The Cheltenham November meeting gets under way on Friday, with the Grade 2 Shloer Chase the feature on the opening day. Only four go to post for the two-mile contest at 2.20pm, with the ground having eased to good, good to soft in places.

Jonbon bids to win the race for a third time for Nicky Henderson, 12 months after being beaten 15 lengths by L’Eau Du Sud. Harry Cobden rides the ten-year-old, who takes on Harry Fry‘s Gidleigh Park, Warren Greatrex‘s Mighty Bandit and Jane Williams‘ Saint Segal.

1. Jonbon – Nicky Henderson/Harry Cobden

Undeniable modern great still yet to finish out of the first two in his career. Has twice won this race, those being his only victories in eight starts at Cheltenham. Still at the top of his game for most of last season though, winning the Grade 1 Clarence House and Ascot Chases and finishing second in the Tingle Creek and Ryanair Chase. Well-beaten into second in this though, behind a horse of comparable ability to his three rivals here, who he concedes 6lb to. That and his overall Prestbury Park record suggest he is opposable.

2. Gidleigh Park – Harry Fry/Bryan Carver

Unexposed eight-year-old who has still only raced six times over fences. Is a big, powerful type, potentially at his best at middle distances, but does have speed for 2m, as shown when winning a Windsor Grade 2 as a novice. Also second in Grade 1 company that season, but broadly disappointed last term. He is clearly not the easiest to train, so while the talent is there to win a race like this, he also has the most questions to answer.

3. Mighty Bandit – Warren Greatrex/Sean Bowen

Highly progressive last season, racking up a hat-trick of handicap successes as a novice chaser. Soared from a rating of 129 to 152, demonstrating the ability he had promised as a youngster. Still only six and earned a Grade 1 call-up when fourth at Aintree to Mirabad in April. That form looks mixed, especially after the winner’s reappearance, and probably highlights he is reaching his ceiling, but there could yet be more to come. He is certainly the most likely in this field to find further progression.

4. Saint Segal – Jane Williams/Ciaran Gethings

Registered a personal best campaign in 2025/26 even accounting for being pulled up the last twice. Won twice at Chepstow and Kelso and was also twice runner-up to the irresistibly progressive Thistle Ask in a pair of Grade 2 handicaps before the turn of the year. Subsequently finished second in the open Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase at Newbury behind the exciting Lulamba, but conceded him weight. If he jumps out well, he looks a big threat in receipt of 6lb from Jonbon at this track after making a respectable return.

Shloer Chase Racecard

Joe Napier’s Shloer Chase 1-2-3-4

Jonbon’s record at Cheltenham continues to loom over his otherwise flawless profile. He has won this race twice, but as a ten-year-old who has lost every other race at Prestbury Park, and concedes 6lb all-round here, he is opposable. The most likely to shock him is SAINT SEGAL should he get into a jumping rhythm. He should be prominent and ran a good race behind the very talented Lulamba at Newbury last season, while he has also had a run. Questions remain around Gidleigh Park, so the progressive Mighty Bandit may fill the tricast.

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