November Racing Highlights

Features | 1^st November 2022

November offers racing fans a feast of jumping treats as the National Hunt season swings into top
gear

All over the country

No time is wasted in the opening days of the month as the inaugural West Country Weekend kicks off on Friday 4 at Exeter. The Betway Haldon Gold Cup – won in the past by Best Mate, Cue Card and Politologue – has been moved to the Friday to form Devon’s richest raceday.

The action moves on to Wincanton on the second day of West Country Weekend when the track hosts it’s popular Badger Beers Chase day. The big race is supported by the Unibet Elite Hurdle and the Boodles Rising Stars Novices’ Chase – both Grade 2 contests – on an action packed afternoon on Saturday 5.

The same day the curtain drops on the Flat turf season with the Betgoodwin November Handicap at Doncaster.

See the superstars

The Paddy Power Gold Cup takes centre stage on Saturday 12. Run over 2m4f, it is one of the most thrilling races of the first half of the winter jumps season and there will also be plenty of potential Festival hopefuls on show in the supporting races. The top-class action at Cheltenham doesn’t stop there. The Shloer Chase – won in recent years by Champion Chase winners Sprinter Sacre and Put The Kettle On – shares top billing with the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle on Sunday 13 to cap a sensational three days of incredible jumps racing.

A week later, on Saturday 19, the Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders lock horns in the Betfair Chase. Its roll of honour is a who’s who of great chasers. Kauto Star won the Haydock Grade 1 prize four times, while Imperial Commander, Cue Card, Silviniaco Conti and Bristol De Mai also have their names etched on the trophy. Last year A Plus Tard bolted up in the 3m1f chase before landing the Cheltenham Gold Cup just over four months later. This year’s race is sure to be packed with stars and A Plus Tard is reportedly on course to attempt to retain his crown.

The same day there is more high-quality racing at Ascot where the Coral Hurdle and the Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase will entertain the crowds.

Sandown and Cheltenham

The following day Sandown hosts its popular Sunday meeting featuring the Future Stars Intermediate Chase. The Listed race for second season chasers has been won in recent years by Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Coneygree and King George winner Might Bite.

There will plenty of established stars and exciting hopefuls at Cheltenham’s November Meeting. The three-day fixture kicks off on Friday 11 with some superb racing held alongside a celebration of the British countryside. As well as six races featuring The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, run over the unique obstacles, there is plenty of entertainment off the track. Dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll will be making an appearance along with other retired stars. There will also be a gundog display and live music.

Plenty to see

As if that wasn’t enough thrilling racing action for November, the month ends as it started with more top-class action. Newbury’s hugely-popular two-day Coral Gold Cup meeting gets underway on Friday 25 when the Grade 2 Coral Long Distance Hurdle is the highlight of a great day’s racing.

It serves as a perfect appetiser for the main event on Saturday 26. The Coral Gold Cup – won in recent years by Many Clouds and Native River – will be supported by the Coral John Francome Novices’ Chase and the Ladbrokes Gerry Feilden Intermediate Hurdle. There’s also Grade 1 jumps racing at Newcastle where Champion Hurdle hopefuls will put their credentials to the test in the Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

There is so much for racing fans to look forward to in November, you really wouldn’t want to miss any of it