Ratings Update: the Cheltenham November meeting

Defi du Seuil was one of last season’s leading novice chasers, twice successful at Grade 1 level, and he produced a career best to win on his return in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham on Sunday, improving his rating to 167p (from 164p).

Defi du Seuil may have been receiving 3 lb from his chief rival Politologue, and his task was made more straightforward when that opponent wasn’t fluent at the last fence, but he still shaped as if the best horse in the race, impressing with the turn of foot he showed in testing conditions.

He wasn’t ideally positioned in a slowly-run race which turned into a game of cat and mouse, with the quartet all holding a chance entering the straight. However, not for the first time, Defi du Seuil produced a telling burst after the last, the victory auguring well for his prospects at the highest level later in the season. He heads the betting for the Tingle Creek at Sandown next month and has to be considered a leading player.

Winner of the JLT Novices' Chase at #TheFestival back in March, DEFI DU SEUIL (11/8) shows a great turn of foot after the last to win the (Grade 2) Shloer Chase at @CheltenhamRaces, for @BarryJGeraghty and Philip Hobbs!

(🎥 @itvracing)pic.twitter.com/CH4GpQqGhH

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) November 17, 2019

The Arkle Trial on the same card is often an informative affair and this year’s edition was an intriguing race, featuring a rematch between Al Dancer and Getaway Trump. However, both chasers failed to meet expectations and were left to chase home Put The Kettle On (139 from 138), who put her experience to good use, jumping well under a well-judged front-running ride. Her excellent jumping technique, tough attitude and ability to handle testing ground will stand her in good stead throughout the winter.

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Trial is form that should be viewed more positively as it was run in a virtually identical time to the Greatwood, and the inexperienced winner, Hang In There (139p from 127p), looks the type to keep improving with racing. He is more of a chaser than hurdler on looks, and was on his toes in the paddock, so it bodes well that he was capable of showing such form on just his third completed start over obstacles. He looks a smart prospect and is one to keep on the right side.

The Greatwood Hurdle hardly looked like a stellar edition, certainly not of the same standard as last year when Silver Streak and Verdana Blue hit the frame, but it produced an exciting finish. Harambe (138 from 132) had promised to be suited by the demands posed by a competitive two-mile handicap hurdle and he duly showed improved form to edge out Gumball (148 from 147) and Monsieur Lecoq. Gumball was ridden with more restraint than when winning at Ascot and the strength with which he finished his race suggested he’d have benefited from having more use made of him. He remains one to note.

An inclusion in Timeform's '50 To Follow' for the 2019/20 season, HARAMBE (16/1) swoops late to take the (Grade 3) Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at @CheltenhamRaces, for Alan King & Tom Bellamy! 🏇

(🎥@itvracing)pic.twitter.com/f7FpFxTgpY

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) November 17, 2019

Happy Diva (147 from 145) was unluckily brought down when going well in the BetVictor Gold Cup last year but gained compensation on Saturday, showing a likeable attitude on the run-in to fend off Brelan D’As.

Whether she would have prevailed had the strong-travelling Slate House (152p from 145p) not fallen at the second-last is up for debate, however. Slate House, the 4-1 favourite, had failed to impress with his jumping but made smooth headway before the straight and looked a big threat at the time of his departure. He has the option of dropping back into novice company and that could be tempting for connections as the likelihood of small fields and races run at a slower tempo will be in his favour.

The meeting – which was a reduced two-day affair after the Friday was washed away – kicked off with a Grade 2 novices’ hurdle, which was won in authoritative style by Thyme Hill (140p). He was one of last season’s leading bumpers performers and had created a favourable impression on his hurdling debut at Chepstow last month. He didn’t need to improve on the form of the Chepstow success but looks capable of doing so if required. He can make an impact at the highest level.

Smart performance from the @PJHobbs1-trained THYME HILL, who draws clear on the run-in to take the (Grade 2) Ballymore Novices Hurdle at @CheltenhamRaces, with @dickyjohnson77 on board!

A perfect 2 wins from 2 starts over hurdles ✅

(🎥@CheltenhamRaces)pic.twitter.com/aN4kAtlYYs

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) November 16, 2019

The following Grade 2 juvenile hurdle was won by Allmankind (131p from 117), who faced a different examination to when winning on less testing ground around Warwick, but coped admirably with the stiffer test of stamina. He stayed on strongly, justifying good support, to win in a time that compared well with the other hurdle races on the card. It’s early days in the juvenile division but he is clearly taking high rank and could yet do even better.

Wholestone (146p) didn’t have to better his previous form to win the novice chase, while Jatiluwih (138 from 136) took another step forward to complete the five-timer, making a successful handicap debut with something to spare. He will merit respect in a more valuable handicap next time.