Cheltenham’s three-day November meeting rarely disappoints as a treat for fans of jump racing and, even with Willie Mullins and other top trainers not wanting to risk some of their best horses on quick ground, this weekend should be no exception.
In the opening race on today’s card, the AIS Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (1.30 p.m.), I am going to back trainer James Owen’s HIGH FIBRE after his fine run when a close fourth in the Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket last month. That race was, of course, on the flat but it was a career-best performance and it makes him look very well handicapped off a mark of just 120 over hurdles.
I was hoping for odds of 6-1 or more in this competitive 19-runner handicap hurdle but that’s not on offer, even though Glancing Jack is having his first run for the Dan Skelton yard and, as such, could put in a much-improved run. Glancing Jack’s price is no bigger than 7-4 which seems terrible value, win or lose.
This race is not going to take a lot of winning so I am going to suggest backing High Fibre 2 points win at 7-2, a price available with most but not all bookmakers. I would expect him to be on a much higher official mark by the end of the season provided he transfers his improved form on the flat to jumps.
In the last race on today’s card, the Valda Energy Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (4 p.m.),
I am going to put up TUPPENCE who makes his way down from Scotland where he is based at the yard of Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore.
The six-year-old gelding has won his last two races at Ayr and Kelso, admittedly both modest affairs, but he has the look of an improver and his talented young amateur jockey, Mr Lucas Murphy, can claim a useful 7 lbs allowance. Back him 1 point each way at 13-2 with bet365, paying five places.
The big race tomorrow is the Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.20 p.m.) in which two Cheltenham Festival winners are due to take each other on in the shape of Meetmebythesea and Madara. However, the latter’s participation remains in doubt due to the quick ground.
Trainer Ben Pauling cannot hide his high opinion of Meetmebythesea, describing him recently as “one of the most exciting horses we have had for a long time” but a 12 lbs rise in the official ratings for his Festival win will make life tougher tomorrow.
I have already nailed my colours to the mast for this race by backing two horses each way at big prices. Both Zurich, put up at 16-1 [INSERT LINK TO OCTOBER 30 BLOG], and Torneo, put up at 25-1 [INSERT LINK TO NOVEMEBR 6 BLOG], should be happy enough with the ground. The former was as short as 7-1 earlier in the week but he has drifted to twice that price since stable jockey Darragh O’Keeffe chose to ride stablemate July Flower instead.
In tomorrow’s From The Horses Mouth Podcast Handicap Hurdle (2.55pm), AIMERIC looks a big price for a horse that, like High Fibre today, is well handicapped on his best flat form when stabled with Karl Burke. Now with in-form handler Jennie Candlish, this seven-year-old gelding comes here off the back of two wins in modest handicap hurdles at Sedgefield.
In an open-looking 16-runner handicap, back Americ 1 point each way at 16-1 with bet365, paying five places.
At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, trainer Paul Nicholls’ seven-year-old gelding FASOL is another horse well handicapped over hurdles compared with his flat rating and there was plenty to like about his run last time out, when fourth to Trustintimes at Ascot.
He runs tomorrow at Windsor in the Berkshire Winter Million £40 For 3 Days Handicap Hurdle (3.10 p.m.) with young Freddie Gingell in the saddle. In the horse’s previous visit to Windsor last year, he did not cover himself in glory but he is better than that. Back Fasol 1 point each way at 11-1 with bet365, paying four places.
On Sunday, the big race is the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle (3.10 p.m.) and, once again, my money is already down on two horses at decent prices each way: Helnwein at 16-1 [INSERT LINK TO OCTOBER 30 BLOG] and Mister Ursus at 20-1.
One reader, Nick B, suggested in the comments section last week that I should pen a “ten to follow” of horses for the jumps season but, with the big Cheltenham November meeting to cover, space is short this week. I will look at tackling this task next week.
Pending:
2 point win High Fibre at 7-2 in the AIS Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.
1 point each way Tuppence at 13-2 for the Valda Energy Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, paying 1/5th odds, 5 places.
1 point each way Zurich at 16-1 for the Paddy Power Gold Cup, paying ¼ odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Torneo at 25-1 for the Paddy Power Gold Cup, paying ¼ odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Aimeric at 16-1 for the From The Horses Mouth Podcast Handicap Hurdle , paying 1/5th odds, 5 places.
1 point each way Fasol at 11-1 for the Berkshire Winter Million £40 For 3 Days Handicap Hurdle, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Helnwein at 16-1 for the Greatwood Hurdle, paying ¼ odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Mister Ursus at 20-1 for the Greatwood Hurdle, paying ¼ odds, 4 places.
2 points win Jordans at 16-1 for the Grand National 2027.
Last weekend:
1 point each way Marble Sands at 12-1 for the BetMGM Handicap Chase, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Southoftheborder at 11-1 for the Play Lucky Stable With William Hill Handicap Chase, paying 1/5th odds. Unplaced. – 2 points.
2026-7 jumps season running total: -3.68 points.
2026 flat season: + 21.994 points on all tips.
2025-26 jumps season: – 57.785 points on all tips.
2025 flat season: + 84.12 points on all tips.
2024-5 jumps season: – 47.61 points on all tips.
2024 flat season: + 41.4 points on all tips.
2023 flat season: – 48.22 points on all tips.
2022-3 jumps season: + 54.3 points on all tips.
Total for eight full seasons of tipping: + 90.209 points on all tips.
For more racing news and tips, read The Turf by Charlie Brooks.
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