The Cheltenham November Festival gets underway on Friday with six competitive National Hunt races, headlined by the Grade 2 Shloer Chase. Dual winner Jonbon returns seeking another win, while the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle offers an early chance to assess some exciting prospects for March’s Cheltenham Festival.
Cheltenham November Festival Day One Race Day Information
Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday, 13 November 2026 |
| Racecourse | Cheltenham |
| Course | Old Course |
| Number of races | 6 |
| First Race | 01:10 PM |
| Last Race | 04:00 PM |
| Feature Race | Grade 2 Shloer Chase |
| Going | Good, Good to Soft in places |
| Weather Forecast | Dry |
Cheltenham November Festival Day One Race Schedule
Time | Race | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 01:10 | AIS Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle | 2m4f |
| 01:45 | Paddy Power Novices’ Chase (Listed) | 3m1f |
| 02:20 | Shloer Chase (Grade 2) | 2m |
| 02:55 | Jilly Cooper Veterans’ Handicap Chase | 2m4f |
| 03:30 | Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) | 2m5f |
| 04:00 | Valda Energy Novices’ Handicap Hurdle | 2m½f |
Cheltenham November Festival Day One: Key Stats & Betting Trends
The Shloer Chase has produced familiar winners, with Jonbon successful in 2023 and 2024. Younger chasers have traditionally dominated, with nine of the last ten winners aged between six and eight.
The Grade 2 Hyde Novices’ Hurdle also has a notable age trend, with five-year-olds winning 18 of the last 20 renewals.
Cheltenham Official Going: Good, Good to Soft in Places
With little rainfall forecast, conditions should favour horses comfortable on a sound surface. Prominent runners could hold an advantage throughout Friday’s card.
Cheltenham November Festival Day One Betting Trends
- Trend 1: Jonbon’s Shloer Chase Record
Jonbon won consecutive renewals in 2023 and 2024 before finishing runner-up to L’Eau Du Sud in 2025. However, quicker ground and his advancing age present potential concerns.
- Trend 2: Dan Skelton’s Strong Record
Since 2016, Dan Skelton has saddled seven winners from 15 runners in non-handicap chases at Cheltenham’s November Meeting.
- Trend 3: Front-Runners Have Thrived
Since 2017, 13 of the 40 handicap chases at the meeting have been won by front-runners, representing 32.5% of winners.
Cheltenham November Festival Day One Race-by-Race Preview & Betting Tips
1:10 – AIS Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
- Distance: 2m4f | Class: 3
Dan Skelton’s Glancing Jack has attracted significant market support ahead of his stable debut, shortening to 15/8 favouritism. However, those odds make him worth opposing in a competitive handicap.
James Owen’s High Fibre is interesting following his fourth in the Cesarewitch, while unbeaten Outmaster could improve considerably on his handicap debut.
Preference is for Henry de Bromhead’s CHUTZPAL, who produced an encouraging performance over this trip at Listowel in September.
His best form has come on a sound surface, and his attacking, front-running style could prove particularly effective around Cheltenham. With experienced conditional Patrick O’Brien aboard, he looks overpriced.
- Betting Verdict: CHUTZPAL – 20/1 (Each-Way)
1:45 – Paddy Power Novices’ Chase
- Distance: 3m1f | Class: Listed
The withdrawal of Derryhassen Paddy due to unsuitable ground conditions strengthens the claims of KING’S BUCKS, who looks capable of opening his chasing account.
Henry de Bromhead’s gelding finished third behind No Drama This End at this meeting last year before producing a promising chasing debut at Galway, finishing runner-up to Karl Des Tourelles.
He jumped fluently throughout and appeared the likely winner before fitness became an issue. That experience should bring him forward considerably.
D Art D Art looks the main danger, having already defeated Grade 1-winning hurdler Hiddenvalley Lake over fences. His recent Gowran Park appearance should also have sharpened him up.
- Betting Verdict: KING’S BUCKS – 9/4 (Win)
2:20 – Shloer Chase (Grade 2)
- Distance: 2m | Class: Grade 2 | Feature Race
Dual winner Jonbon commands respect, but quicker ground, his advancing age and Cheltenham’s demanding configuration make him worth opposing.
Preference is for GIDLEIGH PARK, who has demonstrated considerable ability despite an interrupted chasing career.
A high-class novice hurdler, he produced an outstanding performance when defeating Caldwell Potter in the Grade 2 Lightning Novices’ Chase at Windsor.
Although disappointing behind Jonbon at Ascot, a summer break could have freshened him up considerably.
With little obvious competition for the early lead, Gidleigh Park could dictate matters from the front. A repeat of his Windsor performance would make him difficult to catch.
- Key Race Stat: Nine of the last ten Shloer Chase winners were aged between six and eight.
- Betting Verdict: GIDLEIGH PARK – 10/3 (Win)
2:55 – Jilly Cooper Veterans’ Handicap Chase
- Distance: 2m4f | Class: 2
Former Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Ga Law has slipped considerably in the handicap, but his recent form raises concerns.
He finished 24 lengths behind TRIPLE TRADE on his latest appearance and needs to rediscover some of his old ability.
Joe Tizzard’s ten-year-old arrives following an impressive victory over Tommy’s Oscar at Market Rasen, earning just a 2lb rise.
Crucially, Triple Trade won at this meeting last year and has demonstrated his ability to handle Cheltenham’s demanding track.
Copperhead is another interesting contender at around 40/1. The veteran enjoyed a productive spell in 2024 and early 2025, and his handicap mark gives him each-way possibilities.
However, Triple Trade’s recent form and proven course record make him the selection.
- Betting Verdict: TRIPLE TRADE – 7/2 (Win)
3:30 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
- Distance: 2m5f | Class: Grade 2
Woodstock Octo arrives following his October Cheltenham victory, although he benefited from Road To Wembley’s costly mistake at the final flight.
Dan Skelton’s Divine Diva also commands respect, but preference is for Nigel Twiston-Davies’ FEROCIMO.
A point-to-point winner, Ferocimo created an excellent impression on his debut under rules, travelling strongly before quickening clear of more experienced rivals.
He looks a potentially smart novice, and his trainer won this contest with Potters Charm in 2024.
Former Flat performer Dallas Star is another to consider, although he must improve considerably on his latest Limerick effort.
- Key Race Stat: Five-year-olds have won 18 of the last 20 renewals, presenting a challenge for four-year-old Ferocimo.
- Betting Verdict: FEROCIMO – 3/1 (Win)
4:00 – Valda Energy Novices’ Handicap Hurdle
- Distance: 2m½f | Class: 3
Eighteen runners contest Friday’s finale, with Crooked Park an obvious contender following his encouraging third at Cheltenham last month.
The James Owen-trained gelding endured a troubled passage and could improve considerably with a cleaner round of jumping.
However, preference is for Tony Martin’s EBEN ZAABEEL, who looks potentially well treated on his handicap debut.
An opening mark of 117 could underestimate this unexposed five-year-old, particularly given Martin’s excellent record with handicap hurdlers at the November Meeting.
Dan King takes the ride, adding further encouragement to his claims.
Dan Skelton’s Sytadel is feared following a narrow defeat at Carlisle, while recent Kelso winner Tuppence could also have more improvement to offer.
- Betting Verdict: EBEN ZAABEEL – 4/1 (Each-Way)
Final Thoughts: Cheltenham November Festival Day One
The opening day promises plenty of competitive action, with GIDLEIGH PARK fancied to upset Jonbon in the Shloer Chase. Elsewhere, CHUTZPAL appeals at generous each-way odds, while KING’S BUCKS and TRIPLE TRADE hold strong claims.
Looking ahead to the remainder of the National Hunt season, FEROCIMO could prove one of the most exciting prospects to emerge from Friday’s card.
