CHELTENHAM NH NOVEMBER MEETING - FRIDAY 12th NOVEMBER 2021

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

Countryside Day launches the November Meeting in true Cheltenham style on Friday 12th November. Featuring six excellent races, including The Paddy Power Handicap Chase, which was won by Magic Saint last season, and The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase, where Kingswell Theatre caused an upset over the favourites twelve months ago, it's a day that is jam-packed with top class jump racing.

Off the track, there is an array of exciting Countryside Day Entertainment including a special appearance from Kaleb Cooper from Amazon Prime video's 'Clarkson's Farm' who will be attending a Q&A in the Parade Ring at 11.45am and much more. The Hipcats will be roaming around the Club/Tatts enclosure entertaining you with their jazz music. Make sure you head to the village where The Lucky 15's will be playing in between races.

After racing, we will see the return of the Tattersalls Cheltenham November Sale who provides clients the opportunity to purchase quality English and Irish point to pointers and National Hunt Form Horses. The sale is attached to racing and takes place after the last race.

It's time for the NH season to really start firing with another big meeting at the home of NH racing, now that the turf flat season has closed till next spring let's focus on the jumpers.

Surface: Turf

Going:  Good [Good to soft in places] 

Cross Country: Good.

1:10  The Markel Insurance Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle Race
Qualifier for The Challenger Staying Hurdle Series Final

2m 5f  (Class 3) [20 runners]

Huge field to kick us off with, 20 runners declared to jump off here, headed by Henry Daly's The Wrekin who was a three time hurdle winner already this year and has a decent conditional jockey in Ben Godfrey on board. While winner of his last five runs An Tailliur represents Jonjo O'Neill and his improvement might not have come to an end yet, only 2lb higher here for that latest success. Plenty in with chances and I'd have a place wager on Art Approval (WON @10/3) a good run at this track last time when finishing fourth, has couple of wins prior to that.
Winner - (14) Art Approval @10/3 [Peter Kavanagh].

1:45  The Paddy Power Handicap Chase

1m 7f 199y (Class 2)  [9 runners]
Nine runners headed by Paul Nicholls' Magic Saint a course winner but has to lump 12st 1lb around here, however was the winner of this last year with a similar weight and Angus Cheleda takes off a useful 5lb. Moon Over Germany is the only one I'd rule out entirely, clearly not in form and the 10yo needs either a break from chasing, or a change of scenery. I'll have Kap Auteuil and Bathiva against the field here to make use of their decent weight received from the others. 
Winner - (5) Editeur De Gite @4/1 [N F Houlihan].

2:20  November Novices' Chase

2m 4f 44y  (Class 2)  [2 runners]
A disappointing field of just three at the declaration stage, two come over from Ireland, Fancy Foundations (Gordon Elliott) N/R won his first two chases and then fell three out at Tipperary, could still have a say but the outsider in the betting - now showing as a non runner we are down to a field of two. Next is the 5yo mare Gin On Lime [WON @7/4] (Henry de Bromhead) has plenty of chase experience and was the winner of the Tipperary race mentioned above, has a 7lb weight allowance over Fancy Foundations and will also benefit from Rachael Blackmore in the saddle. The home challenge rests with My Drogo, looks a short odds on favourite for this which can only be on home work and stable reputation as this will be his chase debut. Although an excellent novice hurdler and clear winner of his final start at Aintree I'd rather take a chance on the Irish horse than a short price about the fav.
Winner - (2) Gin On Lime @7/4  [Rachael Blackmore].

2:55  The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeplechase

3m 6f 37y (Class 2) [13 runners]

Won last year by Kingswell Theatre (pictured above) beating off a quality field that included the dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll (pulled up that day), and previous winner Easyland too, who was an odds on fav finishing fourth. Will be a test of stamina over this unique course configuration. As far as I can see there isn't anything of that calibre in the thirteen declared here. The Irish trainers have excelled over this unique course and could have the answer again with Balko Des Flos the 10yo is well clear of the others on ratings and ought to enjoy this, second in the Grand National and although unseated Rachael Blackmore here at the Festival still looks the one to be following. Potters Corner has at least been round here before and ought to complete in his own time, while Back On The Lash is trying something new. As an outsider to consider looking at Singing Banjo who has experience in Ireland over the banks at Punchestown and at 20/1+ could be of interest. >> 2nd @20/1
Winner - (6) Back On The Lash @4/1  [S Bowen].

3:30  The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
(formally known as The Hyde Novices Hurdle)

2m 5f (Grade 2)  [6 runners]
A competitive looking grade two hurdle now where top one is Off Your Rocco (G Elliott) who has only tasted defeat once out of his five career runs to date, should be well prepared to give a good account today. The home challenge Kayf Hernando (D Skelton) one last time out at Carlisle and with a strong yard who surely wouldn't be sending this one here without showing something back at home. Glencassley remains unbeaten over hurdles with a victory at Wetherby when sent off 1/7F, sired by Yeats so you would expect that stamina isn't an issue for this further step up in trip.
Winner - (2) Blazing Khal @9/2  [D J McInerney].

4:00  Racing TV Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

2m 87y (Class 3)  [18 runners]

We end the first day with a big field handicap hurdle, twenty runners declared with plenty of previous winners and 7/1+ the field the most wide open contest of the day. A winner of both his starts since moving over from Ireland Howdyalikemenow (Evan Williams) is at least in good heart and can run well here also including Samba Dancer (Fergal O'Brien) won here last month at this level although that was a conditional jockeys event. One at a big price to consider is Kalyptra runner up at Wincanton and 25/1 here, lightly raced and while this is a step forward wouldn't surprise to see a decent run and a sneaking into the top four.
Winner - (12) Mc Alpine @33/1 [JP O'Sullivan].

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