Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece I look at the best of the action at Cheltenham.

Sunday’s Racing

There’s plenty of jumping starts making their return to action on Sunday afternoon. Not just at Cheltenham where it’s the final day of the November meeting but also at Navan.

Cheltenham’s Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (2.55) is the big betting race of the day but there’s also a decent supporting card. The highlight being Edwardstone taking on Nube Negra in the Grade 2 Shloer Chase (1:45).

There’s Graded action at Navan this afternoon. The highlight being the Grade 2 Railway Bar Lismullen Hurdle (1:55). The race see’s the return to hurdles of Bob Olinger who takes on the likes of Stayers Hurdle winner Flooring Porter, Zanahiyr and Ashdale Boy.

Exciting chaser Ferny Hallow returns from 11 months of the track in the Grade 2 Fortria Chase and the 7-year-old faces six rivals including the Gordon Elliott pair of Andy Dufresne & Riviere D'etel.

Earlier on the Navan card there’s an intriguing beginners chase (12:45). It looks best beginners chase so far in Ireland with exciting hurdlers Flame Bearer, Hollow Games, Colonel Mustard, and Heart Wood all making their debut over the larger obstacles.

The ITV cameras are covering four races from Cheltenham. Plus, the Vickers.Bet Southern National Handicap Chase (2:05) at Fontwell as part of a five race programme

The Navan card might not be on ITV this afternoon, but it promises to be the most informative of the lot as afar as the rest of the season is concerned.

Cheltenham November Meeting – Day 3

Shloer Chase (Registered As The Cheltenham Chase) (Grade 2) (1:45)

Nube Negra and Edwardstone both make their seasonal returns.  The former must give the latter 3lb and might not get the strong gallop that he needs but on good ground he looks the one to be with. It looks like Edwardstone won’t run on account of the drying ground.

Jewson Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (2:20)

Despite the size of the field, it doesn’t look the strongest of races with plenty probably wanting more ease in the ground. Highland National winner Slipway also holds an entry in the Southern National and seems likely to head to wherever the ground is easiest.

The Mghty Don isn’t the easiest to win with and is often let down by his jumping. He was on a going day when a good 1 ¼ length 2^nd of 5 in this race 12 months ago. He's 7lb lower this time around and likely to get his favoured underfoot conditions.  If and its big if he’s jumping holds up, he’s nicely handicapped.

Topweight, Does He Know is 3-6 here at Cheltenham and a four time winner on good/good to firm ground. The 7-year-old came down at the first at Kelso on his seasonal return. He showed when winning the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices' Chase at Ascot in February that he has good reserves of stamina so today’s trip should be within his stamina range.

Eva’s Oscar ran in the Kelso race where Does He Know fell at the first. The 8-year-old likely needed the run when a 13¾ lengths 6^th of 10 to Sound Russian on his seasonal return last month.  The 8-year-old ended last season with a career best on RPR’s when winning an Exeter handicap chase in March. It was heavy ground that day but his form figures on good ground are 1112 so he should be fine on today’s likely ground. Akthough the trainer would prefer softer ground for him.

Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (2:55)

Sixteen have stood their ground for the big betting race of the day. I covered the race in Thursday’s big race preview.  I like To Move It is a tentative selection. However, you can make cases for Severance who wouldn't be winning out of turn. Harbour Lake who probably would prefer easier ground and Gin Coco complete the shortlist.

Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Sharp Novices' Hurdle) (3:30)

A field of nine have been declared for this Grade 2 contest. Impressive bumper winner Springwell Bay looked a smart hurdling prospect when winning at Carlisle last month. There should be plenty more to come from the 5-year-old and he looks a worthy favourite. His biggest rivals could be hurdling debutants Iberico Lord and Father Of Jazz. 

Iberico Lord won a French bumper on racecourse debut in May and is now with Nicky Henderson. He’s in the could be anything category. It will be interesting to see how he fares in the pre-race betting.

Father Of Jazz was useful on the flat when trained by Roger Varian and shouldn’t have any problem with the good ground. It's interesting that Dan Skelton pitches the 5-year-old into Graded company on his hurdling debut and he's another to consider.

Sunday Selection:

Queen’s Gamble was a very impressive winning nap on Saturday. I said she was probably the best horse that Oliver Sherwood has trained in recent years and she shaped like it on Saturday.

Cheltenham

2:55 – I like To Move It – 17/2 @ Bet365.

Good luck with your Sunday bets.

John