The opening day of The November Meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse will celebrate the life and legacy of the late Dame Jilly Cooper, with the Cross Country replacement race on the card run in her honour as The Jilly Cooper Veterans’ Handicap Chase.
Following the cancellation of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase last month due to firm ground, the six-race card on Friday 13th November will now feature a 2m 4f Veterans’ Handicap Chase on the Old Course, open to horses aged 10 and over. The race will carry Jilly’s name for this year only.
Cheltenham Racecourse is preparing to welcome almost 70,000 racegoers to The November Meeting, taking place from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th November. The three-day fixture promises thrilling Jump racing, live music and entertainment in the heart of the Cotswolds.
The action begins on Friday 13th November with Countryside Day, which will have a special focus this year as the racecourse pays tribute to Dame Jilly Cooper. A regular visitor to Cheltenham, Jilly held a special place in her heart for the racecourse. To mark the occasion, a memorial bench will be unveiled on the Crescent Walkway, The Retreat bar will be renamed The Rutshire Arms in tribute to her famous works, and friends and family will gather at the racecourse to celebrate her life and legacy.
In addition, Countryside Day celebrates rural life, with the traditional local Hunt parade and Bobb Hogg’s Dog and Duck Display among the highlights taking place ahead of the first race.
Saturday 14th November sees the return of Super Saturday, one of the most anticipated days of racing outside the Cheltenham Festival. The highlight is the prestigious Paddy Power Gold Cup, which is expected to attract a competitive field and could offer an early glimpse of horses to watch when the action returns to Prestbury Park in March.
The meeting concludes on Sunday 15th November with Carnival Sunday, a celebration of racing and family entertainment. Alongside a competitive racing card featuring the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, visitors can enjoy a range of family-friendly activities, live entertainment and attractions designed to make the day memorable for racegoers of all ages.
Guy Lavender, Chief Executive of Cheltenham Racecourse, said: “The November Meeting is such an important part of our season. It’s often described as a mini-Festival, and we’re looking forward to welcoming almost 70,000 racegoers across the three days.
“This year’s meeting will be particularly special as we celebrate the life of Jilly Cooper, who was a dear friend of the racecourse and loved by so many who share her passion for the countryside. We hope the tribute will be a fitting celebration of her life and legacy, and that racegoers will join us in raising a glass in her honour.”
