The November Meeting: five names to note for Friday

Cheltenham’s three-day November meeting tends to signal that point in the year when the Jumps’ season really sparks into life and a rejigged schedule means we get to see established stars like Jonbon and Edwardstone in Friday’s Grade Two Shloer Chase.

There is a good chance we also see a star of the future because the Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle has been won in recent years by such as Hermes Allen and Thyme Hill, horses that went on to score at the highest level.

Here are five horses that have the potential to show us something special at Prestbury Park on Friday. 

Trainer: Nicky Henderson. Race: 1.45 Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Novices' Chase 

Shanagh Bob was one of the most exciting novice hurdlers around last season until things went slightly awry in the spring. The scopey son of Mahler was all set to go off among the favourites for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival in March before stable form intervened and he, along with many others from Seven Barrows, were withdrawn from their respective races. 

It’s not easy to know exactly what sort of place he was in when beaten at Aintree, but connections have been looking forward to sending him chasing since day one and he could be something special over the bigger obstacles. 

Trainer: Nicky Henderson. Race: 2.20 Shloer Chase 

Jonbon is back to defend the Shloer Chase crown he won so impressively 12 months ago and let’s hope we see a performance equally as spectacular this time around. 

One of several stable big guns to miss the Cheltenham Festival, Jonbon roared back the following month with Grade One wins at Aintree and Sandown. There is no reason why he cannot bag more big prizes this term. Assuming he turns up in the same form as 12 months ago, we could be in for a treat. 

Trainer: Gordon Elliott. Race: 2.55 Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase 

It might come as a surprise to some that Gordon Elliott hasn’t won this first race of the season on Cheltenham’s cross-country course. However, with five entries this time around, the Cullentra House team surely have a great chance to break that duck. 

The horse most likely to do that is Galvin, who bids to make amends for his defeat when sent off favourite for this race 12 months ago. The key to an improved showing could be that, unlike last year, he comes into this with a run under his belt having finished second in the Grade One Grand National Hurdle at Far Hills last month. 

Trainer: Dan Skelton. Race: 3.30 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle 

Valgrand created quite an impression when bolting up to the tune of 17 lengths in a Grade Two event at the track last month but he faces a stiffer task on Friday if allowed to take his chance under a penalty. 

Dan Skelton seemed a little surprised by the nature of that performance and said: “We need to see another race to make sure that wasn't a fluke,’ so running here under a penalty against some promising rivals looks the right platform for this horse to show us whether he’s a genuine Supreme Novices’ Hurdle contender or not.” 

It’s a race that often throws up a class performer so the Highclere team would have every right to get excited if Valgrand does come through this test with flying colours. 

Trainer: Nicky Henderson. Race: 4.05 Valda Energy Novices' Handicap Hurdle 

Break My Soul backers were dealt a heavy blow when he was chinned on the line at Ascot last month, but compensation may await given he now has a fitness edge over some of his rivals. 

A progressive novice last season, that return effort suggests he’s still on the up, so a 4lb rise in the weights is by no means insurmountable, especially on ground he should enjoy. The Henderson team won this race with a progressive type last year and they’ll be hoping they can repeat the trick.