The three-day November Meeting starts on Friday at Cheltenham. All roads lead to the Festival in March, but the magic starts this weekend at the Home of Jumps Racing.
While this is a starting point for many on their road to the festival, the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Greatwood Hurdle are two of the most prestigious National Hunt handicaps of the season.
Cheltenham is all set for November (Pic – Cheltenham Racecourse on FB)
Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase has attracted a field of 17 runners, headed in the weights by 2024 Ryanair winner Protektorat. The Dan Skelton runner was second in this in 2021, and he is back for another crack, but concedes plenty of weight to the field.
Multiple champion trainer Paul Nicholls recorded a five-timer at Wincanton over the weekend, and he is well represented saddling Il Ridoto and Ginny’s Destiny.
Course and distance winner Ginny’s Destiny, brings Group 1 form having been second in the Turners at last season’s festival. Stable jockey and current champion Harry Cobden rides the eight-year-old in preference of his light-weight stablemate Il Ridoto who is not easily dismissed carrying only 9 stone, 13 lbs.
Irish raider Lets Go Champ is race fit having had two starts this season, and he ran a highly promising race for Henry de Bromhead in the Galway Plate last time out.
Sunday’s Unibet Greatwood Hurdle has a fine roll of honour including National Hunt champions Rooster Booster and Sizing Europe.
The unbeaten mare Dysart Enos heads the market for trainer Fergal O’Brien, and she looks well handicapped here of a mark of 131.
Burdett Road is another progressive sort to consider having won two from three over hurdles including a smart performance in the Juvenile Hurdle at this meeting last season. That was over course and distance, and he comes here race fit after finishing sixth to Kyprios in the Long-Distance Cup at Ascot last time out.
The highest rated runner over the three days is the Nicky Henderson trained Jonbon who takes on seven rivals in Friday’s Gr2 Shloer Chase (16h20).
Successful in this last season, the Walk In The Park gelding has won nine of his eleven starts chasing and looks to take this on his way to the Champion Chase in March.
Alan King’s Group 1 winner Edwardstone is his main opposition.
