November Meeting: Cheltenham betting tips and predictions

While the National Hunt season has been cranking up a notch in recent weeks for most, the November Meeting at Cheltenham is where it really takes off. 

There might be no Grade One action at the track across the three-day meeting, however that doesn’t mean there is a lack of quality on show. 

The highlight is the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday, which over the years has been used as a springboard by horses on route to tasting Grade One glory. 

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And 24 hours later the focus switches to the smaller obstacles with the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle taking centre stage. 

However, the start of the meeting on Friday features arguably the classiest horse that will grace the track over the three days, that of the Nicky Henderson-trained Jonbon in the Grade Two Shloer Chase.

So while Storm Claudia might threaten to dampen spirits the talent that is set to take to the track should be more than enough to make it a meeting to savour. 

November Meeting Day One

Nicky Henderson is slowly starting to take the wraps of his exciting team for the campaign ahead, one of which Jonbon is once again expected to play a leading role. 

Although the nine-year-old saw victory in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase elude him once again it was far from a below par season for the JP McManus-owned gelding, who added a further three Grade One wins to his name. 

While the track might not be a happy hunting ground for the son of Walk In The Park in March, in November it has been his playground after winning the last two renewals of the Grade Two Shloer Chase, which he will now try and win for a record-breaking third time. 

There are plenty of fascinating contenders in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, which is the other Grade Two on the card. 

Top of the list is the John McConnell-trained Heads Up, who made a winning start over hurdles at Listowel, having previously finished second in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Festival in March.

FIRST.com top tip Double Powerful to win the Sun’s “Save Our Bets” Novices’ Chase @ 4/1 with Betfred

This looks a trappy contest on paper, and with the exception of Leave Of Absence, who is officially clear on ratings as there is little to choose between the rest on figures. 

There was plenty to like about Double Powerful's debut over fences in a two and a half mile novices handicap chase at the track last month. 

On that occasion he was only just nabbed late on for second, however he shaped then as if he would appreciate going back up in trip, which connections have opted to do here. 

Although plenty of rain is expected to hit the track the Neil Mulholland-trained six-year-old appears to be versatile regarding conditions having shown equally good form on heavy ground in the past. 

With that run under his belt, and having won at the meeting over hurdles last year, expect Double Powerful to take a step forward in the three miles and one furlong prize. 

Want more November Meeting tips? Check out Ted's Treble for Day One

Day One extra tips

Fountains Blenhein looks to be worth taking a chance with in a higher grade, judging by his wide margin victory on his debut over hurdles at Fontwell. 

While he has a way to match the exploits of his brother Fountains Windfall, the son of Passing Glance looks to have plenty of potential. 

He was far too keen for his own good in the Grade Two bumper at Aintree on his final start last season, however despite being keen again down at Fontwell on his hurdles debut he was not for stopping after bolting up by 34 lengths. 

This is an altogether different test and he will need to settle better, but if he does get in a good rhythm he could prove tough to pass late on. 

More tips: Ted's Treble for Day Two of the November Meeting

Fountains Blenhein each-way in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, three places, @ 12/1 with Betfred

French Emperor can keep up the bright start trainer Nicky Martin has made to the season.

The son of Clovis du Berlais made light work of an opening mark of 108 at Worcester, pitched into handicap company on good ground last time out. 

Following that success he was raised just five pounds by the handicapper, which could turn out to be lenient given the ease at which he won on his last start. 

Although conditions are likely to be more testing here the lightly raced five-year-old showed plenty of promise on soft ground on his hurdles debut at Lingfield last season which suggests he will have no problem with the rain forecasted to fall. 

French Emperor to win the Valda Energy Novices’ Handicap Hurdle @ 9/1 with Coral

November Meeting Day Two

All eyes will be focused on the traditionally competitive Paddy Power Gold Cup during day two of the meeting. 

This year’s renewal has attracted an interesting field of 15 which is headed by favourite, Jagwar, in the famous silks of leading owner JP McManus. 

After a great first season over fences, the six-year-old rounded off the campaign with victory in the TrustATrade Plate Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. 

Last year’s winner Il Ridoto is back for more and will bid to become to he first horse since Bradbury Star in 1993 and 1994 to win back-to-back renewals of the race. 

The race has not been a happy hunting ground for Irish-trained horses with the last horse to successfully win the race being Tranquil Sea in 2009 from the yard of Edward O’Grady, for whom the race is being run in memory of this year. 

Plenty of interesting types are on show in the Grade Two JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle, including smart French recruits Parchment and Precious Man. 

And in the Grade Two Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase last season’s Unibet Champion Hurdle runner-up Burdett Road will be seen over fences for the first time in public.

FIRST.com’s top tipPick: Panic Attack to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase @ 6/1 with Ladbrokes

Dan Skelton is often the man with a plan and he has had this race mapped out for Panic Attack for a considerable amount of time now. 

The nine-year-old dotted up on her first start over fences for Skelton at Windsor in January off a mark of 125, which she was raised 10lbs for, before finishing second back over hurdles at Warwick the following month. 

Although she has not been sighted since there is likely to be any issues regarding fitness with Skelton ensuring that no stone will have been left unturned at home for in a race he is so far yet to win. 

Given how she won that day at Windsor on soft ground an easing of the ground will aid her chances. And although a mark of 135 will ask a different question in a race of this nature she can successfully pass the test. 

Day Two Extra tips

Philip Hobbs and Johnson White appear to have a solid team on their hands this season and Kikijo can make his presence felt off a featherweight in the From The Horses Mouth Podcast Handicap Hurdle. 

The five-year-old mixed hurdles and fences with a varying degree of success last season. While his best form since joining Hobbs and White appears to have been over fences, having finished second in two starts over them last term, it was therefore interesting that they decided to start the Estejo gelding over hurdles at Aintree this term. 

Stepped up to an extended three miles at Aintree last month, Kikijo only tired late on to be beaten by three lengths on ground that was likely to have been quick enough for him. 

Having blown the cobwebs away that day, and with a return to a slower surface a plus, he looks open to further improvement with this being only his second start over three miles. 

Kikijo to win the From The Horses Mouth Podcast Handicap Hurdle @ 6/1 with Ladbrokes

Amateur jockey races can be absolute minefields, however Herakles Westwood looks to have a good chance of getting his career back on track under Finian Maguire. 

The Warren Greatrex-trained eight-year-old clearly didn’t see out the extended three miles seven furlongs at Punchestown nor the three and three quarter miles in the Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. 

However, dropped back to three miles and a furlong here looks to be a wise move, as does booking an experienced rider like Maguire, who can be worth a few pounds at the finish. 

His mark of 126 should be within reach, having looked good value for a higher rating when scoring off two pounds lower at Windsor, which points to a big run being expected. 

Herakles Westwood to win the Debenhams Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase at 6/1 with Betfred

November Meeting Day Three

A shift in the programme has seen the final day of the meeting have a little bit of its gloss taken away from it, however there are still some intriguing contenders on show. 

The Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle takes pride of place on the card, which while not appearing to have a potential Champion Hurdle winner lurking in there, looks as competitive as ever, with plenty of those in line for the race looking to still have big days ahead of them. 

Multiple Grade One winner Protektorat is the standout name in the Oddschecker Handicap Chase, where staying will be the name of the game. 

But the most interesting race could be the mallardjewellers.com Maiden Hurdle, where last year’s Betfred Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly will switch disciplines, which, if he takes to it, could mark him out as a novice to follow this season. 

FIRST.com’s top tip Mirabad to win the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle at 7/1 with Ladbrokes

Once again it is that man Dan Skelton that we turn to in the hope of landing a big pot, this time with stable newcomer Mirabad. 

Like Panic Attack this race has been ringfenced in the calendar for the six-year-old, who has joined Skelton from the Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole team. 

The gelding son of Gleneagles showed his liking for the track when running away with a handicap hurdle on the New course at the track in December. 

While he failed to figure on his only other start at Newbury last season there is reason to believe that he still has more to offer given his age. 

Although he can be prone to taking a keen hold if Harry Skelton can get him settled in front then he is likely to be a tough nut to crack. 

Day Three Extra tips

Beauport failed to figure in the Randox Grand National on his final start last season; however he can make his presence felt in a more suitable test here. 

Having won the Midlands Grand National in 2024, the Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies-trained gelding showed stamina is his forte when winning the Berkshire National at Ascot on his return to action last season. 

With Protektorat heading the weights it means that most in the race will be running from out of the weights, however Beauport will not be one of those. 

Beauport’s record fresh is good with the Califet gelding having won first time out in two of the past three seasons. 

With his stamina assured, and his ability to plough through mud should it become testing guaranteed, a big run is likely to be on the cards. 

Beauport to win the Oddschecker Handicap Chase - odds to follow

Jig’s Forge was set some stiff tasks after making a winning start for Ben Pauling over hurdles at Ffos Las, but he brings considerable potential over fences off a mark of 132. 

After finishing sixth on his Grade One debut in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival the son of Westerner could only finish seventh dropped to Listed company at Perth on his final start of the season.

However, that run can be forgiven with Pauling struggling with dust problems on his gallops throughout the spring. 

With that issue now addressed Jig’s Forge could well turn out to be ahead of his mark while the drop back to two and a half miles will present no problems either with it being the same trip he scored over last season. 

Jig’s Forge to win the Bottlegreen Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase - odds to follow

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Odds correct at the time of writing.