Following the Charlie Hall and the Down Royal Champion Chase last weekend, the National Hunt season is well under way, and we’re beginning to see some of the ‘proper’ jumping horses back on our screens.
The top action is coming thick and fast, with some notable contests taking place over the next seven days.
Clonmel Oil Chase – Thursday 5 November
The Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase at Clonmel takes centre stage on Thursday as a tantalising hors d’oeuvre for the weekend ahead.
Willie Mullins has dominated the race since 2013, with just Noel Meade, Joseph O’Brien and Mouse Morris managing to defeat him. The Closutton general has sent out the likes of Champagne Fever, Kemboy, Douvan and Allaho to win the race in the past, and last year’s winner Il Etait Temps is back for more.
The Jukebox Jury gelding has made relentless progress over fences of late, and capped off last season with victories in the Champion Chase at both Cheltenham and Punchestown.
Mullins has four others entered, while Gordon Elliott has entered two, including Firefox, who bids to extend his impressive record when fresh.
Haldon Gold Cup – Friday 6 November
Exeter has sadly lost its feature contest, the Haldon Gold Cup, due to being unable to provide sufficient jumping ground, but its loss is Aintree’s gain, and the field looks competitive regardless.
Dan Skelton took the race with Thistle Ask last season and has another surprise improver in Mirabad, who remarkably won the Grade 1 Maghull Novices’ Chase last season at 50/1. He had a good spin over hurdles on his seasonal debut and has an excellent record second time up.
Joe Tizzard has made an equally strong start to the season as the Skeltons, and while he isn’t at his beloved Exeter this time, that shouldn’t stop JPR One from running a big race. He carried top weight to win on his reappearance at Cheltenham, continuing his excellent improvement from last season.
Paul Nicholls has won the race multiple times, and Rubaud could be well handicapped off 146 if putting it all together following a respectable reappearance.
Molyneux Hurdle – Saturday 7 November
Wincanton has also lost its first November meeting for the same reasons as Exeter, so Aintree stages the Grade 2 Molyneux Hurdle, formerly known as the Elite Hurdle.
The contest could see a fascinating early-season match-up between Champion Hurdle contenders Alexei and Mydaddypaddy. The former was fourth to Lossiemouth in last year’s Champion Hurdle, and might have got plenty closer had he not got the last hurdle all wrong. The latter was third to Old Park Star in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, but he was four when he began his campaign, could easily have improved plenty for another summer and likely has a big season ahead of him.
Gordon Elliott has entered Mange Tout, who beat Selma De Vary, twice a Grade 1 runner-up, in Grade 1 company at Aintree last season.
Rising Stars Novices’ Chase – Saturday 7 November
Thirty-five minutes later sees another usual Wincanton contest in the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase, which has been won by some of the greats, such as See More Business, Bindaree and Silviniaco Conti, in the past.
Twelve have been entered for the contest, including Talk To The Man, who was an impressive winner on his chase debut for Dan Skelton. Paul Nicholls, who’s won this with many a smart one, has entered last year’s Challow winner No Drama This End.
Harry Derham’s unbeaten Cristal d’Estruval could make his long-awaited chase debut, and another unbeaten Crystal Ocean gelding, Crystal Island, is also entered for Nicky Henderson.
Kalkbrenner looked a potentially smart novice last season, but picked up a knock in the Challow and was subsequently put away. He’s a point-to-point winner and can make his mark over fences.
November Handicap – Saturday 7 November
The Flat action is still lingering among the jumps, as Doncaster’s November Handicap is the Town Moor feature to bring the curtain down on the turf season.
Forty-two have been entered for the £75,000 prize, including the unexposed Alfred Wincham, who was put up 13lb for his eight-length success at York last month. That was one of the most impressive performances on the Knavesmire this season, and he looks a smart gelding.
A potential handicap blot is Deira Mile, who three starts ago was beaten a length in the St Leger and also had form here as a juvenile, finishing fourth in the Futurity. He’s lost his way, but if his new connections can get him back on track, then he’s attractively handicapped off 104.
Last year’s winner Castle Cove hasn’t been seen since winning the race, but he’s unbeaten in two starts when fresh, and a 9lb higher mark might not be enough to prevent a follow-up.