Cheltenham October Meeting Eyecatchers

1.15 William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap Hurdle (2m4f)
There was plenty of talk beforehand about how well French Ship was travelling before falling three out at Chepstow two weeks earlier, but he put that mishap firmly behind him here. With an assured round of jumping and an assertive ride from Ben Jones, he won with something in hand. The handicapper will surely react - an 8–10lb rise seems likely - but he still looks fairly treated in the mid-to-high 130s. He wasn’t stopping at the finish and looks ready for a tilt at a higher-end three-mile handicap hurdle. Possible targets include the 3m Handicap Hurdle at The November Meeting or the £100,000 Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at Haydock on Betfair Chase Day. Classic King also shaped well in fourth and looks ready for a step up to three miles.

1.50 Holland Cooper 'Chasing Excellence' Novices' Chase (2m)
Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen’s superb October continued with Alnilam, who is almost certain to return to Prestbury Park for the Grade 2 Paddy Power Arkle Trial at The November Meeting. The obvious one to take from the race was Country Mile, but I’m not convinced he’s a natural chaser over two miles. The Racing TV drone footage showed how slow and deliberate he was at many of his jumps. While it briefly looked as though he was closing down the hill, I think that was more a result of Bowen giving the winner a breather in front. Country Mile has potential but needs a step up in trip - he doesn’t look like a Grand Annual type which many think he could be.

2.25 Foundation Developments Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (2m½f)
Gold For Alec was the one to note. Making his seasonal reappearance, he’s sure to come on for the run and will be better back up in trip. He should be winning soon.

3.00 Grade 2 Oddschecker Novices’ Hurdle (2m½f)
Fortune De Mer doesn’t look the easiest ride, but he’s clearly talented. Dan Skelton has already identified the County Hurdle at the Festival as his target, and it’s easy to see why - he’ll appreciate a strong pace in a big field. Doctor Blue ran a huge race in second on his hurdling debut and should be winning next time, though his performance also highlights how impressive Windbeneathmywings was when beating him by 17 lengths at Ascot last December. I can’t wait to see him.

3.35 squareintheair.com Handicap Chase (2m)
Credit to Dan Skelton - Calico was primed for his seasonal return and made the most of it, landing the £52,000 prize. He’s ultra-consistent at Cheltenham, but this was probably his cup final. Brookie, in contrast, looked like he’d benefit from his first start back. He travelled strongly and kept on for third despite carrying 7lb more than the winner. A tilt at the Shloer Chase in November wouldn’t surprise, but he’s got a big handicap in him off his current mark of 149.

4.10 Champions: Full Gallop Streaming On ITVX Novices’ Hurdle (2m4f)
This isn’t form I’m going to take too seriously, but third-placed Etna Bianco shaped like one who will improve for fences and a longer trip in time.

4.45 Santa – The Visit Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (3m1f)
Regarde has unfinished business at Cheltenham - he can win one of these in similar conditions.

1.10 William Hill Each Way Extra Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (2m4f)
Up to the point he fell four out, Newton Tornado jumped superbly on his chasing debut and looked like he’d take plenty of pegging back. It’s difficult to know how much that fall might affect him, both physically and mentally, but if he’s none the worse, he’ll go close in a similar event soon. Both Crest Of Fortune and Double Powerful are sure to win races this season and would take plenty of beating if they line up for The November Meeting equivalent.

1.45 Play William Hill’s Final One Standing Novices’ Hurdle (3m)
This was the performance of a proper horse. Conman John has a straightforward way of going and sets an early benchmark for the Albert Bartlett. Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore have always thought highly of this son of Malinas, having run him in a Punchestown Festival bumper despite not having previously won. He could return to Cheltenham in November for the Grade 2 2m5f Novices’ Hurdle, though connections might instead wait for the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at The Christmas Meeting over three miles.

2.20 William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase (3m1f)
Runner-up Backmersackme could be very interesting if connections aim him towards the Kim Muir or National Hunt Chase. He’ll need a win to secure a mark high enough for those races, but his shrewd owners will no doubt have a plan. Hoe Joly Smoke travelled like the best horse and is clearly well-handicapped, but he either got very tired or didn’t seem to relish the Cheltenham hill. He’s one to note for somewhere else - Ascot or Sandown Park would suit him well next time.

2.55 Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) (3m)
The first four home - Ma Shantou, Electric Mason, Supremely West, and Long Draw - all booked their places for the final in March. Of those, Ma Shantou and Long Draw are the two to take forward. Ma Shantou has a progressive profile and could head to Haydock for the £100,000 Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle on Betfair Chase Day. Long Draw loves Cheltenham and looks the type Olly Murphy could turn into his first Festival winner if he can remain on a similar mark.

3.30 Masterson Holdings Hurdle (2m)
Run this again in a month and Give It To Me Oj would probably win by a hurdle. He was the only one among the front four not to have had a run this season and did all the donkey work from the front. Unfortunately, there aren’t many conditions hurdles for four-year-olds, so he’ll now need to step into open company - and his mark of 143 won’t make life easy.

4.05 William Hill Extra Places With Bet Boost 'Chasing Excellence' Novices’ Chase (3m1f)
A gritty display from Leave Of Absence, who looked a sitting duck when the smooth-travelling Pied Piper loomed up but found plenty up the hill. Both Sporting Glory and Anyway shaped like potential Kim Muir candidates and go straight onto the early shortlist for that race.

4.40 Oddschecker Open National Hunt Flat Race (2m)
Le Beau Madrik was the best horse in the race and can win a similar bumper next time out. Hans Lippershey also shaped like a smart prospect for Ben Case and looks a winner-in-waiting.