Five horses who caught the eye at Cheltenham's November Meeting

Race: Third in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (3.30, Friday).

You could not help but be impressed with the way No Drama This End cruised to victory in this Grade Two Novices' Hurdle on Friday, with an emotional Paul Nicholls full of praise for his youngster afterwards. The form has plenty of substance, too, with Weatherbys Champion Bumper runner-up, Heads Up, chasing him home.

The third, King's Bucks, also shaped with bundles of promise in defeat, and looks to have a bright future based on this evidence.

Henry de Bromhead's charge raced in midfield, and didn't quite have the pace of the front two turning for home. However, he stayed on nicely in the closing stages, and this point-to-point winner looks set to prosper over 2m5f-plus. 

He'd shaped with promise in two starts under rules over inadequate trips prior to this outing, and is now a best-priced 33-1 for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. 

Not that you could probably tell on Racing TV on Friday thanks to the wet weather, but Henry de Bromhead's charge has plenty about him physically, and is clearly a horse for the future, especially as he's from the family of Cyrname. He should have no problem getting off the mark this season.

Race: Second in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (12.35, Saturday).

It is noteworthy that Dan Skelton decided to unleash his new recruit in a Triumph Trial on his first start in Britain, and Precious Man attracted strong support ahead of Saturday's opener.

That was no surprise given his Auteuil form is strong, and he arrived here under a penalty having won the second of his two outings in France six months ago. 

The three-year-old raced keenly in last before travelling powerfully into contention, and looked set to catch the winner, One Horse Town, turning for home. His early exuberance, and awkward jump at the last, took a toll, though, and he found only a rival with more experience, and race fitness on his side, too good. 

Given the circumstances, this was a hugely promising effort from Precious Man who recorded a RaceiQ Jump Index Score of 7.9/10, and gained 7.62 lengths via his jumping.

He also lost both front shoes, and suffered an overreach plus is certain to strip fitter for this effort. A best-priced 20-1 for the JCB Triumph Hurdle is probably fair, and he also has the option of the Fred Winter.

A bigger field, and a stronger pace, on better ground is likely to help, too, and he's one to keep on side following this performance.

Race: Fourth in the Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (3.30, Saturday).

Royal Infantry looked to hold strong claims on paper although, in hindsight, carrying 12st to victory in testing conditions was a tough ask. 

He travelled nicely throughout and was in striking distance of the winner turning for home, but quickly faded after the last.

The three contenders who finished in front of him all had 10st 8lb or less to carry, and it is probably worth forgiving what appeared a below-par performance from this promising hurdler. 

He fared best of the British in last year's Weatherbys Champion Bumper and had various excuses for his defeats after bolting up at Haydock last season. He was also expected to improve for his eye-catching effort in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow on his return in October, form which is working out well.

Various other efforts, including when finishing second in a strong Listed contest at Perth, hint that this six-year-old remains nicely handicapped, and he's not one to give up on just yet.

Race: Fourth in the Cheltenham Guardians Safeguarding Team Mares' Open NH Flat Race (4.00, Saturday).

This mare looked a work in progress last season having raced too freely on her rules debut (when sent off favourite) before winning a Southwell bumper, and was value for more than the winning margin suggests there given she came from last to first after racing wide, and showed signs of inexperience under pressure.

She drifted in the betting beforehand here, and was at a disadvantage being held up in a race that turned into a dash. Ben Pauling's youngster was also on her toes beforehand, and raced enthusiastically under a patient ride. 

The five-year-old made eye-catching headway in the straight and kept on nicely under pressure over a trip that is probably inadequate for her given she finished second in her sole point-to-point start, and is a full sister to staying chaser Rock My Way.

Her enthusiastic owners will no doubt have high hopes for her this season following another encouraging effort on her first start for 233 days, and she should develop into an exciting hurdler.

Race: Second in the Cheltenham Guardians Safeguarding Team Mares' Open NH Flat Race (4.00, Saturday).

Shotgun Shirley was another eye-catcher in the Listed bumper on Saturday, and this form could work out nicely. She raced keenly after going to the start early and stuck to her task well to chase home the well-backed winner, despite failing to settle.

Lucy Wadham's charge justified market support when a narrow winner at Uttoxeter on her penultimate outing where she travelled strongly, and has worn a hood on her past two starts.

She's closely related to Iconic Sky plus is a half-sister to four winners, including Martello Sky who won twice at Listed level for Wadham, and was rated 144 in her prime.

This was a promising effort from the inexperienced Shotgun Shirley who is open to bundles of improvement, especially over hurdles.