Cheltenham November Meeting - Sunday Preview - 15/11/20

Cheltenham can be a tough test for a horse on chase debut but the Tizzard stable have never tried to hide their admiration for this gelding and he is expected to mix it at the top of the novice chasing division this season.

He was impressive without beating anything on his first three starts over hurdles, but he took that form to a different level when fourth in the Ballymore, a race which is working out really well.

The stable’s horses weren’t at their best in March which means that effort can be marked up further, and it seems as though they are just coming to the boil this term.

This race looks ready made for Paul Nolan’s Discorama.

A soft ground staying trip with a hill finish is right up his street so as long as he is in with a chance turning for home it is hard to see him outside the frame.

He has a brilliant attitude and that could be a key asset if locking horns with favourite West Approach. Colin Tizzard’s strong-traveller has every chance if things fall his way but he will not want to be eye-balled by our selection up the hill.

Discorama also has room for progression as a 7-y-o, with many of these coming to the end of their careers.

This star mare is now 6/7 over fences and with rain forecast she looks poised to add another victory to her CV.

The 2020 Arkle winner has twice dealt with Rouge Vif around this course and as a 6-y-o she has the potential to improve past Defi Du Seuil, who aims to defend his crown after a lacklustre performance in the Champion Chase.

Admittedly, if Defi is at his best on Sunday he is the one to beat, but with question marks surrounding him you don’t want to be taking a short price.

Alan King landed this prize with Harambe last season and the dual-purpose trainer looks to continue his good run of form with Supreme 6th Edwardstone.

This 6-y-o could be thrown in off 142 with some of his previous form reading exceptionally well.

He would ideally prefer a decent surface but he is proven on soft ground and can’t be ruled out whatever the forecast.

At a bigger price, a risk is taken on David Pipe’s french-recruit Thinking, who has had wind-surgery since bolting up across the sea.

He has a lot to prove after a big absence but it is interesting that they have thrown him straight in ahead of the in-form Main Fact.

Connections excel at this meeting and any rain is welcomed.

This doesn’t look a vintage renewal so it would be disappointing if Champion Bumper 4th Third Time Lucki couldn’t make it 3/3 over hurdles.

Harry Skelton’s star novice shrugged off a penalty with relative ease at Wetherby and he now looks ready for this step up in grade.

His best form has come on soft ground so the forecast will play to his strengths.

Gordon Elliott will be looking to find out how good Weseekhimhere really is in the bumper.

This gelding has hacked up on soft ground on his last two starts and he is the yard’s sole runner on the card.

It isn’t a race for maximum confidence as they are all unexposed, but he sets a lofty standard and Robbie Power has been booked.