Cheltenham November Meeting: Day 1 Preview

The first really big meeting of the jumps season gets underway at Cheltenham on Friday and an enticing six-race card is in store.

Watch all the action from Cheltenham (1.10-4.00pm) via live streaming when logged into MansionBet, along with every race from the UK and Ireland.

Racing Post tipster Graeme Rodway previews Friday’s action at Cheltenham for MansionBet.

1.10 Cheltenham – Markel Insurance Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Liam Harrison is one of the best conditionals in Britain and Fergal O’Brien usually enjoys plenty of success at Cheltenham in the October and November meetings. They team up with Art Approval, who was fourth in a hot 2m4f handicap hurdle at this course last month and could improve with the run under his belt. He has dropped 1lb in the weights and can cash in.

Selection: Art Approval @ 9/2

1.45 Cheltenham – Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Handicap Chase

Magic Saint won this race on his second start last season and, off the same mark with Angus Cheleda claiming 5lb, he is fancied for a repeat. Paul Nicholls has said on many occasions that Magic Saint needs a run to put him right and the seven-year-old has won second time out in both of the last two seasons. He can improve on a low-key return at Wetherby last month.

Selection: Magic Saint @ 10/3

2.20 Cheltenham – SSS Super Alloys Novices’ Chase

A disappointing turnout with only Gin On Lime lining up against the most exciting horse in Britain, My Drogo. The Dan Skelton-trained six-year-old ran away with a Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree on his final start last season and has the size and scope to make an even better chaser. Neither of his rivals were in his class over hurdles and there’s no chance they’ll be able to give My Drogo weight on his chase debut, provided he puts in a clean round of jumping.

Selection: My Drogo @ 3/10

2.55 Cheltenham – Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase

It’s unusual to see lightly raced horses line up in this race, but Back On The Lash comes into that category and he might be too progressive for these. Back On The Lash has won three of his six starts over fences and trainer Martin Keighley must feel he is perfect for cross-country races otherwise he wouldn’t bother running him. The trainer enjoyed plenty of success in this type of race with Any Currency a few years ago and it’s worth backing his judgement here.

Selection: Back On The Lash @ 13/2

3.30 Cheltenham – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle

This should be between Gelino Bello and Off Your Rocco and preference is for Gelino Bello, who was impressive when winning in a good time at Aintree on his hurdles debut and was no stronger than at the finish. The extra furlong on this stiffer track should suit and he receives 5lb from Off Your Rocco. That might just prove the clinching factor in a hot-looking contest.

Selection: Gelino Bello @ 6/5

4.00 Cheltenham – Valda Energy Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

This is a wide-open race but Just The Man was impressive when winning at Ludlow last month in a fast time. The form has been franked by subsequent wins for the fourth and fifth and this 77-rated Flat performer is still fairly treated off a mark of 114 over hurdles. The better the ground, the better his chance and the dry forecast looks in Just The Man’s favour.

Selection: Just The Man @ 22/1

*All odds correct at time of writing