ITV's coverage of the three-day Cheltenham November Meeting gets underway on Friday, 13th November, with the four-race broadcast headlined by the Grade Two Shloer Chase.
We have gone through all televised races on ITV this Friday, picking out ITV horse racing tips, and an accumulator for ITV racing.
The ITV coverage of the Cheltenham November meeting kicks off with the Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Novices Chase, run over three miles and a furlong. Derryhassen Paddy deserves respect at the top of the betting, while Follow Your Luck should run a big race on his return to Cheltenham after finishing ahead of the market leader over the same distance last month.
Kingston Narcissus looks like the most interesting betting angle for the Dan and Harry Skelton combination. The seven-year-old has finished second in three of his five starts over fences, and was slightly underwhelming last time when third behind Crebilly at Wetherby.
However, this step back up in trip should see him in a better light. Was only beaten a neck by Queensbury Boy in the Summer Plate Handicap Chase at Market Rasen in July. Kingston Narcissus was unlucky on that day, as he was impeded by a faller four out when building up momentum to challenge.
That form appears to hold some strength, with the winner subsequently finishing a close four in the Sodexo Live! Regal Encore Handicap Chase at Ascot last month.
The feature at Cheltenham on Friday is the two-mile Grade Two Shloer Chase. Jonbon will be targeting a third win in four years in the race, but the Nicky Henderson stable star may likely want further than two miles these days, and his record around Cheltenham is hardly reliable.
Therefore, the improving Gidleigh Park could be a standout chance for the in-form Harry Fry. The eight-year-old has won once from six starts over fences and was an excellent winner over two miles on his only attempt at the distance, taking the Grade Two Lightning Novices’ Chase at Windsor.
Handles Cheltenham after winning the Grade Two Alloys Novices’ Hurdle on Trials Day in January 2024.
Next up is the Jilly Cooper Veterans’ Handicap Chase, run over two miles and four furlongs.
Triple Trade looks like an excellent chance at the weights, especially with a return effort under his belt after seeing off the race-fit Tommy’s Oscar at Market Rasen.
Typically goes well at Cheltenham, highlighted by a win at this meeting 12 months ago, before finishing third at the December meeting and third on Trial’s Day.
Gets plenty of weight from his rivals on Friday, and Joe Tizzard’s form has been red-hot over the last two weeks, striking at 23%.
A fascinating renewal of the Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle is set for 15:30, with a distance of two miles and five furlongs being covered.
Woodstock Octo is an exciting contender for trainer Kayley Woollacott. The six-year-old was an excellent winner over three miles at the October meeting at Cheltenham, finishing two lengths clear of Road To Wembley.
That was a striking first impression over hurdles after winning six from nine starts in points, and will likely show more after that reappearance following a five-month break.
Some substance to his point wins, carrying penalties to huge success on two occasions, including when beating Reflex Action by seven lengths at Dunsmore. Handles the track, and will be suited by ground conditions.
