Jaysella’s Cheltenham Autumn Festival Racecard for Friday 13th November 2026
Jaysella’s Cheltenham Autumn Festival Racecard for Friday 13th Novemeber
AIS Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle 1.10
Glancing Jack
Hard to go against Dan Skelton’s Glancing Jack for the opener innit? given how good he is at the big handicaps round here. Although he couldn’t quite catch Storming George at Newbury when we last saw him in March, maybe having given too much rope to Neil King’s Top Novices’ Hurdle winner, I’m ready to say that Glancing Jack can progress to win this. The ground’s gonna be good here at Prestbury Park, with possible frosts coming after this first day of three, but that can help Dan Skelton’s unexposed Glancing Jack to see out this trip. James Owen’s High Fibre was last seen putting in a super shift in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket, and this young trainer’s dual code runners always deserve a second look, while Neil Mulholland’s Keno Black could go well over this trip too. Glancing Jack to score for Dan Skelton in the opener for me!
Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Novices Chase (Listed) 1.45
King’s Bucks
With no Derryhassen Paddy lining up, maybe Irish raider King’s Bucks is the way to go. I’m sure that Henry de Bromhead has a decent Novice Chaser in the yard with King’s Bucks, and although he has done most of racing on ground with plenty of cut, there’ll be no stamina worries over this three mile one trip. I guess that Dan Skelton’s Kingston Narcissus would be on anyone’s list, though gotta to see out this trip, but that’s not an issue for Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies’s Intosomethinggood, but his recent record at Cheltenham does leave a bit to be desired shall we say. Not the strongest looking race without Derryhassen Paddy, so I’ll chance my arm that King’s Bucks copes with the ground and takes this.
Shloer Chase (Grade 2) 2.20
Saint Segal (nap) (Jaysella)
I just can’t get away from Jane Williams’ Saint Segal for this Shloer Chase, despite hot favouritism for Jonbon. Don’t really want to re-read a tired old script for you here, but Cheltenham ain’t always been the luckiest place for Nicky Henderson’s stable star, though two previous wins in 2023 & 2024 in this Shloer Chase can’t be totally glossed over. But, to mind, Jonbon has had many brilliant wins in a fantastic career, but he’s fully out there these days, and with just the three rivals here there ain’t gonna be no hiding place. So, I’ve gotta say that my gut instinct is with Saint Segal, who likes this good ground and often goes well at this time of year, and if it is gonna be a cagey race,, then Jonbon might have to make the running which could bring Saint Segal in with a late finish. Gidleigh Park is talented but inconsistent, while Mighty Bandit is not without a chance in a trappy contest, but I’ll have Saint Segal to spring the surprise! Caroline?
Jonbon (nap) (Caroline)
Oh Jaysella, how could you go against the brilliant Jonbon for this Shloer Chase. Yuzz all know he’s won it twice already, and this is his regular starting point for every year’s campaign, so it’s Jonbon for me to make it three in this. L’eau Du Sud beat him fair and square in this last year, but anyways, he knows his way round this track after three runs in this race and five other appearances at Prestbury Park. No, I’m sorry Jaysella, you’ve got this one wrong, because Jonbon is winning this.
Jilly Cooper Veterans’ Handicap Chase 2.55
Thunder Rock (nb)
For me, it is very, very hard to get away from Thunder Rock for this Veterans’ Handicap Chase. I mean, come on – what’s not to like? No-one really fancied Olly Murphy’s Thunder Rock when making a seasonal reappearance at Perth last month, but he won it with plenty in hand, will be fine on this good ground and Sean Bowen on top is the icing on the cake for me. Joe Tizzard has two, Copperhead and Triple Trade for last year’s winning yard, but I reckon the real danger could be top-weight Ga Law from Jamie Snowden’s in-form stable, with Isabelle Ryder’s 5lb claim a useful offset. But Thunder Rock must have a massive chance here, with Ga Law keeping him honest, so that’s my one-two!
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 3.30
Dallas Star (Jaysella)
Okay kids, I’ve gotta tell you that Emmet Mullins might just have sneaked one in for this Albert Bartlett. We all know what a canny operator he is, young Emmet, with plenty of training talent rubbing off from Uncle Willie up the road no doubt, and this Cloth Of Stars gelding showed enough at Limerick four weeks back to get the vote from me. Good enough on the flat to line up in the Irish St Leger this summer, Dallas Star could well have a bright Black Type future over the sticks, starting here in a Grade 2. I guess Dan Skelton’s Divine Diva would be on my list, and course winner Woodstock Octo hasn’t really seen his ceiling yet, but it’s Dallas Star to win for me. Caroline, your thoughts?
Dallas Star (nb) (Caroline)
Oh yes Jaysella, I’ll be glad we’s all singing from the same hymn sheet this time, as I do think that Dallas Star has every chance. His last run at Limerick after crossing over from the flat showed plenty of promise, and I do agree with your assessment over Emmet Mullins, that he’ll be the one to make a strategic placing, so Dallas Star will be my selection too. Anyways, this looks a shake-up between Ferocimo and Dallas Star, but my preference is for Emmet Mullins Dallas Star.
Valda Energy Novices’ Handicap Hurdle 4.00
Sytadel
I think I’ll take a gamble on Dan Skelton’s Sytadel for this Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, though it’s one helluva open race for the closer. There’s plenty with chances here, including from my list David Pipe’s Way Of Stars, Olly Murphy’s Lexington Wood and Faye Bramley’s Whermyrosemarygoes, but I did like Sytadel’s attitude at Carlisle last time out, just getting collared in the final quarter furlong. Yep, Dan Skelton has lots of chances on the first day of Cheltenham’s Autumn Festival, but Sytadel might be the best of the lot!
