The feature of day one of the November Meeting is the Shloer Chase Grade 2, having moved from the Sunday card this year, which gives this race the prominence it deserves across the three-day November meeting. The Shloer has had small fields in recent years, however with the unseasonably dry weather it was always going to be the case that this would be repeated, although I’m confidant in the future there will be bigger fields.

For the feature, the 2023 winner Jonbon is Unibet 4/11 on for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson and Jonbon can gain his fifteenth success from 18 appearances in which he has finished runner-up in the other races.

Of course, it’s not a clever selection by any means, but Jonbon had his main rival here, Edwardstone, behind him every time they met last season, including in this race when there was almost ten lengths between them at the line, and there’s no real reason why Edwardstone should get any nearer on this occasion.

Later on in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Grade 2 it will be intriguing to see how the tightly matched market leaders Potters Charm Unibet Evens and Valgrand Unibet 6/4 perform, and I’ll keep a watching brief here.

Enjoy whether at Cheltenham or watching #athome on ITV4 or Racing TV.

See you there!

Cheers

The Wine Tipster

1:10 Cheltenham – Lycetts Insurance Brokers Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle (2m 5f)

Whatsupwithyou can come out on top in an open-looking handicap with Callum Prichard’s 10lb allowance looking a pretty big plus point.

Whatsupwithyou has hit the frame four times from seven starts at Cheltenham, often in big-field handicaps such as this, and has plenty of good-ground form to call upon. He returned from his summer break to run a cracker at Fontwell, only beaten half a length, and that should have set him up nicely for this. He looks certain to run his race again and is solid each-way material.

Unibet 12/1 each way

2:55 Cheltenham – Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (3m 5½f)

Mister Coffey has not won since taking a handicap hurdle in November 2020 and has during his chase career finished second on six occasions, including at the Cheltenham Festival. This could be a good opportunity for him providing the ground isn’t too quick in unfortunately what is a poor renewal, with the class act Conflated putting the majority of the field out of the handicap, but whether Conflated can be trusted off 12st after another below-par display in the Charlie Hall is a moot point.

Mister Coffey is only one pound out the handicap on a weight on 10st 2lbs and we know he stays after his third in the National Hunt Chase over a similar distance, ahead of running a stormer in the Grand National when only fading on the run in.

Mister Coffey can run a big race and will take to the cross-country course.

Unibet 4/1 win

4:00 Cheltenham – Valda Energy Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (2m ½f)

Wreckless Eric (nap) looked like he was going to win last time out at Wincanton in October when overpitchng two flights out after having moved smoothly into the race. He was coming into Wincanton on a three-timer and providing his confidence isn’t dented he can make amends here.

Unibet 5/1 win

Callin Baton Rouge appeared not to stay the 2m4½f here at the Showcase meeting when going for a four-timer last time out, but she travelled nicely into the contest until a mistake two out put her on the back foot, and from that point she was always chasing the game a little. All the same, it was a respectable effort and one that suggested she will at least run a good race for each way players.

Unibet 25/1 each way