Cheltenham takes centre stage once more this weekend, with the entries now finalised for the November meeting.
The October meeting conjured up some excellent performances, such as Kingofthefrontier causing a surprise in the Grade 2 Sharp Novices’ Hurdle for John Dawson, beating the powerhouses of Nicky Henderson and Dan Skelton, while another former British pointer, Woodstock Octo, landed a gamble to beat Olly Murphy and Gordon Elliott in the Class 2 novices’ hurdle on the Saturday.
November sees the calibre of National Hunt horses ramp up, and we could be treated to an even better weekend at Prestbury Park, with these five horses in particular to watch.
Friday 13:45 – Derryhassen Paddy
Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore have had a strong start to the season, and Derryhassen Paddy bids to back up his promising return to action last month.
The Arctic Cosmos gelding was expected to be a promising novice chaser last season after finishing third in the Albert Bartlett, but he was a touch disappointing on his chase debut, and a setback thereafter saw him miss the remainder of the season.
He was given a quiet ride in rear throughout on his reappearance in what looked to be a confidence booster, but he made good late headway despite slipping on the bend, and another step forward is to be expected.
It’ll be interesting to see how he’s ridden, as either they’ll go for glory in the hope he can make up into a Grade 1 chaser, or they’ll potentially mind his mark for something more suitable, such as the National Hunt Chase, with stamina seemingly his forte.
Friday 14:20 – Jonbon
Jonbon heads what looks to be a competitive Shloer Chase field as Nicky Henderson’s star chaser makes his eagerly anticipated return.
He took the Shloer Chase in both 2023 and 2024, but he was seemingly put in his place by the younger, less exposed L’Eau Du Sud in the race last season.
The suspicion was that age had begun to catch up with him, but he proved his class when landing the Clarence House Chase and the Ascot Chase up in trip, adding another two Grade 1s to his glittering career.
He may need this outing once more, however, and he has to shoulder a 6lb penalty against some rivals who aren’t all that far off him in the ratings.
Friday 15:30 – Woodstock Octo
The November meeting’s Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle has thrown up some talented sorts in the past, in particular No Drama This End and Potters Charm in recent renewals, and the latter’s winning trainer heads the way with Ferocimo.
While the favourite is of obvious interest, it’s Woodstock Octo who’s the one to watch, as the Ocovango gelding made a winning debut under rules at this track last month.
Unbeaten in his last six point-to-points, he made the transition to rules with relative ease, with plenty of market confidence behind him. He beat the right pair in the market there in Road To Wembley and Newbrook Diamond, and while he’ll have to step up again, given that was from a 167-day lay-off, he’s more than entitled to strip fitter.
Saturday 13:45 – Old Park Star
The Arkle Trial has attracted some high-class horses at the entry stage, not least the Supreme winner Old Park Star. The Well Chosen gelding missed his preferred engagement at Carlisle due to the ground, though this engagement will largely hinge on the ground too.
Old Park Star is unbeaten in four starts since joining Nicky Henderson and is reminiscent of the trainer’s star two-mile chasers of the past, with whom he is likely to follow a similar path.
It may not be a penalty kick if he turns up, as Skelton has also entered Kabral Du Mathan, who’s already made a successful chase debut. Supreme fourth Baron Noir is also entered to make his chase debut and may meet Old Park Star again, as could Hurricane Pat, who was second to him at Haydock.
Sunday 14:00 – Larzac
Larzac was thought to be a Festival plot last season, which failed to come to fruition, but he switched from Willie Mullins to Faye Bramley at AP McCoy’s stables and belatedly broke his maiden when a comfortable winner at Uttoxeter.
He’s been entered to make his chase debut for his new yard on Sunday, and given the regard he was seemingly held in, a mark of 124 could see him thrown in now he’s tackling larger obstacles.