The Mandarin’s Cheltenham Autumn Festival Racecard for Sunday 16th November 2025
The Mandarin’s Cheltenham Autumn Festival Racecard for Sunday 16th November
mallardjewellers.com Maiden Hurdle 1.15
Gaelic Pride
It could pay to side with warren Greatrex’s Gaelic Pride for Sunday’s opener. Obviously there’s been a radical change in the going here at Prestbury Park, since Storm Claudia arrived on the scene on Friday, so it is all about who best copes with the conditions here. I think that makes Gaelic Pride likely to be prominent, with form on soft, so he edges it ahead of Nicky Henderson’s Act Of Innocence and Dan Skelton’s Soldier Reeves.
Bottlegreen Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 1.45
Jordans Cross
Anthony Honeyball’s Jordans Cross progressed well last Autumn, and showed plenty of grit to get back to the leaders and win at Aintree last month. Clearly a very different track and conditions, so taken on trust that Jordan Cross is going to be able to make that transition, but he lines up on what looks like a very workable mark, so fingers crossed that he continues the good work. Ben Pauling has his string going well, so Jig’s Forge has to make the shortlist, while Lucy Wadham’s Jax Junior is another likely type. Jordans Cross as a speculative improver is my vote, with the interesting French recruit Kim Roque worth a second glance for Joseph O’Brien.
Hine Solicitors Talking Sense Handicap Chase 2.20
Cabhfuilfungi
Given the conditions, Kerry Lee’s Cabhfuilfungi would be expected to be there or thereabouts. With one win and four runners-up spots over fences, maybe he’s due a bit of luck too. By contrast, Joe Tizzard’s Triple Trade is fully out there after twenty-one chase races, but seems to be attracting plenty of support in the markets. Gordon Elliott’s Irish raider St Faz wouldn’t want ground this deep, but the booking of Sean Bowen is notable, while Jamie Snowden’s Torneo may be better suited to these conditions. Quite a tricky puzzle to decipher, but I’ll take my chance on Cabhfuilfungi with Torneo as my each-way pick.
Oddschecker Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2.55
Protektorat (nap)
Well, Dan Skelton’s Protektorat has to lump around twelve stone for this Handicap Chase, but he’s a class act and has to be taken seriously. This will be his fifteenth race around here, so Prestbury Park holds no secrets from one of Dan Skelton’s stable stars, and with a third in the Gold Cup at the Festival back in 2022 in the form book, Protektorat must be well fancied, although Venetia Williams’ Tanganyika gets oodles of weight from the selection and looks the big danger. Tom Ellis’s Latenightpass has stamina in droves, so won’t buckle when push comes to shove, so is my value each-way angle to complete my three, but Protektorat should be right there for the win.
Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 3.30
Serious Challenge (nb)
I’m going to chance my arm on Fergal O’Brien’s Serious Challenge for the Greatwood. As ever, a really red hot Handicap, this heavy ground does ask a question of those near the top of the weights, so looking lower down the numbers, I can’t go past Serious Challenge without making a mark in the margin. Originally from the flat in Ireland with Jim Bolger, he won’t be minding ground this deep, and has already clocked up three wins over hurdles since the switch. Likely to come on for his run at Aintree three weeks back, Serious Challenge looks a serious contender for the Greatwood. Top weight Celtic Dino was impressive in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Chepstow last time out, but I think that Serious Challenge beats him at these weights.
Three Counties Christmas Open National Hunt Flat Race (Listed) 4.00
Chicker
I think I might stick with Chicker for the closer at Cheltenham’s Autumn Festival. He won here at the October meeting, with a bit to spare, but with underfoot conditions very different this time around, it’s taken on trust that he’ll act on this deeper ground, and if that is not the case, then Irish raider Bud Fox can profit. Syd Hosie’s Sinchi Roca has form on heavy ground, so completes my three, but I’ll take Chicker for the hat-trick.
The Mandarin
