Ratings Update: Cheltenham November Meeting

Cheltenham’s three-day November Meeting got underway on Friday and the undoubted star of the opening day was Finian’s Oscar (150P from 143P), who maintained his unbeaten record over fences in the two and a half mile novice chase. It was an intriguing contest, and the three involved should all be viewed positively. The runner-up Movewiththetimes (up 5 lb to 138p) looked to steal the initiative when pressing on two out, but Finian’s Oscar quickened again to lead in the final 100 yards and was well on top at the line. He jumped only adequately, but Finian’s Oscar has the ability to go a long way over fences, and is likely to be seen too much better advantage in a more truly-run contest. Movewiththetimes is yet to run in a race over fences that has seen him to best effect and is one to keep an eye on moving forward.

The Grade 2 novice hurdle which brought a close to proceedings on Friday was a well up to scratch renewal. The winner On The Blind Side (137p from 124p) built on the promise of his hurdling debut win, though was perhaps slightly flattered, going nowhere down the hill but able to pick off Momella (remains on 127) and Poetic Rhythm (up 5 lb to 139), who had jousted for the advantage from some way out, in the final 50 yards. On The Blind Side has quickly shown a useful level of form and almost certainly has more to offer, particularly as his stamina is further tested.

With Gumball's (132 from 132p) jumping letting him down and Speedo Boy (121 from 121p) seeming to find the ground against him, the Triumph Hurdle Trial on Saturday wasn't a race that took much winning, but there was a lot to like about the style of victory from Apple’s Shakira (136p from 117p). Successful over hurdles at Vichy on her debut in May (for Emmanuel Clayeux), she made a taking start in Britain and, though the form isn’t easy to pin down, she looks an exciting prospect and is entitled to be at the head of the Triumph Hurdle market at this stage.

Perfect Candidate (up 3 lb to 156) had his optimum conditions in a surprisingly uncompetitive renewal of the valuable BetVictor Handicap Chase, and produced a career best to win by a neck from Vicente (up 3 lb to 153). Perfect Candidate’s reappearance had clearly sharpened him up and, for all he’s a likeable type, he will likely prove vulnerable off higher marks. Vicente was strong in the betting and proved at least as good as ever, travelling strongly but losing momentum when making a mistake at the last. He's entered in the Becher next month and connections will probably be keen to try him again over the National fences (fell at the first in this year's Grand National).

The BetVictor Gold Cup was hardly a vintage renewal, and several weren’t at their best, but it was a tremendous race to watch. Splash of Ginge (138§ from 131§) may not be the most reliable, but he makes in count when on a going day, nothing wrong with his attitude on this occasion, all out to beat Starchitect (remains on 149) by a neck. How Splash of Ginge will go next time isn’t easy to predict, however. Starchitect ran a cracker and might well have won had he jumped better in the straight, while the third Le Prezien (151 from 151p) ran up to his best, though he did a lot wrong and surely has a better performance in him if it all comes together.

A third win @CheltenhamRaces for Splash Of Ginge who causes an upset in the @BetVictor Gold Cup #TheNovemberMeeting▶️https://t.co/7iJOPsvjqx pic.twitter.com/5i7rFlBExy

— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) November 18, 2017

Thomas Campbell (up 1 lb to 150p) followed up his reappearance win from a 10 lb higher mark in the listed handicap hurdle, admittedly with a very good conditional taking 7 lb off, but he’s proving a most progressive stayer. Kk Lexion (remains on 131) and Dell’ Arca (down 1 lb to 143), both of whom raced on the inside (what transpired to be a huge disadvantage) had no chance, making the race less competitive, but Thomas Campbell is certainly a horse to be positive about moving forward.

An even smaller field than usual went to post for the Arkle Trial on Sunday, a race in which North Hill Harvey (up 5 lb to 146p) defied a penalty to make it two from two over fences. He was aided by the underperformance of River Wylde (140p from 143p), who seemed unsuited by the soft ground (only second ever run on ground worse than good to soft), but North Hill Harvey impressed with his jumping and looks a very smart novice chaser in the making. The Kingmaker at Warwick (yard does well there) in the New Year would appeal as an ideal Cheltenham tee-up. River Wylde remains capable of better granted more suitable conditions.

Fox Norton (remains on 170) took his form to a new level towards the back end of last season and fully confirmed he is a top-class chaser with his smooth reappearance victory in the Shloer Chase, beating Cloudy Dream (159 from 160+) by eight lengths. With Altior currently on the sidelines, he looks the leading home-trained contender for top 2m chases this winter. Cloudy Dream was running here as an afterthought (having missed his intended target of the BetVictor Gold Cup due to an entries mix-up) and ran respectably on form, though the rain-softened conditions did seem to blunt his usual strong-travelling style. He remains likely to be suited by the demands of a well-run valuable handicap.

The Greatwood was rendered rather unsatisfactory thanks mainly to the heavy rain the track had endured the previous day, which led not only to a couple of non-runners, but also handed the advantage to those who took the wide route. However, Elgin (up 7 lb to 150), a progressive young hurdler, raised his game to reverse earlier form with Misterton (142 from 133) and land his second valuable handicap of the season. A strong-travelling sort, he’ll remain a force in races of this type. Stablemate William H Bonney (134+ from 128), who finished further back in fifth, emerged with the most credit the way the race went, doing best of those who didn't go around the outer.

Slate House (131p from 123P) won a very-muddling renewal of the Supreme Hurdle Trial, showing exactly why he has a big reputation, duly progressing from his Rules debut win over the same C&D to take the step up in grade in his stride. Admittedly, he had the run of things out in front, but he has a likeable way of going about things, and probably saved something for himself. He will be suited by at least two and a half miles, and it’d be no surprise to see him up in trip sooner rather than later.

Over in Ireland, the 2015 Champion Hurdle winner Faugheen (remains on 176) made his long-awaited return in the Morgiana Hurdle, and it was straight back to business as usual, posting a high-class effort ridden from the front. He faced opposition outside the top bracket, but was significantly strong in the market, and could hardly have done more to suggest all of his ability is intact in running his rivals ragged. It must be pointed out that history is against him in his quest to win another Champion Hurdle, as no horse has ever reclaimed the crown after a two-year gap and no ten-year-old has won the race for well over 30 years, but he's an exceptional talent and still very lightly raced for his age.