CHELTENHAM NH NOVEMBER MEETING - FRIDAY 13th NOVEMBER

The three day Cheltenham November Meeting commences this Friday featuring Countryside Day, a tradition dating back over two decades where money is raised for the Countryside Alliance and Racing Welfare causes.

Sadly the usual countryside / non racing events along with all the usual entertainment are cancelled this year and it's just the horse-racing we will focus on this weekend. Today's card featuring six excellent races, including The Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Handicap Chase [1:50] as well as The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase [3:00] this race won last year by Easysland who beat the Grand National hero Tiger Roll by 17L.

Even though this meeting will be behind closed doors it's the kick off for the NH season with the first BIG meeting now that the turf flat season has closed till spring.

Surface: Turf

Going:  Good, Good to Soft in places

1:15  The Markel Insurance Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle Race
Qualifier for The Challenger Staying Hurdle Series Final

2m 5f  (Class 3) [18 runners]

A very open hurdle race to begin the meeting with plenty of decent conditional jockey's here beginning with Daniel Samson who rides PLAYA BLANCA a multiple winner and races off same mark as his recent runner up effort at Newbury. David Pipe sends INDUNO here for his first run of the year and could be well handicapped with only four runs prior to this while Nicky Henderson must have a good chance with his STEAL A MARCH [3rd 8/1] in the colours of HM The Queen.

Result - (10) Castle Robin @13/2 [Paul O'Brien].

1:50  The Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Handicap Chase

2m (Class 2)  [9 runners]
The race here last month in which BEAT THE JUDGE finished 3rd in was a decent contest and winner is highly respected, Gary Moore's 5yo also had ON THE SLOPES back in 5th and while that pair will be closely matched once again here it's the former that we would select first. Although it's a leap in class I figure that the outsider AZZURI could be worth a look at a big price here if allowed to lead, might be able to make a place staying on at the finish. 

Result - (1) Magic Saint @10/3 [Bryan Carver].

2:25  The SSS Novices’ Steeple Chase

2m 4f 44y  (Class 2)  [4 runners]
Select field of four here for the Novice Chase headed by Paul Nicholls recent course winner SOUTHFIELD STONE [NAP] who may well be able to out jump his rivals again and give away the 3lb to the likes of PROTEKTORAT (D Skelton) and MOSSY FEN the latter is the least experienced of these having only had one chase run and will need to improve to beat the front pair. PAINT THE DREAM completes the quartet but has about 10lb to find here but with prize money for all he'll not go home empty handed.

Result - (2) Protektorat @6/5f [Harry Skelton].

3:00  The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeplechase

3m 6f 37y (Class 2) [9 runners]

Won last year by Easysland (above) beating off the dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll, will be a test of stamina over this unique course configuration. The both reappear here today and should be a fascinating clash of two top cross country chasers. A race to watch for me though POTTERS CORNER [3rd 17/2] could be one to have a place bet in here, the main focus will be on the front two in the betting and can Tiger Roll plot out a route that leads to another Grand National attempt.

Result - (9) Kingswell Theatre @22/1 [Tom Scudamore].

3:35  The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 2)

2m 5f (Grade 2)  [7 runners]
Just the seven for this novice event, so we will focus on two against the field for the win, begin with the 6yo GRAND MOGUL a likely type to improve with experience for Nicky Henderson together with the 5yo mare WILD ROMANCE [2nd 10/1] who is just learning this game but won her debut race well and should continue to improve for the Dan Skelton yard.

Result - (1) Does He Know @11/8 [David Bass].

4:05  The Valda Energy Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Race

2m 87y (Class 3)  [17 runners]

We end the first day with a big field handicap hurdle, where THE BEES KNEES has already won a couple of races for us and with this his sixth career start could still have plenty more to offer. PANIC ATTACK won a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter and could also have any amount of improvement for trainer David Pipe, one to keep an eye on, while support for CHASAMAX for Nicky Henderson would also be worth noting.

Result - .

Updates for Saturday and Sunday will follow soon, and we should also have the results here too, enjoy the meeting.