2025 Cheltenham November Meeting Saturday – DS
2025 Cheltenham November Meeting Saturday
As has often been the case at this time of year, my form has fallen off a cliff in recent weeks. Our woes continued unabated last weekend with not one of my four selections running any sort of a race. It can’t get any worse can it? Well, in the famous words of Mick McCarthy, it can. My 2025 Cheltenham November meeting Saturday preview is below (no NAP or NB this week).
1.45 – Arkle Trial Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)
At the time of writing on Friday afternoon there had been 18mm of rain at Cheltenham and the ground had turned properly soft. It’s going to be a day for the mudlarks if racing gets the go ahead but unfortunately, neither of the double figure priced horses appeal in the opener.
Breaking Cover would be tempting if the ground was quicker but his form figures (including in P2Ps) on softer than good read F3F. Brentford Hope, on the other hand, likes testing conditions but he lacks a recent run, he’s yet to jump a fence in public and he goes minus the usual cheekpieces.
With just six runners this is an easy one to swerve. No bet.
2025 Cheltenham November meeting Saturday Tip: no bet
2.20 – Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier)
Henry De Bromhead hasn’t had many runners in this valuable handicap chase. Last season, Lets Go Champ ran a fine race to finish third for him and he returns with two bullets to fire this year. Darragh O’Keefe prefers the prospects of the four-timer seeking Coming Up Easy but testing ground has to be a big worry for that gelding.
De Bromhead has secured the services of the superb Sean Bowen to ride his other contender, Theatre Native. This 7yo won a Grade 3 Mares’ Novice handicap chase on the new course here last April off a mark of 125. That was on good ground and she is 10lb higher now but she won her maiden hurdle on heavy and she has also run well on soft.
Last time out at Limerick she shaped like she was in need of the run when finishing 3.75l behind the runner up Conyers Hill. She’s 4lb better off with that rival here so she may be able to close that gap and Sean Bowen is 1/2 when riding for Kenneth Alexander. At odds of 18/1, Theatre Native is the e/w selection.
2025 Cheltenham November meeting Saturday Tip: Theatre Native e/w @ 18/1 (4 places)
2.55 – Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)
The one I like here at a nice price is Patriotik for Evan and Isabel Williams. This 6yo has suffered heavy defeats the last twice, including over C&D on his seasonal reappearance three weeks ago but in both those races, the ground was good.
This horse is a much better operator when there is soft in the ground description. At Uttoxeter back in March, his last start on good to soft, he was beaten just 1.25l off 124 in a valuable handicap hurdle. He pitches up off 123 here, so we know he is capable off this mark.
His form figures under Rules on ground softer than good read 2U321, with the win coming on his sole start on heavy at Ffos Las. He should strip fitter for that below par run here last time and at odds of 16/1, Patriotik is worth backing e/w.
2025 Cheltenham November meeting Saturday Tip: Patriotik e/w @ 16/1
3.30 – International Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
I’m going to take a chance on the rag here, Littlefoot. Mark Molloy is having a good season with his small string and he has booked Darragh O’Keefe to ride this son of Milan.
A maiden hurdle winner on soft at Ballinrobe in August 2024 (2m7f, yld-sft), he hasn’t race on properly soft ground in four starts since. After a couple of disappointing efforts in this race last November and then at Naas, he ran a massive race at odds of 80-1 in a valuable race at Punchestown (19.5f, yielding) in April.
His sole start since came over an inadequate 2m at Tipperary 41 days ago and he shaped very nicely to run on strongly for a 1.5l second off a mark of 120. Due to the UK handicap tax he carries 7lb more here but he’s sure to be suited by the step back up in trip and he gets soft ground for the first time since his maiden win.
Littlefoot’s career form figures on soft-heavy read 421, hopefully he can add another 1, 2, 3 or 4 to that sequence on Saturdy.
