A festival hero and a juvenile described as ‘a rocket’ – key horses to note for Cheltenham’s November meeting
Cheltenham’s big three-day meeting is on the horizon, and here we assess some of the potential runners you need to know about on Saturday and Sunday . . .
Parchment, described by bloodstock agent Tom Malone as “a rocket” and “a Triumph Hurdle horse,” could make his British debut in Saturday’s Grade 2 trial (12.35) for that Cheltenham Festival race.
The son of Triple Threat won at Clairefontaine in June for Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm before being bought privately by David Pipe. Parchment now represents owners John White and Anne Underhill, who have enjoyed Grade 1 juvenile success with Le Rocher.
David Pipe could have an exciting one in ParchmentCredit: Alex Davidson
The ownership combination have also had a Cheltenham Festival winner, courtesy of Siruh Du Lac in the 2019 Plate, and White will be hoping his tried-and-tested route of buying a three-year-old from France, which worked so well with 2014 Ryanair Chase winner Dynaste, can pay off again.
Parchment beat Pourquoi Pas Papa, who was subsequently bought for €200,000 by Paul Nicholls, by a length and a half when last seen, and the third and fourth both won their next starts.
Last year’s Greatwood Hurdle winner Burdett Road could bid to score at Cheltenham’s November meeting for the third successive season in Saturday’s Grade 2 Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase (1.45).
The five-year-old has not jumped a fence in public, but it would be foolish to underestimate James Owen’s representative at this track.
Burdett Road: could make his chasing debutCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Burdett Road was second in the Champion Hurdle on his last Cheltenham start, taking his form figures on the Old course to 112, and even his defeat on the New course came in creditable circumstances when chasing home subsequent dual Grade 1 winner Sir Gino on 2024 Trials day.
The form of Burdett Road’s Listed Kempton second on his last outing was boosted by the winner, Rubaud, following up in the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday.
Dan Skelton has changed Protektorat‘s starting point this season as, rather than running him off top weight in the Paddy Power Gold Cup as he did last year, the 2024 Ryanair Chase winner will instead appear a day later in Sunday’s 3m3½f handicap (2.55).
The ten-year-old had been due to make his reappearance in the Charlie Hall Chase at the start of the month, but was a non-runner in that Wetherby Grade 2 due to unsuitably quick ground.
Protektorat (Harry Skelton): looks set to run at Cheltenham on SundayCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Skelton made clear in his Racing Post stable tour that a repeat bid for the £165,000 Fleur de Lys Chase at Windsor in January is Protektorat’s main target for the season, so it will be interesting to see how he fares back in handicap company over the longest distance he will have encountered.
Skelton has always been able to rely on the veteran, who will turn 11 on January 1, for a good chunk of prize-money and, given his trainers’ title aspirations, it is important that one of his stable stalwarts demonstrates his usual enthusiasm on his comeback.
William Hill have Bud Fox sharing 16-1 Champion Bumper favouritism with Grangeclare Park, Lultimatom and Lemmy Caution, and the Punchestown festival winner will gain some course-and-distance experience for that Cheltenham Festival race on Sunday.
Bud Fox winning at the Punchestown festival under Derek O’ConnorCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)
The Gavin Cromwell-trained four-year-old won a Bellharbour point-to-point for Derek O’Connor before his successful rules debut when last seen in April, and he will attempt to extend his unbeaten record in the Listed 2m½f bumper (4.00).
Chicker was successful over track and trip last month, while Saint Jeannais was described in glowing terms by syndicate manager Paddy Brennan after his Worcester win last month. They should ensure a decent early-season test of Bud Fox’s Champion Bumper credentials.
Read more:
‘He’ll go back to Cheltenham next in what we hope will be an exciting season – the plan is to work back from the County Hurdle’
‘It’s going to be a very different experience’ – Gold Cup-winning rider Rachael Blackmore handed new role at Cheltenham
The importance of being eager: why it could pay to follow front-runners in Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham
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