The Cheltenham November meeting: Five To Keep On Your Side

There is some tremendous racing at Cheltenham over the next three days, with the feature being the BetVictor Gold Cup at 2.25 on Saturday.

Here are five horses to keep an eye on over the three days, including one in that £160,000 showpiece:

Horse: A Hare Breath

Race: BetVictor Handicap Chase (1.50, Friday)

General odds: 7-2

A Hare Breath ran disappointingly on his final two starts last season, but the ten-year-old's record when fresh is compelling.

As a consequence of his lacklustre end to the campaign, he is now just 1lb higher than his victory in a competitive handicap hurdle at Sandown on his seasonal debut last season, the form of which has worked out well.

His form figures after a 200-plus day break read 12141, with the fourth being in the Greatwood Hurdle at this meeting in 2016, and this is likely to have been the target for some time.

He has not run over fences since finishing down the field in the Arkle in 2017 but must have schooled well recently for connections to pitch him in a race of this nature at Cheltenham.

He is relatively lightly-raced for his age, won at this meeting in 2015 and two miles is ideal for him.

Horse: Sharp Response

Race: BetVictor.com Handicap Chase (1.50, Saturday)

General odds: 16-1

Sharp Response looked a stayer going places when winning a 3m2f handicap chase at Carlisle in October and is worth chancing at 16-1 in this staying contest.

The seven-year-old was strong at the finish that day so the step up in trip will not be a hinderance, and he remains unexposed over longer trips.

He has an 11lb higher mark to contend with now so will need a career best, but there should be more to come from him and has only had five starts over fences.

Horse: Baron Alco

Race: BetVictor Gold Cup (2.25, Saturday)

General odds: 11-1

I have backed Benatar ante-post for this race and he looks sure to run a big race, but I cannot let his stablemate Baron Alco go unbacked after his promising run behind Charbel at Chepstow in October afer a long absence.

Gary Moore’s seven-year-old is yet to finish out of the first three in seven starts over fences and finished second in a Grade Three handicap chase at the Festival off a rating of 146 on his final start before his layoff.

The bounce factor is a worry, but if that is not a factor then there is no reason why he should not go close off the same mark.

Horse: Christmas In April

Race: BetVictor Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (3.30, Saturday)

General odds: 16-1

Christmas In April caught the eye when third in a similar handicap over course and distance in October, where he was shuffled back at a crucial stage before staying on again in the closing stages.

That was his first start for his new yard since leaving Nicky Henderson and was also his seasonal debut, so he should have improved for the run.

He has raced keenly in the past but seemed to settle better last time in a strongly run race, which was encouraging.

He looks overpriced at 16-1 and Colin Tizzard, his trainer, has been operating at a strike rate of 32 per cent in the past fortnight.

Horse: Western Ryder

Race: Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (3.00, Sunday)

General odds: 8-1

Western Ryder has been supported in recent days for the feature race on day three, but still rates a fair bet at 8-1.

Things didn’t go to plan for Warren Greatrex’s six-year-old last season after his defeat of Lalor and Summerville Boy at Cheltenham in December, but he still ran some respectable races in defeat in Grade One company.

A strong pace is sure to suit, and the good to soft ground ought to be in his favour with no rain forecast at the Gloucestershire venue before Sunday.

I am confident he has a big prize in him this season and he can exploit a rating of 145.