The national hunt season really kicks into gear this weekend with the three-day Cheltenham November Meeting featuring The Paddy Power Gold Cup on the Saturday.
The race often features previous Cheltenham Festival winners and has occasionally produced the odd Cheltenham Gold Cup winner. We preview the big race along with the significant Shloer Chase which features the return of leading Champion Chase fancy Jonbon.
We also look at the big handicap hurdle on Sunday, The Greatwood Handicap Hurdle.
Using our betting partners, Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports, we check out best bets, best each way shots and best odds.
The Paddy Power Gold Cup, 1420 Cheltenham, Saturday 18th November
A quality field including a major Cheltenham Gold Cup entry and a recent Cheltenham Festival Grade One winner for this prestigious handicap chase over the old course.
Stage Star from the bang in form Paul Nicholls yard leads the betting but faces danger from the classy The Real Whacker who surprisingly put Cheltenham Gold Cup fancy Gerri Colombe to the sword at The Cheltenham Festival last March.
Stage Star
Has the absolute right to hold favouritism (9/2, William Hill) after his sensational victory in the Turners Novices Chase at The Cheltenham Festival, beating the likes of Appreciate It and Mighty Potter in the process.
The impressive feature of that win was the determination to keep the lead when he blundered slightly at the fourth last. Stage Star is quick and nimble over the fences and if allowed to dictate matters, it will take something special to peg him back in this grade of race.
The Real Whacker
This talented stayer certainly has the form of the entries having beaten leading Cheltenham Gold Cup fancy Gerri Colombe in the Brown Advisory Novices Chase at the last Cheltenham Festival.
That was over 3 miles, but he has winning form over 2m 4f having won the big novice chase over course and distance back in January. Gerri Colombe came out on top in last weekend’s Down Royal Champion Chase, so the form is very watertight. However, top weight is a concern for this 7/1 (Betfred, Boylesports) chance.
Best Each Way Long Shot
Torn And Frayed trained by the inform Nigel Twiston Davies holds excellent each way claims based on his handicap win over course and distance back in January but might need less cut in the ground. 20/1 best with Bet365.
The Shloer Chase, 1455 Cheltenham, Sunday 19th November
This Champion Chase trial race looks to be a fascinating contest, packed with stars who all have course and distance wins. Ironically, the 4/6 (William Hill) favourite Jonbon does not but he should take all the beating.
Jonbon
The Nicky Henderson trained full brother to Douvan found his feet last season as a novice chaser after being fully exposed by Constitution Hill in his previous season hurdling.
Although he found El Fabiolo just too good in the Arkle, he proved his worth by consequently picking up the main Grade 1 novice chase at Aintree and winning the Bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown. He should take all the beating in this Grade 2 contest on the final day. 1-2 best with William Hill.
Edwardstone
Never turned up in last season’s Champion Chase and ran an extremely poor race. Best watched on this occasion with a firm eye on the market moves before the race. Best odds 5/2 Bet365 and Boylesports.
Banbridge
Has a slim chance if he can reproduce the form when winning the 2m 4 furlong novice chase at Aintree last April but may also need livelier ground. Best odds 7/1 with Boylesports.
The Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, 1530 Cheltenham, Sunday 19th November
Very competitive large field handicap hurdle over 2 miles.
Onlymatteroftime
Current favourite at 4/1 with William Hill, Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports. Has been running well in Irish handicaps over the summer and trainer Willie Mullins would not send this entry over unless the yard thought the horse had a great chance of winning. Has been well backed in recent days and rides under a featherweight rating of 115.
Knickerbockerglory
This Dan Skelton trained 7-year-old ran a fine race at Ascot recently, beating Altobelli by 5 lengths. The horse also has the advantage of a 5ib weight allowance in respect of the conditional jockey on board. Looks well treated at the weights also. Best each way chance at 10/1 with William Hill.
SELECTIONS
The Paddy Power Gold Cup, 1420 Cheltenham, Saturday 18th November: STAGE STAR WIN (9/2 William Hill)
The Shloer Chase, 1455 Cheltenham, Sunday 19th November
JONBON WIN (1-2 William Hill)
The Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, 1530 Cheltenham, Sunday 19th November: KNICKERBOCKERGLORY EACH WAY (William Hill, 10/1)
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