Paddy Power Gold Cup Tips 2026: Cheltenham Saturday 14 November Preview

• Saturday’s card
• 12.35 Amateur Chase
• 1.10 Triumph Trial
• 1.45 Arkle Trial
• 2.20 Paddy Power Gold Cup
• 2.55 Handicap Hurdle
• 3.30 Intermediate Hurdle
• 4.00 Mares’ Bumper
• Trainers & jockeys
• Best Bet & accas
• FAQ
• Our selections

Saturday 14 November: Super Saturday at Cheltenham

The November Meeting’s middle day is Super Saturday on the Old Course, seven races headed by the Paddy Power Gold Cup, a Premier Handicap chase over 2m 4f 44y worth £91,120 to the winner. Either side of it sit two Grade 2s: the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (registered as the Prestbury) and the Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase. Our Friday preview covers Countryside Day, including the Shloer Chase. A Sunday preview will follow separately — Sunday’s six races are already declared.

The going on Saturday morning, 14 November, is good on all seven of Sporting Life’s race cards. On Friday morning, 13 November, Sporting Life recorded Saturday’s ground as “Good-good to soft in places”, Timeform as “Good (Good to Soft in places)”, and Racing Post as GOOD, good to soft in places (GoingStick 6.1, watered), with rails of +36 yards on the 12.35 and 2.55, +18 yards on the 1.10, 1.45 and 4.00, and +27 yards on the 2.20 and 3.30. We could not open the Racing Post or Timeform pages on Saturday morning to recheck those. Sporting Life’s cards list 16 non-runners across six of the seven races, including two of our selections: Kabral Du Mathan in the 1.45, where there is no bet, and Moneygarrow in the 3.30, where Daylatedollarshort replaces him. Each race section below gives the details. Late withdrawals are still possible. If you want a reminder of how ground is described, see our going explained guide. Our Cheltenham racecourse guide covers the Old Course.

Saturday’s races at a glance

Going: Good (Sporting Life, Saturday morning 14 November). Runners after non-runners.

Cheltenham trainers and jockeys

These are course figures over five years, 27 May 2021 to 26 May 2026, from The Gallop, compiled from official results (525 races). They cover all Cheltenham jumps racing in that period, not only the November Meeting, and are the same figures we used on the Friday preview, checked on 12 November 2026. Past course form is a record, not a prediction.

Top trainers at Cheltenham (27 May 2021–26 May 2026)

Trainer	Wins–runs	Strike rate
Willie Mullins	48–391	12%
Dan Skelton	42–291	14%
Nicky Henderson	34–231	15%
Henry de Bromhead	21–171	12%
Paul Nicholls	21–204	10%
Gordon Elliott	20–350	6%
Nigel Twiston-Davies	19–160	12%
Fergal O’Brien	19–175	11%

Top jockeys at Cheltenham (27 May 2021–26 May 2026)

Jockey	Wins–rides	Strike rate
Harry Skelton	38–219	17%
Harry Cobden	29–217	13%
Sam Twiston-Davies	29–217	13%
Paul Townend	26–89	29%
Nico de Boinville	25–149	17%
Sean Bowen	20–204	10%
Rachael Blackmore	13–73	18%
Jonathan Burke	13–126	10%

Recent form, used in the per-race boxes below, is from The Gallop’s labelled “Last 14 days” and “Jumps, 14 days” rows, checked on 12 November 2026. The site’s in-form index covers 30 October to 12 November 2026, built from Sporting Life results. Where a yard or rider has no published figure on those pages, we have left it out rather than guess.

12.35 Cheltenham: Citipost Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase

A Class 3 amateur riders’ handicap chase over 3m 1f, worth £12,832 to the winner. Twelve were declared. Top Guy and Jaccours are non-runners on Sporting Life’s card on Saturday morning, which leaves ten, so bet365’s standard each-way terms on an 8-to-11-runner handicap are 3 places at 1/5 — check the slip.

This amateur chase has sat on Saturday’s November Meeting card since 2021 (it was a mixed conditional and amateur riders’ handicap in 2020). In 2016–2019 the corresponding amateur riders’ chase was on other days of the meeting, so the list below is a six-year Saturday sequence, 2020–2025, not a full ten-year roll. Sponsor names have changed (South West Syndicate, Jewson, Celotex, Wienerberger, Steel Plate & Sections, Debenhams, now Citipost). All six were Class 3 contests at 3m 1f. Winners and starting prices are from KickTheBookies result pages, with last year’s confirmed on Sporting Life.

Previous winners (2020–2025, Saturday corresponding race)

This is a partial list: six verified Saturday (or Saturday-corresponding) renewals. The 2020 running was a “Conditional Jockeys And Amateur Riders” handicap, not a purely amateur contest, and is included with that label.

Year	Winner	Age	SP	Trainer
2020	Storm Control	7	5/1	Kerry Lee
2021	Strictlyadancer	7	9/4 fav	Christian Williams
2022	Anightinlambourn	8	5/1	Ben Pauling
2023	Hascoeur Clermont	6	12/1	Gavin Cromwell
2024	Transmission	7	11/4 fav	Neil Mulholland
2025	Hung Jury	10	22/1	Martin Keighley

From that six-year list, ages ran from 6 to 10. Two of the six were returned favourite (Strictlyadancer and Transmission), counting only where KickTheBookies marks fav or joint-favourite. Transmission, who won this in 2024 from 2 lb lower than his current mark, according to Sporting Life’s racecard, is in the field again. Last year’s winner, Hung Jury, was a 10-year-old at 22/1, trained by Martin Keighley and ridden by Mr James King, who rides Little Ledgend in this race.

A C&D third against last year’s runner-up and the 2024 winner

Little Ledgend (Olly Murphy, Mr James King, OR125, 9/2) and Herakles Westwood (Warren Greatrex, Miss Gina Andrews, OR135, 9/2) are joint-favourites on bet365. Little Ledgend won a pair of Worcester handicap chases in August and September, then finished third over this course and distance under James King three weeks ago; the racecard shows first-time blinkers and a tongue strap. Herakles Westwood was second in this race 12 months ago and won over 25f here on New Year’s Day, but he has not run for 210 days. Transmission (Neil Mulholland, Mr J W Hendrick, OR131, 13/2) won this in 2024 and, on Sporting Life’s racecard, is better expected than his Ascot return two weeks ago, when an early mistake put him on the back foot. Sporting Life’s verdict prefers Little Ledgend, marginally, to Herakles Westwood and Transmission.

1.10 Cheltenham: JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2)

The Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle, run as the JCB Triumph Trial, is a Grade 2 for three-year-olds only, over 2m 87y, worth £47,552 to the winner. Nine were declared, so bet365’s standard each-way terms on a non-handicap of eight or more are 3 places at 1/5 — check the slip. There are no non-runners on Sporting Life’s card on Saturday morning, so all nine are due to run.

This Grade 2 has a continuous Saturday history at the November Meeting across the ten years we checked. It is registered as the Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle. All ten were Grade 2s at 2m 87y (or 2m in some result measurements). Winners and starting prices are from KickTheBookies result pages, with last year’s confirmed on Sporting Life.

Previous winners (2016–2025)

Year	Winner	Age	SP	Trainer
2016	Defi Du Seuil	3	5/4 fav	Philip Hobbs
2017	Apple’s Shakira	3	Evens fav	Nicky Henderson
2018	Quel Destin	3	10/3	Paul Nicholls
2019	Allmankind	3	11/4	Dan Skelton
2020	Duffle Coat	3	2/1	Gordon Elliott
2021	Knight Salute	3	9/2	Milton Harris
2022	More Felons	3	4/1	Milton Harris
2023	Burdett Road	3	9/4	James Owen
2024	East India Dock	3	4/5 fav	James Owen
2025	One Horse Town	3	10/3	Harry Derham

Every winner in that list is a three-year-old, as the race requires. James Owen has won two of the last three renewals, Burdett Road in 2023 and East India Dock in 2024, a record Sporting Life’s verdict also notes. Three of the ten were returned favourite (Defi Du Seuil, Apple’s Shakira and East India Dock), counting only marked favourite flags. Last year’s winner, One Horse Town, was trained by Harry Derham and ridden by Paul O’Brien, at 10/3.

Listed Wetherby form against two impressive Irish debutants

Charles Darnay (James Owen, Harry Cobden, 6/4) overcame inexperience to win a listed juvenile at Wetherby a fortnight ago, form Sporting Life describes as just about the best on offer. The same yard also saddles Magnetude (Jonathan Burke, 8/1), a Wetherby winner who, on that racecard, will need to jump with more confidence. The Irish challenge is headed by Atomic City (Joseph O’Brien, J J Slevin, 9/4), who won a Cork maiden with a fair amount in hand five weeks ago, and Admiral Will Brown (P Magee, Josh Williamson, 6/1), a stylish Down Royal winner two weeks ago. Sporting Life’s verdict prefers Charles Darnay, with those two Irish winners as the serious threats.

1.45 Cheltenham: Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)

A Grade 2 novices’ chase over 1m 7f 199y, registered historically as the November Novices’ Chase, worth £47,552 to the winner. Seven were declared. Kabral Du Mathan and Old Park Star, the two at the head of Friday’s market, are non-runners on Sporting Life’s card on Saturday morning, which leaves five, so bet365’s standard each-way terms on a five-to-seven-runner race are still 2 places at 1/4 — check the slip.

The corresponding two-mile Grade 2 novices’ chase is a continuous race, but the day has moved. In 2016–2019 it was on the Sunday (Greatwood day), run as the Racing Post Arkle Trophy Trial. From 2020 it has been on Saturday: as the From The Horse’s Mouth Podcast Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) in 2020–2022, and as the Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial (registered as the November) in 2024 and 2025. The 2023 Saturday “From The Horse’s Mouth Podcast Novices’ Chase” was a different race — a 3m 110y Listed contest, won by Broadway Boy — and is not included. There was no two-mile Grade 2 Arkle Trial on the 2023 Saturday card. The list below is therefore nine corresponding runnings, with day and name changes labelled. Distances were 1m 7f 199y (or 2m in some measurements). Winners are from KickTheBookies result pages, with last year’s confirmed on Sporting Life.

Previous winners (corresponding 2m Grade 2 novices’ chase)

2016–2019 were run on Sunday; 2020–2022 and 2024–2025 on Saturday. 2023 is omitted because that Saturday novices’ chase was a 3m Listed race, not this trial. This is a nine-year corresponding list, not a straight ten-year Saturday roll.

Year	Winner	Age	SP	Trainer
2016 (Sun)	Le Prezien	5	8/11 fav	Paul Nicholls
2017 (Sun)	North Hill Harvey	6	6/4	Dan Skelton
2018 (Sun)	Lalor	6	11/2	Kayley Woollacott
2019 (Sun)	Put The Kettle On	5	6/1	Henry De Bromhead
2020	Eldorado Allen	6	13/2	Colin Tizzard
2021	Third Time Lucki	6	2/5 fav	Dan Skelton
2022	Banbridge	6	11/8 fav	Joseph Patrick O’Brien
2024	L’eau Du Sud	6	10/11 fav	Dan Skelton
2025	July Flower	6	6/5 fav	Henry De Bromhead

Ages in that list were 5 or 6. Five of the nine were returned favourite (Le Prezien, Third Time Lucki, Banbridge, L’eau Du Sud and July Flower), counting only marked flags; North Hill Harvey’s 6/4 is not marked as favourite on the result we used (the runner-up was Evens). Dan Skelton has trained three winners (North Hill Harvey, Third Time Lucki, L’eau Du Sud). Last year’s winner, July Flower, was a six-year-old mare at 6/5 favourite for Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe, and she runs in the Gold Cup on Saturday.

Both market leaders are out

With Kabral Du Mathan and Old Park Star both out, this is a much more open five-runner race. Workahead (Henry de Bromhead, Darragh O’Keeffe, OR148) is the highest rated left. He won on his chase debut at Wexford in May and was beaten at 1/3 at Roscommon in June on soft ground; Sporting Life’s racecard says this better ground should suit, though he has been off 159 days. Putapoundinthejar (A J Martin, Daniel King, OR139) got off the mark over fences at Sligo in September and has had a Flat run since. Newtown Rambler (A Keatley, Oakley Brown, OR137) an enthusiastic front-runner on Sporting Life’s racecard, has won his last four starts over fences, most recently at Kelso on 24 October. Folie Golith (Faye Bramley, Sean Bowen, OR137) is a four-year-old filly in receipt of weight after winning on her stable debut at Uttoxeter. Passing Diamond (B Haslam, R P McLernon, OR128) was second over this course and distance on 23 October.

2.20 Cheltenham: Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase

The feature is a Premier Handicap chase over 2m 4f 44y, worth £91,120 to the winner, for four-year-olds and upwards. Fifteen were declared. Madara and Norn Iron are non-runners on Sporting Life’s card on Saturday morning, which leaves 13, so bet365’s standard each-way terms on a 12-to-15-runner handicap are still 3 places at 1/4 — some shops may offer extra places on this race, but we have used the standard terms; check the slip.

This is the same race throughout the ten years, at about 2m 4f (2m 4f 78y in 2016–2017 result measurements, 2m 4f 44y from 2018). It was the BetVictor Gold Cup, a Grade 3, from 2016 to 2019, and the Paddy Power Gold Cup from 2020, first as a Grade 3 and then as a Premier Handicap from 2022. Last year’s running was staged in memory of Edward O’Grady. Winners and starting prices are from KickTheBookies result pages, with last year’s confirmed on Sporting Life.

Previous winners (2016–2025)

Year	Winner	Age	SP	Trainer
2016	Taquin Du Seuil	9	8/1	Jonjo O’Neill
2017	Splash of Ginge	9	25/1	Nigel Twiston-Davies
2018	Baron Alco	7	8/1	Gary Moore
2019	Happy Diva	8	14/1	Kerry Lee
2020	Coole Cody	9	10/1	Evan Williams
2021	Midnight Shadow	8	9/1	Sue Smith
2022	Ga Law	6	5/1	Jamie Snowden
2023	Stage Star	7	4/1 fav	Paul Nicholls
2024	Il Ridoto	7	10/1	Paul Nicholls
2025	Panic Attack	9	6/1	Dan Skelton

All ten winners were aged 6 to 9. Only Stage Star is marked as favourite on those result pages (4/1 in 2023), so we can only say one favourite has won in the ten years where the flag is verified; we have not treated unmarked SPs as favourites. Starting prices ran from 4/1 to 25/1. Paul Nicholls trained consecutive winners in 2023 and 2024 (Stage Star and Il Ridoto). Last year’s winner, Panic Attack, was a nine-year-old mare at 6/1 for Dan Skelton and Harry Skelton, on soft ground.

An unexposed Festival winner against a Skelton debutant and a Nicholls yard with recent form in this race

Meetmebythesea (Ben Pauling, Harry Cobden, OR151, 11/4) is the favourite. He won at Wetherby and Ayr either side of last Christmas and took his chase record to 3–4 when powering clear in the 18-runner Golden Miller, over 21f, at the Festival, a run Sporting Life says has worked out well. Blueking d’Oroux (Dan Skelton, Harry Skelton, OR148, 5/1) was just denied in a Kempton handicap in March and finished second in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree; he makes his debut for Skelton, having improved, on Sporting Life’s racecard, since being fitted with headgear for Paul Nicholls, and Sporting Life’s verdict prefers him. Quebecois (Paul Nicholls, Sam Twiston-Davies, OR141, 11/2) was a very good third in the Ultima at the Festival, then failed to capitalise at Newton Abbot four weeks ago (he hit 1.03 in running, according to the racecard); Nicholls has won this in two of the last three years. Madara, who won the Plate over this course and distance at the Festival, is a non-runner. July Flower (Henry de Bromhead, Darragh O’Keeffe, OR142, 7/1) won last year’s Arkle Trial at this meeting.

2.55 Cheltenham: From The Horses Mouth Podcast Handicap Hurdle

A Class 2 handicap hurdle over 2m 7f 208y, worth £19,061 to the winner. Sixteen were declared. Ace Of Spades, Gold For Alec and Geezer Rockstar are non-runners on Sporting Life’s card on Saturday morning, which leaves 13, so bet365’s standard each-way terms drop from 4 places to 3 places at 1/4, for a 12-to-15-runner handicap — check the slip. Moon Mission ran in Friday’s 1.10 here, finishing fifth of 18, and is still declared; he is not one of our selections.

The Saturday staying handicap hurdle has changed name, grade and, at the start of the period, trip. In 2016 and 2017 it was the Regulatory Finance Solutions Handicap Hurdle, a Listed race at 3m 1f 67y. From 2018 it has been at 2m 7f 208y (or 3m in the 2022 result measurement): still Listed in 2018 (Regulatory Finance), 2019 (the Big Buck’s Handicap Hurdle) and 2020–2021 (Paddy Power Games), then a Class 2 from 2022, as Paddy Power Games in 2022–2023 and as the From The Horses Mouth Podcast Handicap Hurdle in 2024–2025. That 2024 name change should not be confused with “From The Horse’s Mouth” as used on the Arkle Trial in 2020–2022; they are different races. The ten-year list below is the corresponding Saturday staying handicap hurdle, with trip, grade and name changes labelled. Winners are from KickTheBookies result pages, with last year’s confirmed on Sporting Life.

Previous winners (2016–2025, corresponding Saturday staying handicap hurdle)

2016–2017 were Listed at 3m 1f 67y; 2018–2021 Listed (or listed-level) at about 2m 7f–3m; 2022–2025 Class 2 at 2m 7f 208y or 3m. Name and sponsor changes are listed in the paragraph above.

Year	Winner	Age	SP	Trainer
2016	Anteros	8	20/1	Sophie Leech
2017	Thomas Campbell	5	13/8 fav	Nicky Henderson
2018	First Assignment	5	6/4 fav	Ian Williams
2019	Golan Fortune	7	14/1	Phil Middleton
2020	On The Blind Side	8	7/1	Nicky Henderson
2021	Sporting John	6	9/2	Philip Hobbs
2022	Annual Invictus	7	12/1	Chris Gordon
2023	Buddy One	6	9/4 fav	Paul John Gilligan
2024	Doyen Quest	6	5/4 fav	Dan Skelton
2025	Kikijo	5	11/2	Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Ages ran from 5 to 8. Four of the ten were returned favourite (Thomas Campbell, First Assignment, Buddy One and Doyen Quest), counting only marked flags. Last year’s winner, Kikijo, was a five-year-old at 11/2 for Philip Hobbs & Johnson White, ridden by Sean Houlihan, in a field of eight on soft ground.

A lower hurdle mark against the C&D second and the favourite

Sporting Life’s verdict prefers Ifiwerearichman (P Nolan, Eoin Staples, OR127, 12/1), a useful chase winner who has been shaping well from his lower mark over hurdles, meeting trouble in running when sixth of 14 at Listowel over 2½m seven weeks ago, and who now goes up in trip. Ace Of Spades, Friday’s favourite, and Gold For Alec, second over this course and distance on 24 October, are both non-runners. William Yeats (S England, Jonathan England, OR114) won over 3m at Newcastle on 5 November. Rambo T (11/2) is 4 lb below his last winning mark after a solid return in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow.

3.30 Cheltenham: Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle

A Class 3 intermediate handicap hurdle over 2m 5f, worth £14,976 to the winner, for three-year-olds and upwards. Thirteen were declared. Moneygarrow, A King Of Magic, Caspari and Guchen are non-runners on Sporting Life’s card on Saturday morning, which leaves nine, so bet365’s standard each-way terms on an 8-to-11-runner handicap are 3 places at 1/5 — check the slip. Luck Between Us ran in Friday’s 3.30 here, finishing seventh of eight, and is still declared.

This race has a continuous Saturday history at about 2m 5f (2m 5f 26y in 2016–2017 measurements). Sponsor names have changed (Martin & Co Jewellers, BetVictor, Paddy Power, with various “First Millionaire” and “Feel Like A Favourite” titles). It was Class 3 in most years, Class 2 in 2018 and 2019. Winners are from KickTheBookies result pages, with last year’s confirmed on Sporting Life.

Previous winners (2016–2025)

Year	Winner	Age	SP	Trainer
2016	Clondaw Cian	6	12/1	Suzy Smith
2017	Coole Cody	6	25/1	Michael Blake
2018	Speedo Boy	4	4/1 jt-fav	Ian Williams
2019	Jatiluwih	5	11/4 fav	Philip Hobbs
2020	Stimulating Song	5	9/1	Milton Harris
2021	Gowel Road	5	13/2	Nigel Twiston-Davies
2022	Unanswered	5	2/1 fav	A J Martin
2023	Springwell Bay	6	85/40 fav	Jonjo O’Neill
2024	Hamsiyann	4	2/1 fav	A J Martin
2025	Lavender Hill Mob	4	33/1	James Owen

Ages ran from 4 to 6. Five of the ten were returned favourite or joint-favourite (Speedo Boy, Jatiluwih, Unanswered, Springwell Bay and Hamsiyann), counting only marked flags. Last year is a reminder that the favourite does not always win: Lavender Hill Mob, a four-year-old at 33/1 for James Owen and Sam Twiston-Davies, came out on top. A J Martin has trained two winners (Unanswered and Hamsiyann). Give Him A Chance, in Saturday’s field, was runner-up in last year’s renewal, according to Sporting Life’s racecard.

A Silver Trophy winner heads a reduced field

Moneygarrow, Friday’s clear favourite and Sporting Life’s verdict pick, is a non-runner, along with A King Of Magic, Caspari and Guchen, so nine go to post. Daylatedollarshort (Olly Murphy, Sean Bowen, OR135) won a strong renewal of the Silver Trophy at Chepstow on his return on 10 October, off 127, but he now carries top weight of 12st off a mark 8 lb higher. Hillberry Hill (Kim Bailey & M Nicholls, Thomas Bellamy, OR122) is a possible hat-trick seeker whose opening mark, on Sporting Life’s racecard, may be lenient, though he has been off 235 days. Sunny South West (Edward F Power, Michael Kenneally, OR121) shaped better than his fourth of 11 here on 23 October suggests, on that racecard. Luck Between Us, seventh of eight in Friday’s Hyde Hurdle, is still declared.

4.00 Cheltenham: Karndean Designflooring Mares’ Open NH Flat Race (Listed)

A Listed mares’ bumper, for four- and five-year-olds only, over 2m 87y, worth £11,888 to the winner. Fifteen were declared. Northern Singer, Pether’s Angel and Queen Alice are non-runners on Sporting Life’s card on Saturday morning, which leaves 12, so bet365’s standard each-way terms on a non-handicap of eight or more are still 3 places at 1/5 — check the slip.

This Listed mares’ bumper has a continuous Saturday history at 2m 87y (or 2m). Sponsor names have changed (High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, Experience The Theatre, Karndean, Stirrups Restaurant, Cheltenham Guardians, and back to Karndean). In 2016 the age band was wider on some cards; from the years we can see clearly it has been a fillies’ and mares’ listed contest at this trip. Winners are from KickTheBookies result pages, with last year’s confirmed on Sporting Life. Two years were dead-heats, and both are listed.

Previous winners (2016–2025)

2016 and 2020 were dead-heats; both first-placed mares are shown. Sponsor-name changes are labelled in the paragraph above. Last year’s running was sponsored by the Cheltenham Guardians Safeguarding Team.

Year	Winner	Age	SP	Trainer
2016	Irish Roe (dh)	5	5/1	Peter Atkinson
2016	My Khaleesi (dh)	5	14/1	Alan King
2017	Posh Trish	4	9/4 fav	Paul Nicholls
2018	The Glancing Queen	4	16/1	Alan King
2019	Urban Artist	4	16/1	Hughie Morrison
2020	Ishkhara Lady (dh)	6	11/2	Harry Fry
2020	Elle Est Belle (dh)	4	16/5	Dan Skelton
2021	Bonttay	4	2/1 fav	Fergal O’Brien
2022	Queens Gamble	4	9/4 fav	Oliver Sherwood
2023	Baby Kate	4	7/2	W P Mullins
2024	Seo Linn	4	5/2	P Twomey
2025	Celestial Tune	4	9/4 fav	T Cooper

Where ages are verified, most winners were four-year-olds; Irish Roe and My Khaleesi were five in the 2016 dead-heat, and Ishkhara Lady was six in the 2020 dead-heat. Four of the ten renewals had a marked favourite winner (Posh Trish, Bonttay, Queens Gamble and Celestial Tune); Elle Est Belle’s 16/5 in 2020 is not marked as favourite on the result we used (the 6/4 favourite, Ucanaver, was unplaced). Last year’s winner, Celestial Tune, was a four-year-old at 9/4 favourite for T Cooper and Sean Bowen.

A six-length debut winner against Harry Skelton’s pick

Sporting Life’s verdict prefers Elegantemente (Henry de Bromhead, Darragh O’Keeffe, 11/4), who forged six lengths clear of the reopposing She Was The One (Denis Hogan, Daniel King, 11/1) on debut at Ballinrobe in August, and is the form pick on that racecard. Soleretta (Dan Skelton, Harry Skelton, 3/1) is next in the market: she fell at the last, when Sporting Life says she was sure to have won, on her only start in an Irish point in March, and Harry Skelton chose her over stablemate Northern Singer, a Chepstow bumper winner who is now a non-runner. Eastern Whisper (Shane Carey, Harry Cobden, 13/2) won on debut at Punchestown 32 days ago. Miss Master (Olly Murphy, Sean Bowen, 9/1) and Gypsy Sky (14/1) are also in the verdict’s feared list.

Best Bet and accumulators

Cheltenham November Meeting Saturday FAQ

When is the Cheltenham November Meeting 2026?

Friday 13, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November 2026, at Cheltenham Racecourse (Prestbury Park). Friday is Countryside Day, Saturday is Super Saturday, and Sunday is Carnival Sunday. Our Friday preview is a separate piece.

What time is the Paddy Power Gold Cup?

2.20pm UK time on Saturday 14 November, over 2m 4f 44y on the Old Course. It is a Premier Handicap chase, worth £91,120 to the winner. Fifteen were declared and 13 are due to run after Saturday morning's non-runners.

What is the going?

Good, on all seven of Sporting Life's race cards on Saturday morning, 14 November 2026. On Friday morning Sporting Life recorded "Good-good to soft in places", Timeform "Good (Good to Soft in places)", and Racing Post GOOD, good to soft in places (GoingStick 6.1, watered), with Saturday rails of +36 yards on the 12.35 and 2.55, +18 yards on the 1.10, 1.45 and 4.00, and +27 yards on the 2.20 and 3.30. We could not recheck Racing Post or Timeform on Saturday morning. The going can still change, so check again before you bet.

Are Saturday's runners confirmed?

Fields were declared with 12, 9, 7, 15, 16, 13 and 15 runners. After the non-runners on Sporting Life's cards on Saturday morning, 10, 9, 5, 13, 13, 9 and 12 are due to run. Two of our selections are out: Kabral Du Mathan (1.45), so there is no bet in that race, and Moneygarrow (3.30), who is replaced by Daylatedollarshort at 5/2 with bet365 at 08:09 GMT Sat 14 Nov. Moon Mission (2.55) and Luck Between Us (3.30) both ran on Friday and are still declared. Late withdrawals are still possible.

What is your Best Bet on Saturday?

Meetmebythesea in the 2.20 Paddy Power Gold Cup, at 11/4 with bet365 when we checked at about 10:48 GMT on Friday 13 November.

Is Sunday covered here?

This preview is Saturday only. Sunday 15 November is already declared: six races, going recorded by Sporting Life as good, good to firm in places, with 23, 24, 16, 11, 24 and 21 runners. A Sunday preview will follow as a separate draft.

Our Selections

Saturday 14 November 2026 · Cheltenham November Meeting · prices checked 10:48 Fri 13 Nov; non-runners checked about 08:00 Sat 14 Nov; Daylatedollarshort price 08:09 Sat 14 Nov. 18+ · BeGambleAware.org

• WIN

  LITTLE LEDGEND 9/2

  Race: Citipost Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase

  Time: Cheltenham 12.35pm

  Odds: 9/2 (bet365)

  Stake: 1 pt win

• WIN

  CHARLES DARNAY 6/4

  Race: JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2)

  Time: Cheltenham 1.10pm

  Odds: 6/4 (bet365)

  Stake: 1 pt win

• NON-RUNNER · NO BET

  KABRAL DU MATHAN NR

  Race: Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial (Grade 2)

  Time: Cheltenham 1.45pm

  Status: Non-runner

  Stake: No bet in this race

• WIN · BEST BET

  MEETMEBYTHESEA 11/4

  Race: Paddy Power Gold Cup (Premier Handicap)

  Time: Cheltenham 2.20pm

  Odds: 11/4 (bet365)

  Stake: 1 pt win

• EACH-WAY

  IFIWEREARICHMAN 12/1

  Race: From The Horses Mouth Podcast Handicap Hurdle

  Time: Cheltenham 2.55pm

  Odds: 12/1 (bet365)

  Stake: 1 pt EW (0.5 e/w)

• WIN

  DAYLATEDOLLARSHORT 5/2

  Race: Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle

  Time: Cheltenham 3.30pm

  Odds: 5/2 (bet365, 08:09 Sat 14 Nov)

  Stake: 1 pt win

  Note: Replaces non-runner Moneygarrow

• WIN

  ELEGANTEMENTE 11/4

  Race: Karndean Designflooring Mares' Open NH Flat Race (Listed)

  Time: Cheltenham 4.00pm

  Odds: 11/4 (bet365)

  Stake: 1 pt win

• WIN TREBLE

  LITTLE LEDGEND + MEETMEBYTHESEA + ELEGANTEMENTE

  Races: Cheltenham 12.35, 2.20 and 4.00

  Odds: approx 76/1 (bet365)

  Stake: 0.5 pts

• PLACE ACCA

  LITTLE LEDGEND + IFIWEREARICHMAN + ELEGANTEMENTE

  Races: Cheltenham 12.35, 2.55 and 4.00

  Odds: approx 11/1 (bet365; 3 places @ 1/5, 3 places @ 1/4, 3 places @ 1/5)

  Stake: 1 pt

Prices are bet365 UK via racing-odds.com, quotes taken at about 10:48 GMT Fri 13 Nov 2026, and are likely to change. Non-runners were rechecked on Sporting Life's cards at about 08:00 GMT on Saturday 14 November: Kabral Du Mathan (1.45) and Moneygarrow (3.30) are out. There is no bet in the 1.45; Daylatedollarshort (5/2 with bet365 at 08:09 GMT Sat 14 Nov) replaces Moneygarrow in the 3.30. Place-acca terms use bet365's standard each-way rules (check the slip for any extra places). 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org