The iconic November Meeting continues with a high-class Saturday card featuring competitive handicaps, top-level novices and more key Cheltenham Festival clues.
The demanding track, the famous hill and the strong pace these races often generate make course form and stamina essential ingredients for success.
This guide delivers a complete race-by-race preview, laying out trends, angles and expert betting selections produced by sports betting subscription service Tipman.
MORE: How to bet on horse racing: A complete beginners’ guide
Cheltenham Saturday – Race By Race Tips (15th November)
Race 1 – 12:35pm - JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) – 2m½f)
Precious Man made a big impression on his British debut, travelling strongly before quickening away in the style of a serious Triumph prospect. His jumping was slick for a newcomer, and the form has already been boosted by subsequent winners coming out of the race.
Connections have always thought plenty of him, and the step into Grade 2 company looks the natural progression. Cheltenham’s stiffer finish will suit a horse who hits the line hard, and the stable’s juvenile hurdlers are operating at a 25% strike-rate this month.
Tip: Precious Man – Win Only
Race 2 – 1:10pm - Debenhams Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 3m1f
Sound And Fury has been crying out for this sort of test. His third at Galway last time reads extremely well for this level, staying on strongly over a trip that was barely adequate.
He’s dropped to a mark that looks exploitable based on last season’s efforts, and the switch to an amateur event is a significant positive — he’s partnered by one of the most reliable amateurs in the race. The return to a left-handed track should unlock further improvement, and his stamina is a real asset up the Cheltenham hill.
Tip: Sound And Fury – Each Way
EXPLAINED: Win vs. Each way betting for horse racing
Race 3 – 1:45pm - Paddy Power Arkle Trial Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) – 2m
Burdett Road delivered a polished performance on chase debut, showing athletic, economical jumping and the turn of foot that marked him out as a high-class hurdler.
A Grade 1 juvenile winner last season, he always looked like a horse made for fences, and his schooling reports have been exceptional. He brings the strongest raw ability into this line-up, and the Arkle Trial often falls to classy ex-hurdlers transitioning smoothly to fences. With a strong pace assured, his tactical speed should prove decisive.
Tip: Burdett Road – Each Way
Race 4 – 2:20pm - Paddy Power Gold Cup (Premier Handicap) – 2m4f
Il Ridoto is a Cheltenham specialist and thrives in these big-field handicaps. A dual winner over course and distance and placed in this race previously, he returns off a mark that is entirely workable given his consistency at this level. Paul Nicholls has targeted this race with him once again, and he arrives fit after a prep run that should have him spot on. Il Ridoto jumps for fun and travels strongly — crucial attributes in a race run at a ferocious pace.
Tip: Il Ridoto – Each Way
READ MORE: What does a NAP mean in horse racing?
Race 5 – 2:55pm - From The Horses Mouth Podcast Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) – 3m
Gowel Road is a proven high-class handicapper who often comes to life when fresh. He has an excellent record at Cheltenham and returned to something like his old form during the spring when keeping on strongly in a competitive handicap. Now running off a mark in the low 130s, he looks exceptionally well-treated compared to his peak. Soft ground suits him, and the yard has hit form with several recent winners.
Tip: Gowel Road – Each Way
Race 6 – 3:30pm - Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) – 2m5f
French Ship has progressed quickly since joining his current yard, winning impressively at Aintree and then running a huge race in defeat at Wetherby.
His mark of around 128 still underestimates him based on the figures he clocked last time, and the step up in trip should unlock more improvement. He travels strongly, jumps fluently, and appears exactly the type for this intermediate test: unexposed, progressive and tactically versatile.
Tip: French Ship – Each Way
Race 7 – 4:00pm - Cheltenham Guardians Safeguarding Team Mares’ Open NH Flat Race (Listed) – 2m½f
Edith Pelham has been earmarked as a serious mare from the moment she joined the yard.
She bolted up in a well-run bumper last month, showing an electric turn of foot to settle the race in strides. Her pedigree oozes black-type potential, and she looks physically more forward than most in this division. Listed mares' bumpers often go to those with gears — and Edith Pelham has already demonstrated hers.
Tip: Edith Pelham – Each Way
TipMan Tips Insight: Understanding Cheltenham Form
Cheltenham is unlike any other track. The undulations, the relentless gallop, the long run to the last and the famous climb to the line combine to expose any weaknesses in stamina or jumping. Horses proven here — or those boasting relentless staying qualities — often outperform more fashionable rivals who excel elsewhere.
Ground & Conditions Update
The going is currently good to soft, soft in places. Cheltenham’s New Course places emphasis on accurate jumping, tactical awareness, and staying power — particularly in the longer handicaps and big-field chases.