Cheltenham November meeting – Saturday Preview

Triumph Hurdle Trial

The opener on the card at Cheltenham this Saturday is the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial Juvenile Hurdle, which has seen fantastic past winners such as Defi De Seuil (2016) and Apples Shakira (2017).

This year’s renewal is filled with excitement but also unknowns, with Paul Nicholls’ Blueking D’Oroux heading the market. Despite being yet to be seen running in the UK, the previously French based horse has won once in three starts whislt running in France.

The Milton Harris trained Scriptwriter is the next shortest price in the field and also looks to be an exciting prospect. The horse was campaigned on the flat for most of last season with Aiden O’Brien, finishing 5th behind Coroebus in arguably his best start. He has run once since his arrival at Milton Harris’, where he won at Sedgfield by 2 ¼ Lenghts, making him one to follow for tomorrow.

The Return of Monmiral

Paul Nicholls’ impressive start to the season can most definitely be continued in the ‘Arkle challenge Trophy trial Novices’ Chase‘ with the exciting return of the high class Monmiral. The former Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle winner was last seen fnishing second in the Betway Aintree Hurdle behind Epatante in last April, showing his high class.

He certainly isn’t the only horse amongst the field with high class form however, as former Triumph Hurdle winner Pentland Hills is amongst runners in the race. The Nicky Henderson trained 7-year-old was last seen cantering past the crowd in a walkover at Huntingdon, in a race where little was learnt about his jumping ability, making him hard to back, as suggested by the market.

Also in the field is the Joseph O’Brien trained Banbridge, who’s campaigning largely takes place over in Ireland. He was last seen winning with ease at Gowran park however, his biggest racing success came at the Cheltenham Festival in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, showing he most definitely has the class to compete with the others in the field.

Paddy Power Gold Cup

The Paddy Power Gold Cup is the feature event of the November meeting at Cheltenham, and never fails to create drama and excitement. This year’s renewal is currently made up of 15 runners, including former winner Coole Cody (2020), who will be running at Cheltenham for a 16th time, never failing to come alive when running at Prestbury Park.

Il Ridoto however, is the pick of the bunch, trained by the champion trainer Paul Nicholls and last seen finishing third in a Grade 2 at Ayr behind Do Your Job. He comes off the back of a 224 day break with an official rating of 140 giving him a great chance at around 8/1

Simply The Betts looks like the one to take from the field for an each way bet at around 14/1. He is also trained by the Champion trainer Paul Nicholls, and like Coole Cody, is a big fan of Cheltenham making his 10th appearance there on Saturday, hoping to improve on his two 6th place runs in this race in previous years.

Luccia looks to be the best

The 4:05 Listed Bumper finishes the action for the day on Saturday at Cheltenham, and heading the market is the unbeaten and exciting Luccia for Nicky Henderson. She was last seen winning by 17 lengths ay Sandown in a Listed National Hunt flat race, which she did in tremendous style, making her the one to beat.

A slight unknown amongst the field is last year’s winner of the race Bonttay. Having had issues following her win in this same race last year, the Fergal O’Brien trained mare has yet to make her long awaited reappearance. However, If she is to show near the same class as she did last year, she will be right amongst them come the end of the race.

Willie Mullins and Bryony Frost combine in the race with Williamstowndancer, whose one and only run was a 2 ¼ win at Punchestwon in October making her hard to support given the proven quality of some of the others however, given Mullins’ Cheltenham record she is by no means to be dismissed at around 4/1.