Racing returns to the headquarters of jumps racing in the UK for the second time this season with the Countryside November meeting at Cheltenham. There is a full weekend with racing on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Double Powerful and Plaisir Des Flos head the market in the opener. Plaisir Des Flos was a comfortable winner last time out to bring up the five timer, and the handicapper may not have his mark right yet. Five timer, Double Powerful could also prove to be stronger than his mark suggests. Last years winner, American Sniper tops the weights at 12-2, however, only 1lb higher than that winning mark. He also beat Whatsupwithyou when giving 3lbs. Whatsupwithyou is a consistent performer over 2m5f and would be too high in the weights if not for Callum Pritchard taking 10lbs off. Il Va De Soi shapes like an improving 6yo, but both wins have come on soft ground, with the going declared as good. Tune In A Box has been successful in handicaps, landing a big field one at Punchestown, however, disappointing on re-appearance.
Verdict – Plaisir Des Flos
1:45 – 3m½f – Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Novices’ Chase (Listed Race)
Springwell Bay is up 5lbs for his success on chase debut at Chepstow. A winner over hurdles at this meeting last year and may benefit from a step up in trip again to 3m. Hyland was a winner at the October Cheltenham meet when going clear to win by 15 lengths over fences. A 2-2 record on the old course. Buddy One put on a good showing when 4th in the Stayers hurdle at the festival. That’s been followed by a chase win on debut before a 3rd of three over 2m7f Michael Hickey Memorial Chasebehind Corbetts Cross and Heart Wood. The best hurdler in the field but yet to translate this to fences. Resplendent Grey was beat 20 lengths by Springwell Bay at Cheltenham when receiving 4lbs. However, impressed at Uttoxeter on chase debut and may progress from a longer trip.
Verdict –Hyland
2:20 – 2m – Shloer Chase (Registered As The Cheltenham Chase) (Grade 2)
The top 2m chaser at the moment, Jonbon, makes his seasonal re-appearance in the Shloer which he won last year, beating Edwardstone by 9.5 lengths. The expectation is Nicky Henderson’s stable star will back up last years result with another comfortable victory. He is 9 from 11 over fences and was mightily impressive in his last outing when winning the Celebration Chase against the 2m chaser division number two, El Fabiolo. Edwardstone is a class act in this setting and is the clear second place in this race. An Arkle winner, his best chance of getting one back on his three defeats to Jonbon is a front running performance, where he showed his best winning at Newbury in February. Boothill, a novice Grade 2 winner however was well beaten by this field before. Fourth behind Jonbon and Edwardstone on last outing and falling the two races prior. Wind op since. Unexpected Party was an unexpected winner of the Grand Annual, and 2nd only four days ago. A much stiffer task today will likely be too much, un-likely to feature at the line.
Verdict – Jonbon
2:55 – 3m5½f – Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase
Conflated looks the best in the race. Top of the weights but ran some very respectable races last season against some strong opposition. Potential questions over jumping ability, and on the cross country course. Mister Coffey hasn’t won from 13 attempts over fences. A first outing in the cross country but at the foot of the weights. Tommie Beau is in top form and stays well with his front running tactics, has a very good chance at landing this. Dual Cross Country winner Back On The Lash has been way out of form for a while and would take an almighty effort to challenge in this. Busselton hasn’t been at his best of late, and makes Cross Country debut to try and step up performances. Slipway runs for the in-form Ben Pauling yard. 4-12 over fences and is another making their Cross Country debut hoping to regain top form.
Verdict – Tommie Beau
3:30 – 2m5f – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Registered As The Hyde Novices’ Hurdle) (Grade 2)
Potters Charm, Valgrand and Gale Mahler all head into this race in fine form. Potters Charm heads the market for his worthwhile win at the October meeting, when winning going away. Valgrand was also a mightily impressive winner at the October meet when smashing the unbeaten Gale Mahler by 17 lengths in a fantastic display having made all. Gale Mahler had won six before being beaten by Valgrand. Gale Mahler rallied hard to stay on for second and was let down by a fairly poor jumping display. A better showing over obstacles and of slight interest now stepped back up in trip.
Verdict – Valgrand
4:00 – 2m½f – Valda Energy Novices’ Handicap Hurdle
An open handicap hurdle with a handful coming into this with good form. Balhambar and Fasol head the market with Balhambar returning on the flat in a nice showing. Been progressive since switching to trainer Harry Derham, however, may prefer a sharper track. Fasol is an unexposed hurdler coming from the flat as a stayer. Interesting to be so short in the market with a 4th and 2nd from both hurdles starts. Letterson Lilly’s four length defeat to Gale Mahler looks good value if able to produce a run to that standard. Good ground should suit and should be in the mix, having placed in two competitive handicaps over 2m4f. Clap Of Thunder runs for the Twiston-Davies duo. This 4yo has twice gone over hurdles, winning on latest as short priced favourite over 1m7f. Up in trip but won easily, despite coming under challenge, to finish clear. Golden Maverick took to his maiden season of jumping impressively. Despite some green running at the start the former flat stayer picked up two wins and three places from his five starts. Owned by RaceShare, and trained by Jamie Snowden Golden Maverick runs for the first time not as favourite. The good ground should suit coming from the flat and is tipped by the yard to step up in trip later this season. Showed determination when staying on strongly, especially at Musselburgh. 4lbs better off from last time outs second, where it looked a tired run.
Verdict – Clap Of Thunder E/W, Golden Maverick E/W
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