instead, I think the value lies with Libberty Hunter, a horse that will relish any rain we get, and was coming into contention when falling in the Champion Chase in March, when last seen.
I’d have preferred him coming here with a run under his belt, but he’s got a great course record, and might just be able to cause an upset.
The last looks wide open, and who knows how bad the ground will be at this point, but Shade Of Winter catches the eye each way. Yet to win, but open to plenty of progress, he was second on heavy in a point to point, and has run on softer ground under rules. Harry Cobden is booked to ride.
Friday Tips
- 1:45 pm – Lord Baddesley
- 2:20 pm – Wade Out
- 2:55 pm – Libberty Hunter
- 4:00 pm – Shade Of Winter (EW)
Saturday November 15
Known as Gold Cup Day with the Paddy Power Gold Cup at the centre of the meeting, an excellent day’s racing awaits on Saturday.
To begin with, the 1:10 pm, a horse I backed last time here, I’m giving one last chance to Ideal Des Bordes for Nicky Henderson. He’s a talented horse, better than his mark, received praise before the start of the season and has the ability to compete in some good staying chase races.
But he completely bombed out three weeks ago when he reappeared, for no real reason. I’m hoping it was due to his first run, and he’ll strip fitter here, at double figures in the betting, he’s getting one last chance.
In the Grade Two Arkle trial at 1:45 pm, Be Aware is my pick, winning on debut over fences last time out. I think there’s plenty more to come from the Skelton runner.
Not the most fluent at jumping, he’s got a great cruising speed and was making up plenty of ground in between fences. Of course, Cheltenham is known for catching horses out, so we need him to jump better, but I think he’s the class act in this race, and a very exciting prospect.
In the big race, the Paddy Power Gold Cup, I’m with the Skeltons again. I think this is the climax of a long-term plan with Panic Attack, who comes here on a tempting mark and can land the spoils.
I thought it was very interesting that she went back to hurdles after winning over fences in January, and I can only assume that was to keep her for a big one. She didn’t go to Cheltenham or Aintree, so this is her big day, back over fences, off 135, I think she has a massive chance.
Finally, in the 3:30 pm, a winner from the October meeting, and that’s French Ship, who is fancied to go well again here.
Up 8 lbs for that win, but it was a strong one. I’m not sure this race is too much tougher than that. Despite the rise, he can go close again for Team Hobbs and White.
Saturday Tips
- 1:10pm – Ideal Des Bordes (EW)
- 1:45 pm – Be Aware
- 2:20 pm – Panic Attack
- 3:30 pm – French Ship
Sunday November 16
At the time of writing, the full card for Carnival Sunday, as it’s now known, hadn’t been released, so I’m trading carefully.
First up at 2:55 pm, a long-distance chase, Tanganyika catches the eye, not just for this race but also for the future. Second in the Midlands Grand National last March, he’s a real slogger, the tougher the test the better for him, and the rain this weekend could play right into his strengths.
Don’t be surprised to see him out for the Welsh National, and maybe even the Grand National, as the season goes on.
In the Greatwood Hurdle, the day’s feature, Leloopa, right at the foot of the weights, could have a sneaky each-way chance.
It’s the biggest test she’s faced by a mile, but won nicely last time out, and still has some wiggle room in her handicap mark, I think.
Finally, in the bumper that closes the meeting at 4:00 pm, we backed Chicker to win at the October meeting and in my review, I said he could end up coming here. He does, and it should go well again.
Sunday Tips
- 2:55pm – Tanganyika
- 3:30 pm – Leloopa (EW)
- 4:00 pm – Chicker