Cheltenham racing tips for November meeting this weekend
Racing at Cheltenham is back this weekend with action on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the November meeting.
One of the highlights of the weekend though, is the Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase, over 2m4f in a top card on the Saturday which also sees listed and graded contests throughout.
Friday hosts two Grade 2 meetings as well as the Paddy Power Handicap Chase, over 2m.
While the Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices' Chase is an intriguing battle for a few promising chasers.
Not only that but the Cross Country Handicap on the same day also stars the likes of Delta Work, Galvin and Back On The Lash.
Saturday not only sees the return of Stage Star, The Real Whacker and Notlongtillmay in the Paddy Power Chase but also the opener, being a Grade 2 Juvenile Hurdle and the 3m listed Chase over 3m.
This exciting jumps fixture plays a big part in helping shape the Cheltenham Festival and figuring out where horses are as the majority make their big seasonal debut ahead of another thrilling jumps season.
Cheltenham betting tips
Friday
- Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial, 2.20: Mighty Tom 5/2
- Cross Country Handicap Chase, 2.55: Delta Work 6/4
- Novices' Hurdle, 3.30: Captain Teague 1/1
Saturday
- Novices' Chase, 1.45: Mister Coffey 9/4
- Gold Cup Handicap, 2.20: Stage Star 4/1 & Sebastopol 40/1
Sunday
- Jewson Handicap, 2.20: Galia Des Liteaux 7/1
- Shloer Chase, 2.55: Jonbon 1/2
Mighty Tom
This could depend on who is entered come the end of the week, with Unexpected Party an interesting rival but there's a couple of races that Dan Skelton-trained horse is entered into.
For now though, Mighty Tom has the form and returning to 2m after a prep run earlier on this month could be dangerous on just his second run over fences.
He's a short price considering he's unexposed and there's certainly promise having run well over hurdles, especially improving this year in Graded company.
Horses here, tend to go off to the Arkle at Cheltenham Festival, but many end up going further and heading into the likes of the Turners' but the Cian Collins-trained horse is set to relish the 2m more than most.
Another to watch in the market though, is a horse who could be very dangerously weighted and one that is not only trying fences for the first time but also while running for the first time since a wind op, Endless Escape at around 12/1.
Delta Work
This could be a day for a few short price winners at Cheltenham for the November meeting.
Delta Work has won nine of his 22 chases, including cross country's here on multiple occasions despite often carrying either top-weight or among the most.
He unseated his rider at the Grand National on the 21st obstacle but won the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham Festival the month prior, beating Galvin by over two lengths.
This sort of distance is his specialty and despite being ten-years-old should continue to be his usual consistent self after having a prep run last month.
Captain Teague
Captain Teague carries the most of his rivals here yet even this early on in the antepost, with 15 runners entered, he's still the even money favourite.
The Paul Nicholls-trained five-year-old had his debut over hurdles last month in a Grade 2 novice hurdle and was a remarkably comfortable winner.
Suggesting on just his second run here he should find this just as easy if continuing to show his ability, having also placed at Cheltenham Festival's Champion Bumper.
Mister Coffey
Mister Coffey is another runner from Nicky Henderson's yard that take to the Cheltenham track this weekend, in what is a very busy week for the former champion trainer.
Mister Coffey has somehow not yet won over fences and surely this is the time as he has put in huge performances in places in the toughest races yet, including the Challenge Cup here in March and then the Grand National a month later, finishing eighth.
His stamina is clearly exceptional and it would be a surprise not to see him in the winners' enclosure after this race.
Stage Star & Sebastopol
Stage Star wasn't expected to win the Turners' Novices' Chase at Cheltenham Festival last season but did so with some in hand having jumped incredibly well throughout while holding the lead.
He's still just seven-years-old though, and there's likely to be much more from this gelding for trainer Paul Nicholls if he's progressed through the summer, which by all accounts he has done.
He was instantly the favourite when the antepost market was first available for this at around 8/1 and already has been shortened to around 4's in the same week of the race.
Sebastopol looks a gigantic price considering he's not been seen over fences since beating Stage Star at Newbury back in November.
It was a shock on the cards as the 2/7f was caught five lengths away and wasn't quite going that day.
But if Sebastopol can put in the same display here, while this time carrying a huge amount less, he's got a real chance of making great place money and potentially a big pay day if shocking the punters once more at 40/1.
Galia Des Liteaux
At this early stage there's a fair few still entered that will come out when declarations are made, taking this from 21 runners right down.
The ground will be a concern for a few with rain expected throughout the weekend create tough conditions, whereas some will thrive on that.
Galia Des Liteaux is one of those that can put in big performances, including a decent fifth here in the Brown Advisory and winning on heavy ground beating Complete Unknown by 13 lengths last January.
He's got the stamina and will be interesting to see how he puts that to use here against some other big hitters, but who will be carrying more.
Jonbon
Jonbon is a great two miler, who went four from five over hurdles and then when switched to fences last season put together an incredible first season chasing.
Winning on debut in November 2022 at Warwick in a novice chase before heading straight to a Grade 1, the Close Brothers Henry VIII Novices' Chase and winning by eight lengths to Boothill.
Over fences he's now five from six with his only loss a decent second to El Fabiolo in the Arkle, beaten by the big favourite.
Now seven-years-old, trained by Nicky Henderson, there's likely to be more from him this season.
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All odds correct at time of writing
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