12.30 - JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m½f)
This is routinely a strong contest, with Katchit and Defi Du Seuil amongst the honours list, and it's one Paul Nicholls has landed four times in the previous decade.
The Ditcheat handler sends forward likely favourite Hell Red here, fresh from a decisive success on his British bow at Chepstow last month. He won that race fairly much as he liked, with next-time-out Lingfield winner and re-opposing Jersey Girl a long way back in fifth. There's plenty to like about the chances of Harry Cobden's mount taking this step up in class in his stride.
Like Hell Red, David Pipe's Adagio is a French import with a winning British bow under his belt, scoring at Warwick just eight days ago for the in-form Pond House team. He had more than seven lengths to spare but he wasn't great over the hurdles late in the race and similar issues won't go unpunished around here in all probability.
The Skelton brothers won this a year ago with Allmankind and they rely on Uttoxeter winner Cabot Cliffs now. The ex-Flat performer was no match however for DUFFLE COAT in a Listed Wetherby race since and Gordon Elliott's charge is fancied to concede his penalty and become the first Irish-trained winner of this race since Al Eile back in 2003.
He looks a smart prospect and is already 3-3 in this sphere. The stiff finish here should suit him and he can concede his 5lb and carry on his unbeaten ways under Robbie Power here.
1.05 - South West Syndicate Handicap Chase (Conditional Jockeys and Amateur Riders, 3m1f)
Top weight Kilfilum Cross is greatly respected for trainer Henry Oliver. He finished second in the Kim Muir at The Festival here in March and has the benefit of a pipe opener at Fakenham last month, where he finished fourth to aid fitness now. He's got 12st 2lb to defy however and that's burden enough to carry.
LAMANVER PIPPIN earns the nod for the Colin Tizzard team in the hope that he's ready to go on his seasonal return. The yard's runners have generally been needing a start this term but, lately, they are finding their stride more readily and he's got an unexposed profile coming into this.
He won a novices' handicap chase at Chepstow in November last year over just shy of three miles on soft ground on his second start over fences, form that stands up to questioning. He wasn't seen again until March, where he finished a remote third in the National Hunt Chase at The Festival here, seemingly having his stamina found out over that 3m6f marathon.
The excellent Will Biddick retains the ride now and, down in trip, there may well be more to come from the seven-year-old.
Arthur's Gift must jump better on his seasonal return to remain in the mix but Nigel Twiston-Davies' runner appears to be on a fair mark in that scenario and, having tried marathon trips on his two most recent starts, he is another that ought to be well suited over this more conventional journey.
1.40 - From The Horse's Mouth Podcast Novices' Chase (Grade 2, 2m)
He fell short of the top-tier as a 2m hurdler but FUSIL RAFFLES might get there as a chaser.
Bitterly disappointing in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton last year (weak in the market) he would again prove no match for stablemate Epatante when down the field in the Champion here in March.
He made his chasing bow at Uttoxeter in September and scored well, having moved to lead at the last with 13-lengths in hand over the re-opposing Gumball. Philip Hobbs' runner won well back there next time, while Fusil Raffles further enhanced his reputation with a clear-cut C&D success at the Showcase Meeting three weeks ago.
That win was recorded in an impressive time and while the ground is softer now (good to soft-good in places at time of writing), it isn't sufficiently so to cause concern and he's very much the one to beat given his assured jumping so far.
Eldorado Allen made a winning start over fences at Newton Abbot last month for Colin Tizzard and has the chance to build on that without necessarily winning again. He's got more to offer but was well-held over timber last season by Quel Destin.
Paul Nicholls' charge was a dual course winner over timber and operates on any ground. It's something of an unknown for him going chasing for the first time, but he's race-fit after a win on the Flat last month at Bath and the former champion trainer will likely have him primed for this opening test in the next stage of his career.
The filly Zarkareva has won a couple of minor events in Ireland and represents last year's winning trainer/jockey Henry De Bromhead and Aidan Coleman, but the daughter of Authorized is going in deep enough now.
2.15 - Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3, 2m4f)
A trio atop the market for this prestigious contest as Simply The Betts, Mister Fisher and Saint Sonnet scrap for favouritism. Each has claims, though perhaps the Nicholls runner is going to find this white-hot battle a step too far at this stage in his development.
Festival winner Simply The Betts is a perfect 2-2 over these fences and much-respected. He looks the sort to carry on improving this term for Harry Whittington and he's proven to go well fresh. It should be no surprise to see him right in the mix.
Mister Fisher is also a C&D winner and won the Grade 2 Lightning Novices' Chase at Doncaster back in January before a creditable fourth back here at The Festival in the Marsh, a vintage renewal of that race in terms of drama. He, too, is proven off a layoff and deserves his place in the betting.
For a bit of value however it's worth siding with AL DANCER, a length behind Mister Fisher in that Doncaster contest at the start of the year before finishing fifth in the Arkle here.
He took the step up in distance to 2m5f in his stride at Newton Abbot last month on his return, despite looking like he might be in trouble turning for home. He wore down Master Tommytucker impressively, form that was franked by that rival winning easily this week at Huntingdon.
There's more to come from Al Dancer and his trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has an excellent record in this race, winning it four times.
At bigger prices, The Russian Doyen isn't dismissed easily. He was fourth in a Listed Novices' Chase here at the 2019 Festival and ran just once last season, clearly not right when pulled up at Aintree.
Colin Tizzard gave him a satisfactory spin around Fontwell over hurdles last month (third) and from a mark of 138, he's one to note near the foot of the weights.
2.50 - Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle (Listed, 3m)
Tea Clipper has been beaten only once in five career starts and returned with a pleasing success at Chepstow last month. He's raised another 7lb but isn't done yet and Tom Lacey's five-year-old should hold a favourite's chance again.
Veteran Dell' Arca has rediscovered his mojo with recent wins at Aintree and Newbury for David Pipe but it would be a surprise if he lands the quick-fire hat-trick now.
Dandy Man reverts to hurdling from a workable mark having finished second in the Durham National on his recent comeback and is shortlisted for the in-form Kim Bailey team, but this may go the way of unexposed Irish raider MRS MILNER for Paul Nolan.
She won nicely at Galway (2m½f) in July and has since finished third at Ballinrobe (2m6f) in September, doing some good late work after being outpaced at a stage. She could have more to come upped in distance and has an excellent pilot in Robbie Power.
Last year's winner Golan Fortune returns for another crack at this and must find more in a first-time visor, having finished a fair fourth at Aintree seven days ago.
3.25 - Paddy Power First Millionaire Qualifier Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (2m5f)
Captain Tom Cat is on a roll for Dr Richard Newland and completed a hat-trick when scoring at the Showcase Meeting last month under Cillin Leonard. He made plenty of the running in that race and responded well for pressure when asked. He's 6lb higher this afternoon but certainly not overlooked with any certainty.
Nigel Twiston-Davies is always capable of producing winners at this meetings and it could be a good afternoon for the Naunton handler. TOPOFTHECOTSWOLDS has made good strides since returning to hurdling, winning nicely at Uttoxeter in September and then finishing a fair third in a C&D novice contest won by the potentially useful Does He Know last month. He may contest the lead under Sam Twiston-Davies here and is seemingly on a fair mark off 132.
Some doubts still hang over Wincanton winner Shinobi given his Exeter defeat previously and Kim Bailey's four-year-old might be one to tread lightly with given the stiff nature of the finishing test here.
3.55 - Karndean Designflooring Mares' Standard Open NH Flat Race (Listed, 2m½f)
This has the appearance of a smart bumper on paper, with eight of the ten mares already having tasted success in this discipline.
Strong support in the market for UCANAVER would be very much of note. She bolted up on her first run for Anthony Honeyball at Fontwell last month having previously finished second in one start for Adam West at Huntingdon in February (behind another Honeyball inmate and subsequent Listed winner Coquelicot in a strong contest).
Harry Cobden gets the call-up here with Aidan Coleman remaining loyal to Olly Murphy's Market Rasen winner Allavina - who was behind Ucanaver in third at Fontwell previously.
The Honeyball team do so well in this sphere and he should have a strong handle on the form of Elle Est Belle's recent Aintree success as she beat his Taunton winner Windswept Girl into second spot there. Dan Skelton's daughter of Fame And Glory looks quite useful too but Ucanaver just edges the verdict.
Ishkhara Lady defied a long absence to make it 2-2 in bumpers when scoring at Uttoxeter recently and joins Ludlow debut winner Jersey Lady on an extensive shortlist of possible contenders in a cracking race.
ODDS FOR CHELTENHAM MEETING AVAILABLE HERE
18+BeGambleAware
ODDS ARE CORRECT AS OF 13/11/2020 HOWEVER ARE SUBJECT TO FLUCTUATIONS
