Cheltenham November Meeting: Friday 17th November
A couple from Friday at the November Cheltenham Meeting: I think Gearoid Harney is great value for his claim. Paricolor from David Pipe’s yard will certainly be winning a similar contest probably with him in the saddle. I think you can mark Belgoprince down as being unlucky in the concluding contest of Friday. He absolutely walked through the last when coming to challenge, that mistake put paid to any chance. He’s still one to put in the trackers.
Paddy Power Gold Cup Day – Saturday
First race on Saturday of the November Cheltenham Meeting: Burdett Road was extraordinary to make up ground in the conditions. Then for him to win going away was hugely impressive, I think we finally have an English contender for the Triumph hurdle. Could he seize a victory for the home side for the first time since 2019? He appears to have a lethal turn of foot. His jumping requires improvement but you can rest assured they will work on that. Milan Tino went off favourite for the race. On the evidence shown so far, he seems to not have the pace for two miles.
Paddy Power Gold Cup
I think it’s safe to say that Good Risk At All does not really get three miles. He’s clearly better at 2m5f. Broadway Boy was impressive in that contest in both attitude and jumping. Low and quick at the obstacles, he has improved with every run. You can forgive him a few novicey mistakes as he appears to learn from them. His trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies is looking at the Brown Advisory at the Festival. He also wouldn’t be out of place in a National Hunt Chase.
Stage Star loomed out of the mud with extreme credit. Taking a decent field along from the front and jumping well, all bar the last. He was lucky to survive that mistake. A few observers thought he was lame behind, post-race. Given his propensity to be best when fresh, we may not see him until the Ryanair on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Eyecatchers
Another two to put in your trackers from the Saturday of the Cheltenham November Meeting are: Chantry House (caught the eye in third in the three-mile hurdle) and Sharp Object. The latter was very green and hung right when moving to challenge in the bumper; she has strong form in Ireland and the stable are currently out of form so it will pay to keep her on-side.
Cheltenham November Meeting: Nicky Henderson stars on Greatwood Hurdle Day
On to Sunday of the Cheltenham November meeting. I think the victory of Cannock Park can be marked up considerably, he was keen as at the start and has an awkward head carriage. Apparently, he is an awkward customer. However, some of the very talented horses do have their quirks! Considering the energy he expanded throughout the race, he did well to win. The second-placed Innattendu will be winning races when the stable returns to form.
Green and Gold clover at Prestbury Park
Jonbon and Iberico Lord gave Nicky Henderson, JP and Nico De Boinville a golden hour in taking the Schloer Chase and the Greatwood. Jonbon was notably more relaxed in the preliminaries and a fascinating rematch with El Fabiolo looks to be on the cards in the Queen Mother Champion Chase come March. Iberico Lord confirmed the promise he had shown at the back end of last season.
After another good-quality Cheltenham November Meeting, the Road to Cheltenham continues! I hope to see you all there in March!
Notebook
– Burdett Road
– Chantry House
– Sharp Object
– Cannock Park
18+ Please Bet Responsibly
Follow me on Twitter @CathrynFry and supercharge your Cheltenham bets with kwiff!
By Cathryn Fry
