Day One Cheltenham November Meeting Preview

The first race of the November meeting sees the Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles 5 furlongs and the horse that takes the eye is Tango Boy.

The Neil Mulholland trained seven year old is fairly unexposed for his age only being seen four times in his career, winning his bumper in March 2019 and since placing in all three of his events over hurdles.

He made his debut over hurdles at Carlisle in October last year and finished third in a fair event and from there he was second at Catterick behind a nice type for Olly Murphy.

He was last seen in March this year finishing second at Doncaster over three miles on his handicap debut and if building from that run is a live contender.

The Paddy Power Handicap Chase over two miles sees a decent field of chasers go to post and the Gary Moore trained Beat The Judge has a huge chance.

The five year old has been a fairly consistent type for Moore recently, running through the summer and in his four runs has not finished outside the places, whilst winning his two events.

Having started the season in July he finished a good third at Stratford and backed that up, which set him up for two wins at Newton Abbot and Fontwell.

He stepped up to better company at Cheltenham last time out and ran a superb contest behind the smart Rouge Vif, which looks some of the stand out form in the race.

Running off the same mark today makes him one to watch at a nice price.

The 2 mile 4 furlongs Novices' Chase only sees four runners head to post but the field is packed full of talent, with the top two in the market hard to split.

Dan Skelton's Protektorat should just have the edge in the race, having been smart hurdles horse, but making an emphatic chase debut at Carlisle when landing the race by seven lengths.

The son of Saint Des Saints is a previous course and distance winner over hurdles, landing a listed event in January and since then has finished third in a Grade Two at the track whilst running a modest race at the festival in the Coral Cup.

His chase debut looked to be something special and if improving for that run could turn out to be a serious horse over the bigger obstacles this term.

David Cottin trained Cheltenham festival hero Easysland is on course to make his seasonal return at Cheltenham in the Cross Country Chase On Friday ahead what looks a huge season for the French chaser.

All the hype was around fan favourite Tiger Roll in this year’s renewal of the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but the French raider came and spoiled the party and did so in decisive fashion.

Sporting the JP McManus green and yellow stripes for the second time in his career having been bought by the owner after winning at Cheltenham in December, the French exploit always looked to be travelling best and when the two-time Grand National hero was unable to quicken up after two out he began to assert.

David Cottin’s gelding finished 17-lengths ahead of Tiger Roll, who still managed to finish 18-lengths ahead of third place Out Sam, which suggests how special this Cross Country ace is.

He takes on Tiger Roll for a second time in his career, getting weight again off the Gigginstown superstar and that should be the difference between the two.

In the Grade Two Ballymore Novices Hurdle we like the look of the Fergal O'Brien trained Polish, who at 16/1 looks a big each way player.

His rider Paddy Brennan has been very bullish about this horse all season and has said in his Unibet blog that this horse will win a big contest this season.

Polish has a very similar profile to stablemate Champagne Well who did not have much form before heading into this event last season and he finished a bold second behind Grade One winner Thyme Hill.

Polish has ran twice this season, needing the run at Bangor on seasonal debut and then finishing third of six at Cheltenham over three miles.

What was likeable about that run, was that Polish was keen throughout and also clattered the fourth and second hurdle from home and still managed to stay on well up the hill in the finish.

Fergal O'Brien has targeted this race every year having a superb record in the event finishing third in 2017, having the winner in 2018 and finishing second with Champagne Well last term.

Polish looks to have a huge chance at 12/1 and the only reason his price is that big will be because of the step up in grade, which he should handle.

The final event of day one at Cheltenham sees the Novices' Handicap hurdle and Panic Attack for trainer David Pipe looks to be on a workable mark for her handicap debut.

The mare started her career for Willie Mullins at Market Rasen bolting up in a bumper before being bought and moving to David Pipe.

Pipe sent her to the Champion Bumper where she ran no sort of race, but now going over hurdles has retained her potential.

She made her seasonal debut at Huntingdon finishing second behind the smart looking Vegas Blue for Nicky Henderson, and she improved for that run to get off the mark in a maiden at Uttoxeter.

She has been given a mark of 119 and if handling the track better than she did at the festival, she has to have a live chance.