THE nights are drawing in, the winter coats are finally coming out and racing really clicks into gear at the November meeting.
It was always a meeting I really enjoyed as the real winter horses come out to play.
Cheltenham is a testing track, but on the Old course there’s more of a speed element to it.
After this weekend everything will be on the New course until the Tuesday of the Festival and there is more emphasis on stamina when you’re on that track.
There are four races live on ITV4 this afternoon but the action kicks off with a conditional jockeys’ hurdle in which ENKI FLACKE (1.10) can go well for Gordon Elliott.
He won three races at Perth over the summer and I think the step up to two miles five furlongs will suit.
He has cheekpieces for the first time and looks a horse going the right way.
Jockey Sam Ewing is on board and he has been seen to great effect on both sides of the Irish Sea recently.
Ben Pauling’s horses are flying and I can also see Fine Casting running a decent race.
He won a nice handicap at Newbury last season and I think he’s quite progressive.
This step up in trip should also be up his street.
The two-mile handicap chase is very open. The Glancing Queen is the quality horse in the field, but she has a lot of weight to carry.
MONSIEUR LECOQ (1.45) was beaten on his first start last season before seeing off today’s rival Grey Diamond in a Listed race at Ascot.
This year he was beaten at Chepstow on his reappearance and then fell at the second behind Thyme White at Ascot.
He could be the each-way value.
The novices’ handicap is another open race but PULL AGAIN GREEN (2.20) should go well.
He won here at the April meeting and ran well to be third on his reappearance here three weeks ago.
He should improve for that outing and the experience, so he’s the one for me.
The cross-country race has been postponed because of the ground, but the veterans’ chase promises to be a fine substitute.
There are some familiar faces lining up and Elegant Escape could well be popular, having dropped down to 140.
He’s definitely well-handicapped, but this looks too short for him.
BROKEN QUEST (2.55) won three in the spring and is sure to improve for his comeback run in Chepstow last month.
The Grade 2 novices’ hurdle looks a really strong race and I can see the home team coming out on top.
HERMES ALLEN (3.30) cost £350,000 and hacked up at Stratford last month.
These connections seem to buy the right type of horse and the Nicholls yard can do little wrong at the moment.
In the lucky last I’ll go with ALTO ALTO (4.00) for in-form trainer Chris Gordon.
He was just touched off in Ascot last time and had been third to Knappers Hill in the EBF final at Sandown in April.
That form has been seriously franked with the winner landing a couple of classy races this season.
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