The weekend just gone was memorable on the jumping front, with quality action on both sides of the Irish Sea. Cheltenham’s November Meeting grabbed the headlines on British shores, whilst a clutch of Graded class affairs from Navan lit up the Emerald Isle.
The headline acts from Prestbury Park and County Meath were all fine prizes in their own right. However, as will prove to be a running theme throughout the season, much of the talk in the aftermath concerned where the winners may line up at the Cheltenham Festival.
Here, we look at the standout performances from a stellar weekend and the resulting impact on the Ante Post markets for the most magical four days of the year.
Jonbon – Shloer Chase
The feature race on the opening day of Cheltenham’s November Meeting looked little more than a penalty kick for this Nicky Henderson-trained star. Facing only three rivals, the JP McManus-owned eight-year-old was six pounds and more clear of the field on ratings and boasted a 3-0 head-to-head record against the only other Grade 1 winner in the lineup.
Nevertheless, penalty kicks must still be converted, and Jonbon isn’t immune to fluffing such an opportunity, having been turned over at odds of 1/4 in the 2024 Clarence House Chase. Thankfully, for odds on supporters, there were no such mishaps this time. Whilst likely to be a little short of peak fitness on his seasonal return, Jonbon jumped immaculately throughout before showing a willing attitude to stay on resolutely for one-and-a-half length success. Stiffer challenges await, but with his well-being confirmed, he remains the general 3/1 favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Potters Charm – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
On paper, this Grade 2 affair presented a fascinating head-to-head clash between the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Potters Charm and Dan Skelton’s Valgrande. Both runners scored at this track on their previous outing, but the market was most impressed by the 17-length romp of Valgrande, who started as the 5/6f.
Tussling at the head of affairs from the off, Potters Charm and Valgrande seemed intent on delivering the hoped-for clash. The pair remained locked together for much of the 2m5f trip, but that all changed in the straight. Once asked to go and win his race, Potters Charm produced an electrifying finishing effort to leave his rivals trailing in his wake. Careering way to score by an eased-down 11 lengths, the mount of Sam Twiston-Davies muscled his way to the head of the domestic novice hurdle division. He’s now into 14/1 for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle on Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival.
East India Dock – JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle
The Gredley Family have enjoyed a fruitful time in this race, thanks to the wins of Allmankind (2019) and Burdett Road (2023). 2024 saw this half-brother to the 2023 winner add his name to the list.
Reaching a rating of 90 on the flat, this ex-James Fanshawe runner looked like an exciting addition to James Owen’s juvenile hurdle squad. Scoring in smooth style on hurdles debut at Wincanton did his reputation no harm, but this display suggested a horse of real star potential. Barely out of first gear throughout, he sauntered clear in the straight to score by an ever-widening 18 lengths. Slashed from 33/1 for the Triumph Hurdle in the aftermath of the race, he is now as short as 7/1 in places.
L’Eau du Sud – Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase
This Dan Skelton star reached a solid level of form over hurdles but always looked likely to thrive once tackling a fence. Two runs into his chase career, he has already backed up that view. Kicking off with a 10-length romp at Stratford, he responded to the step up to Grade 2 company by slamming a useful field by an effortless 11 lengths. This performance ranks as the best display by a two-mile British novice this season and saw his odds for the Arkle Chase crash into a best price of 10/1.
The Yellow Clay – John Lynch Carpets & Flooring Monksfield Novice Hurdle
Despite running with credit in three Graded Bumpers last term, this Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old ended the campaign with a zero from three record. Two starts into his hurdles career, he is a perfect two from two, with those victories coming by a combined total of 19 lengths.
A nine-length romp in his maiden at Down Royal was no more than expected, but this 10-length demolition of a promising Grade 3 was much more impressive. Whilst there were a couple of minor errors in the jumping department, they made little impact on his relentless, powerful gallop. Looking to have plenty left in the tank at the end of this 2m4f, stepping up to three miles may see him in an even better light. Sired by superstar stayer Yeats, he is now a general 12/1 favourite for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.