High-class novice chase prospect Wholestone is likely to be one of two runners on day one of The Showcase for leading owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

A three-time G2 winner over hurdles at the Home of Jump Racing, Wholestone (Nigel Twiston-Davies) has the chance to double his tally over fences in the £25,000 Matchbook Most Trusted Betting Exchange Novices' Chase (3.45pm, 3m ½f, 17 entries), following a routine success on his chasing debut at Perth on 26 September.

A less familiar name is French import Fred (Nicky Henderson), who is in line to make his British debut later on the card in the £15,000 Foundation Developments Ltd Maiden Hurdle (4.20pm, 2m ½f, 21 entries). The four-year-old finished second in two hurdle races at Auteuil in March, including behind the highly-regarded Franco De Port, who has since joined Willie Mullins.

Impressive Chepstow scorer Torpillo (Nigel Twiston-Davies) holds an entry in the £40,000 Masterson Holdings Hurdle (2.35pm, 2m ½f, 13 entries on day two of The Showcase, Saturday, 26 October, but will only line up if the ground is suitable.

Anthony Bromley, racing manager for Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, said: "I would say Wholestone is likely go for the novice chase on Friday and I think Nicky is keen to get Fred started, so he will run on Friday as well.

"Wholestone has the benefit of run at Perth, which was good. He has been delayed in going chasing because of what he was doing over hurdles, but there are some good races to be won as a novice chaser and we will have a go.

"Fred is a promising horse. He will be one of the first what you might call winter horses running from Seven Barrows and it will be nice to get him out.

"Obviously, with the ground drying out, it does not like it is going to be soft enough for Torpillo on Saturday, but we will see how it is looking later in the week. There is a chance he will go novice chasing instead."

Other highlights on the second day of The Showcase include a pair of £60,000 handicap chases - the "Matchbook Betting Exchange" Handicap Chase (2.00pm, 3m 1f, 27 entries) and Randox Health Handicap Chase (3.10pm, 1m 7f 199y, 18 entries).

The going at Cheltenham is currently Good, Good to Soft in places with rain forecast on Friday and Saturday.

Away from the track, the racecourse will stage its first Cheltoberfest - Cheltenham's twist on the ever-popular Oktoberfest.

The ticketed event takes place in The Centaur over both days of The Showcase and includes live German and Bavarian Oompah music from The Bierkeller Boys, a range of local real ales and Magners Cider, plus tips from a racing tipster before racing commences.

More information can be found at:

https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events-tickets/the-showcase/cheltoberfest/

 

Throughout the day on Saturday, 26 October, there will be a variety of entertainment and demonstrations in The Parade Ring, available in the Club/Tattersalls Enclosure, including:

*A demonstration from the Riding for the Disabled.

*Learn about racehorse anatomy with Rachel Keeble.

*Matt Nicholls (Kim Bailey's assistant) will be talking through how to prepare a racehorse for a day at the races.

*Josh Stacey from the Racing Post will be on hand to provide a tipster talk ahead of racing.

*South West Syndicate Horses will be on parade between racing, a perfect opportunity to find out more and become part of our Syndicate - further details are available at:

https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/membership-and-offers/syndicate-ownership/

As well as entertainment and demonstrations in the Parade Ring, there are stalls and stands to see in the Tattersalls Sales Arena located in the Club/Tattersalls Enclosure, including:

*Representatives from the British Racing School will be available to answer any questions for those that are interested in working in the horseracing industry. More information is available at https://brs.org.uk/

*Retraining of Racehorses will be educating racegoers on a racehorse's life after their career in racing.

*Racing to School delivers free outdoor learning activities for young people at racecourses, studs and trainers' yards across the country. They will be around to teach you how to ride a racehorse with demonstrations and the opportunity for you to have a go by riding the equisizer.

*Matt from Beltane Forge will be showcasing his talent with a live demonstration straight from the forge.