The Cheltenham November Meeting 2024 gets underway on Friday, 15 November with two Grade 2 contests. Prestbury Park hosts the Shloer Chase and return of Jonbon, plus an early Albert Bartlett Trial in the Hyde Novices’ Hurdle.
Elsewhere on the card, the Cross Country Handicap Chase sees Conflated tackle the banks for the first time off topweight. There is also a Listed novice chase for stayers with quality over quantity.
Bigger fields top and tail the card in conditional jockeys’ and novice handicap hurdles. That is where punters must look for value on horse racing betting sites with the feature contests attracting fewer runners during this dry autumn.
As ever, we’ve called in the experts for their assessment and analysis of the action taking place at the home of jumps reason. They mark your card for Friday’s action here:
Cheltenham November Meeting 2024 Day 1 Preview
1:10 – 2m 5f Class 3 Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (0-125)
DOUBLE POWERFUL is 4lb well-in despite his own similar penalty, however, and just keeps on winning. One of two in the race for Neil Mulholland, this five-year-old has picked up where he left off in the spring with a hat-trick of wins this autumn. Dylan Johnston gets on well with Double Powerful and a six-timer could well beckon.
Plenty of others have claims. Pipe’s other runner Phantomofthepoints should appreciate this longer trip on breeding, while Fergal O’Brien inmate Plaisir Des Flos is another in-form horse after five wins this calendar year. Il Va De Soi seeks a hat-trick for Harry Derham and jockey Alice Stevens, meanwhile.
Lower down the weights, although there’s been no recent winner rated below 114, the likes of Irish raider Billy Lee Swagger, Jonjo O’Neill runner Stay If U Want To and Rebel Intentions could all go well. April Meeting second Whatsupwithou is also worth a mention with 10lb claimer Callum Pritchard booked to ease a welter burden.
1:45 – Listed 3m 110y Paddy Power Novices’ Chase
Course and distance winner Hyland gets 2lb from the selection, but concedes 3lb to the other two. Nicky Henderson’s charge routed his rivals during The Showcase, but the Cheltenham November Meeting demands more of him. The tailed off fifth has won since, but it’s not the same level of form.
Resplendent Grey has something to find on hurdles form with Springwell Bay off worse terms. Olly Murphy’s runner could make up into an even better chaser, but needs to improve.
Similar comments apply to Buddy One, who won over hurdles here 12 months ago. He tops official ratings, but that is down to his Stayers’ Hurdle fourth than anything achieved over fences.
2:20 – 1m 7f 199y Grade 2 Shloer Chase
Jonbon has the beating of old rival Edwardstone, rising 11, and the pair concede 2lb for Harry Fry runner Boothill and Dan Skelton’s Grand Annual hero Unexpected Party. The latter turns out quickly just four days after his last run. Granted a clear round, this is Jonbon’s to lose.
2:55 – 3m 5f 56y Class 2 Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase
FAMEAFTERTHE GLORY has a number of placed efforts over the banks; so, despite being out of the weights, can go well at bigger odds. Gavin Cromwell’s charge chased home stable companion Stumptown at Punchestown in the spring and has taken well to this sphere.
If not Fameaftertheglory, then French raider Sweet David chased home useful Cross Country horse Roi Mage on his side of the Channel this autumn. A five-year-old is very young for the discipline, but Gabriel Leenders’ runner was an unlucky loser the last day. Most of the others must prove they handle the different obstacles.
3:30 – 2m 5f Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Trial Hyde Novices’ Hurdle
Adrian Keatley’s mare steps up in trip after previously scoring twice over two-and-a-half miles. This greater stamina test could well suit Gale Mahler, who also gets weight from Potters Charm. Trained locally by Nigel Twiston-Davies, he seeks a hurdles hat-trick on the upgrade following his Showcase success under a penalty.
The others, headed by Chepstow scorer Rockstown Girl, again over from Ireland, must improve on all-known form to have a say in the finish. Rounding out the field of six are Wetherby fifth Grandad’s Cap and hurdling debutant Wildfell.
4:00 – 2m 87y Class 3 Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (0-125)
The assessor nudging him up 2lb for falling two out isn’t that harsh. Wreckless Eric came on for his reappearance when with Ben Pauling last term and may well do so again. Letterston Lily didn’t scream dropping back in trip was the answer with a far from fluent round of jumping when fourth over further here last time out.
Ascot winner Clap Of Thunder could continue his progress, however, for Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies at his local track. Golden Maverick lacks a recent run, but has some good back form on the Flat like Fasol. Jamie Snowden’s charge could go well each-way, alongside Irish raider Bright Legend, who has a 7lb claimer booked to ease topweight.
