The Cheltenham November Festival concludes on Sunday with another competitive afternoon of National Hunt racing, headlined by the prestigious Greatwood Handicap Hurdle. With six races featuring promising novices, progressive chasers and established handicappers, there are plenty of betting opportunities and potential Cheltenham Festival clues.
Cheltenham November Festival Day Three Race Day Information
Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, 15 November 2026 |
| Racecourse | Cheltenham |
| Course | Old Course |
| Number of races | 6 |
| First Race | 12:50 PM |
| Last Race | 03:45 PM |
| Feature Race | Greatwood Hurdle |
| Going | Good, Good to Soft in places |
| Weather Forecast | Cold and dry |
Cheltenham November Festival Day Three Race Schedule
Time | Race | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 12:50 | mallardjewellers.com Maiden Hurdle | 2m½f |
| 01:25 | WKD Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase | 2m4f |
| 02:00 | Weatherite Air Conditioning Handicap Chase | 2m |
| 02:35 | Oddschecker Handicap Chase | 3m3½f |
| 03:10 | Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle | 2m½f |
| 03:45 | Three Counties Christmas Open NH Flat Race | 2m½f |
Cheltenham November Festival Day Three: Key Stats & Betting Trends
The Greatwood Hurdle is Sunday’s standout betting contest, with progressive younger hurdlers historically enjoying considerable success. All of the last 23 winners were aged seven or younger, while five-year-olds have accounted for six of the last ten renewals.
Previous Cheltenham experience and handicap form are also worth considering, particularly in a race that has regularly produced future Graded performers.
Cheltenham Official Going: Good, Good to Soft in Places
Conditions remain unchanged heading into the final day, with the going officially described as Good, Good to Soft in places. Horses racing prominently could once again hold an advantage on the sound surface.
Cheltenham November Festival Day Three Betting Trends
- Trend 1: Younger Horses Dominate
Eight of the last ten Greatwood Hurdle winners were aged between four and six, with five-year-olds responsible for six victories.
- Trend 2: Favourites Have Struggled
Alexei’s victory in 2025 was the only success for a favourite in the last ten renewals. Dan Skelton has won the race twice during that period, with North Hill Harvey in 2016 and West Cork in 2021.
- Trend 3: Course Form and Handicap Ratings
Eight of the last 12 winners had previously raced at Cheltenham, while nine were rated between 133 and 145.
Cheltenham November Festival Day Three Race-by-Race Preview & Betting Tips
12:50 – mallardjewellers.com Maiden Hurdle
- Distance: 2m½f | Class: 2
Fourteen maidens contest Sunday’s opener, with Tony Martin’s En Or likely to be prominent in the betting following his runner-up finish behind Dallas Star at Navan. However, he remains an 11-race maiden and looks vulnerable against less exposed opposition.
Preference is for Fergal O’Brien’s GET OUT OF MY WAY, who narrowly failed to reel in Kershaw on his hurdling debut at Perth.
The form has since worked out well, with fourth-placed Sea Eagle winning impressively next time. The beaten favourite had also previously finished runner-up to the exciting Skerry Hill at the Scottish Grand National Festival.
With that experience behind him and further improvement likely, Get Out Of My Way looks capable of getting punters off to a winning start.
- Betting Verdict: GET OUT OF MY WAY (Win)
1:25 – WKD Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
- Distance: 2m4f | Class: 3
Four Springs commands respect following an impressive seasonal return at Southwell, where he defied 12th and shaped as though further improvement was likely.
However, SPECTACULARSUNRISE gets the vote to make amends for his unfortunate departure at Cheltenham’s Showcase Meeting.
The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained gelding was two lengths clear when falling at the final fence, having previously impressed on his chasing debut at Perth in September.
A 2lb rise should not prevent another bold showing, particularly with his ability to handle Cheltenham already established.
The Grey Ghost is feared following his latest Ascot victory, while Pourquoi Pas Papa should improve for his seasonal reappearance.
Providing his jumping holds together, Spectacularsunrise looks capable of gaining compensation.
- Betting Verdict: SPECTACULARSUNRISE – 8/1 (Each-Way)
2:00 – Weatherite Air Conditioning Handicap Chase
- Distance: 2m | Class: 3
Milan Tino arrives following a narrow victory at Huntingdon, where a significant mistake two-out failed to prevent him from holding off Rumoursareflying. A 3lb rise looks potentially lenient.
However, preference is for Dan Skelton’s SHAKEYATAILFEATHER, who brings proven Cheltenham form into the contest.
A previous course winner, he produced an encouraging third behind Vanderpoel at Ascot and competes from the same handicap mark.
With the Skelton stable in excellent form, his course experience could prove particularly valuable.
Tour Ovalie is another serious contender following an impressive Chepstow victory, although a 7lb rise makes this a tougher assignment.
Shakeyatailfeather looks well placed to return to winning ways.
- Betting Verdict: SHAKEYATAILFEATHER – 5/1 (Each-Way)
2:35 – Oddschecker Handicap Chase
- Distance: 3m3½f | Class: Premier Handicap
Cheltenham Festival winner Ask Brewster returns from a mark 7lb higher than his March success, but the prevailing ground conditions look firmly in his favour.
The Welsh raider relishes a sound surface and could prove difficult to catch if allowed an uncontested lead.
However, strong preference is for the Jamie and Josh Moore-trained HAVALIA, who has thrived since switching to fences and stepping up in distance.
The progressive seven-year-old seeks a fourth consecutive victory after completing his hat-trick with a determined success in the bet365 Chase at Sandown.
His stamina and willingness under pressure should prove valuable around Cheltenham, particularly if the race develops into a thorough test.
With further improvement likely, Havalia looks capable of extending his winning sequence.
- Betting Verdict: HAVALIA – 3/1 (Win)
3:10 – Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle
- Distance: 2m½f | Class: Premier Handicap
Twenty runners line up for Sunday’s feature, with several progressive hurdlers holding strong claims.
Let It Rain should attract considerable support on her seasonal reappearance. The lightly raced mare has plenty of improvement in her, although settling early under Harry Skelton could prove crucial.
However, preference is for IDAHO SUN, who makes his handicap debut from a mark of 142.
The Harry Fry-trained gelding has not raced since defeating Mydaddypaddy in the Grade 1 Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree, a performance that marked him down as a potentially top-class prospect.
His opening rating demands another significant effort, particularly against experienced handicappers, but his Grade 1-winning form suggests he could be better than his current mark.
Despite the absence, Idaho Sun has the potential to develop into a leading Graded performer this season.
- Key Race Stat: Handicap debutants have won ten of the last 20 Greatwood Hurdles.
- Betting Verdict: IDAHO SUN – 4/1 (Win)
3:45 – Three Counties Christmas Open NH Flat Race
- Distance: 2m½f | Class: Listed
The Festival concludes with an intriguing Listed bumper, where market support could prove particularly informative given the limited experience of several runners.
Preference is for NEW GRANGE, representing last year’s winning trainer, Thomas Cooper.
The four-year-old impressed when winning on his debut under rules at Listowel, with the runner-up subsequently boosting the form.
He had previously won his point-to-point by 24 lengths, suggesting his Listowel performance was no surprise.
Harry Cobden takes the ride, renewing the combination that landed this contest with Saint Clovis last season.
Willie Mullins’ Berkstar commands respect as the trainer’s sole runner across the meeting, although the form of his latest victory remains unconvincing.
New Grange looks a promising prospect capable of providing Cooper with consecutive victories.
- Betting Verdict: NEW GRANGE (Win)
Final Thoughts: Cheltenham Day Three Betting Preview
The November Festival concludes with the Greatwood Hurdle taking centre stage, where IDAHO SUN looks an exciting handicap debutant. Elsewhere, SPECTACULARSUNRISE can make amends for his October fall, while HAVALIA is fancied to continue his progression over fences.
Looking ahead, Idaho Sun and NEW GRANGE are two promising youngsters worth following throughout the National Hunt season.
