Following the last race on Countryside Day, day one of The November Meeting, Cheltenham’s Clerk of the Course Simon Classie said: “I think the jockeys were really pleased with the ground.

 

“We were lucky to have dodged most of the rainfall that came locally this morning. We are happy with the way it has ridden - the Chase, Hurdle and Cross Country courses.

 

“We have got a dry forecast overnight but are expecting rain from 6.00am or 7.00am lasting through the day.

 

“I am going to update the ground now to Good to Soft on the Chase and Hurdle courses (from Good to Soft, Good in places), and we will see what tomorrow brings."

 

Friday’s stewards’ reports

 

1:15pm MARKEL INSURANCE CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS' HANDICAP HURDLE

Nothing to report

 

1:50pm MUCKING BRILLIANT PADDY POWER HANDICAP CHASE

Bryan Carver, the rider of the winner MAGIC SAINT (FR) was suspended for 2 days for using his whip above the permitted level from after jumping the final fence. Following the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that both BORN SURVIVOR (IRE), placed fourth, and FULL GLASS (FR), which was pulled up after jumping the third last fence, bled from the nose and BEAT THE JUDGE (IRE), placed third, lost its right-fore shoe. Tom Scudamore reported that EAMON AN CNOIC (IRE), unplaced, jumped poorly.

 

2:25pm - SSS SUPER ALLOYS SUPPORTS RACING WELFARE NOVICES' CHASE

Following the race, Sam Twiston-Davies reported that MOSSY FEN (IRE), which was pulled up after jumping the third last fence, jumped right-handed and the Veterinary Officer reported that a post race examination of the gelding failed to reveal any abnormalities.

 

3:00pm GLENFARCLAS CROSS COUNTRY HANDICAP CHASE

The performance of TIGER ROLL (IRE), which started second-favourite and was pulled up, was considered. The representative of Gordon Elliott’s explanation that the gelding was never travelling or jumping fluently on this occasion, was noted. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of TIGER ROLL (IRE) failed to reveal any abnormalities. Following the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that KINGS TEMPTATION, placed sixth, lost its right-hind shoe and VINO ROYALE (FR), which was pulled up after jumping the second last fence, finished lame on its right hind.

 

3:35pm BALLYMORE NOVICES' HURDLE RACE (Grade 2)

Approaching the final hurdle, THE GRAND VISIR, placed fourth, ducked right-handed carrying GRAND MOGUL (IRE), placed fifth, off its intended line, but after viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved and that it had not improved the placing of THE GRAND VISIR. Following the race, Kielan Woods reported that PETRASTAR, unplaced, jumped and hung right-handed and the Veterinary Officer reported that THE GRAND VISIR, placed fourth, lost its right-fore shoe.

 

4:05pm VALDA ENERGY NOVICES' HANDICAP HURDLE

PANIC ATTACK (IRE) wore earplugs throughout the race. Following the race, Joshua Moore reported that MOTDEPAS (FR), which was pulled up, hung right-handed.