We deduced last month that the October meeting had an incredibly poor record of producing Cheltenham Festival winners, but as the ground begins to turn and the action ramps up a gear, the November meeting has a better history of conjuring up Festival victors.
In the last 10 years, the likes of Defi Du Seuil, The Real Whacker, Put The Kettle On and The Shunter have all won races at the November meeting before going on to win in March. Many have failed to land the double, but plenty have been noble in defeat, and I expect we’ll see many runners this weekend bid to make a successful return in March.
Friday
The opener on Friday sees Glancing Jack make his debut for Dan Skelton and Jimmy Fyffe, who had notable success last season with Supremely West landing the Pertemps. Glancing Jack is only rated 122, but he was last seen finishing a staying-on three-length second to Storming George at Newbury.
The winner is rated 144 now after Grade 1 success, so Glancing Jack is evidently well handicapped, and I suspect the plan will be to try to win well here before minding his mark for a Festival handicap, perhaps the Martin Pipe.
The Listed three-mile chase has seen several of its runners go on to March, and Derryhassen Paddy looks to be working back to the scene of his Albert Bartlett third. He made a pleasing reappearance at the October meeting, staying on well. This will be his third chase start, and I hope connections mind his mark for a National Hunt Chase.
Ferocimo has the potential to be above average for the connections of Potters Charm, who won this race in 2024 before contesting the Turners Novices’ Hurdle. Ferocimo is unbeaten in two lifetime starts, and coming from the family of 2020 Champion Bumper winner Ferny Hollow, he’s bred to be smart.
Saturday
The Triumph Trial has had a good knack of throwing up a competitive British horse for March, but the eye is drawn to Atomic City for connections who know what it takes to land a prize at the Festival. The son of Ghaiyyath was gelded following his effort down the field at Royal Ascot, but he was in good form prior to that and made a taking hurdling debut at Cork. If not a Triumph type, he could easily end up in the Fred Winter.
Put The Kettle On completed the double here in 2019, and this Arkle Trial looks a cracker. Both Kabral Du Mathan and Old Park Star have the potential to reach the pinnacle over fences, with the former already displaying his ability in an excellent chase debut.
The Paddy Power Gold Cup has attracted what looks to be a strong field, including Jack Richards winner Meetmebythesea. Rated 151, a win here on his seasonal debut could elevate him to the high 150s, which wouldn’t put him all that far away from a Grade 1 at the Festival.
Sunday
Dan Skelton has won the opener on Sunday for the last two years, including with Soldier Reeves, who finished the season second in a Grade 1. The yard’s sole entrant on Sunday is Made In Reugny, with Harry provisionally jocked up, and he’s bred to have a good future.
The following contest is a novices’ chase over the Jack Richards distance, and I’d like to think some in here will return for that race in March, particularly the unbeaten Crystal Island and Kalkbrenner, who I thought would make a smashing chaser this season.
Idaho Sun could potentially have the world at his feet this season if he’s recovered from a setback. He was last seen beating Mydaddypaddy in the Grade 1 Formby at Aintree, and if he can land the Greatwood on his reappearance, we could be talking Champion Hurdle territory.