The Cheltenham November Meeting takes place from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026. The three-day fixture is one of the major early-season meetings in British jump racing, featuring the Paddy Power Gold Cup, Greatwood Handicap Hurdle and several important novice races.
Friday’s Countryside Day includes the Grade 2 Shloer Chase and Hyde Novices’ Hurdle. Saturday’s Super Saturday features the Paddy Power Gold Cup, while Sunday’s Carnival Sunday centres on the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle.
The meeting follows Cheltenham’s October Showcase and provides another opportunity to assess established chasers, improving handicappers and novice hurdlers and chasers before the winter programme develops.
Cheltenham November Meeting 2026: Key Information
| Detail | November Meeting 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dates | Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026 |
| Racecourse | Cheltenham |
| Course | Old Course |
| Racing | National Hunt |
| Friday | Countryside Day |
| Saturday | Super Saturday |
| Sunday | Carnival Sunday |
| Main Saturday race | Paddy Power Gold Cup |
| Main Sunday race | Greatwood Handicap Hurdle |
| Scheduled races | 19 across three days |
Friday has six scheduled races, Saturday has seven and Sunday has six. The published programme and off-times remain subject to change.
The meeting takes place on Cheltenham’s Old Course, which is left-handed and undulating, with a stiff uphill finish. The same course stages the October Showcase and the opening two days of the Cheltenham Festival.
Our Cheltenham Racecourse guide covers the track, facilities, travel and visitor information.
Cheltenham November Meeting 2026 Race Schedule
The three days combine valuable handicaps with conditions races for established horses and novices.
The Paddy Power Gold Cup and Greatwood Hurdle are the principal handicap betting races. The Shloer Chase, Arkle Trial and Triumph Hurdle Trial provide opportunities to assess horses competing under the conditions of their respective races.
The schedules below are based on the published 2026 programme. Check the final racecards for confirmed runners, declarations, going and off-times.
Friday 13 November: Countryside Day
Friday opens the meeting with six races. The Grade 2 Shloer Chase is the principal race for established two-mile chasers, while the Hyde Novices’ Hurdle provides an early test for promising novice hurdlers.
| Scheduled time | Race | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 1.10pm | Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle | About 2m 5f |
| 1.45pm | Veterans’ Handicap Chase | About 2m 4f |
| 2.20pm | Listed Novices’ Chase | About 3m 1f |
| 2.55pm | Shloer Chase, Grade 2 | About 2m |
| 3.30pm | Hyde Novices’ Hurdle, Grade 2 | About 2m 5f |
| 4.00pm | Novices’ Handicap Hurdle | About 2m |
Shloer Chase
The Shloer Chase is a Grade 2 race over approximately two miles. It regularly attracts established chasers returning to action as the winter season gathers momentum.
Sprinter Sacre won the race in 2015 for Nicky Henderson before returning to Cheltenham to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the 2016 Festival.
Defi Du Seuil defeated Politologue in the 2019 Shloer Chase. Politologue reversed that form when winning the Champion Chase the following March.
Those results demonstrate why the Shloer is worth following without treating it as a definitive Festival trial. Horses can arrive at different stages of fitness, and the ground and opposition may change considerably before March.
When assessing the 2026 race, compare previous two-mile chase form, jumping accuracy, the expected going and each runner’s record after a break.
Hyde Novices’ Hurdle
The Grade 2 Hyde Novices’ Hurdle is run over approximately two miles and five furlongs.
Previous winners include Black Jack Ketchum in 2005, Fingal Bay in 2011 and Coneygree in 2012. Coneygree went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2015.
The Hyde can provide useful form for the Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury later in the season. Fingal Bay and Parlour Games are among the horses to win both races.
The intermediate distance makes stamina important, but a novice also needs to jump fluently when the pace increases. A horse that travels well before losing momentum at its hurdles may find stronger opposition difficult to contain.
Friday’s Listed Novices’ Chase
The Listed novices’ chase is scheduled over approximately three miles and one furlong.
This race can provide an early test for horses stepping up in distance or beginning their careers over fences.
A strong hurdle rating is useful background, but a novice chaser must demonstrate that it can jump accurately and maintain its rhythm over the longer trip. Errors can become increasingly costly as the field approaches Cheltenham’s uphill finish.
Veterans’ Handicap Chase
Friday’s veterans’ chase is scheduled over approximately two miles and four furlongs.
Experienced horses can retain plenty of ability, but their best historical form should not be treated as evidence of their current level.
Recent performances, the horse’s present handicap mark, the expected ground and its record at Cheltenham are more relevant when assessing the race.
Saturday 14 November: Super Saturday
Saturday is the feature day of the meeting, with the Paddy Power Gold Cup supported by the Grade 2 Arkle Trial and Triumph Hurdle Trial.
| Scheduled time | Race | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 12.35pm | Triumph Hurdle Trial, Grade 2 | About 2m |
| 1.10pm | Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase | About 3m 1f |
| 1.45pm | Arkle Trial Novices’ Chase, Grade 2 | About 2m |
| 2.20pm | Paddy Power Gold Cup, Premier Handicap | About 2m 4f |
| 2.55pm | Handicap Hurdle | About 3m |
| 3.30pm | Intermediate Handicap Hurdle | About 2m 5f |
| 4.00pm | National Hunt Flat Race | About 2m |
Paddy Power Gold Cup
The Paddy Power Gold Cup is the feature race of the November Meeting. It is a Premier Handicap Chase over approximately two miles and four furlongs.
The race was first run in 1960 and was known as the Mackeson Gold Cup from 1960 to 1995. Its long history and competitive handicap conditions have made it one of Cheltenham’s most recognisable autumn races.
The roll of honour includes Gay Trip, Bradbury Star, Pegwell Bay, Dublin Flyer, Senor El Betrutti, Imperial Commander, Al Ferof and Splash Of Ginge.
Imperial Commander won the race in 2008 before taking the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2010, defeating Kauto Star and Denman.
Frodon finished second to Baron Alco in the 2018 November race before winning Cheltenham’s major December handicap chase the following month.
The Paddy Power Gold Cup is not a level-weights championship race. Each horse’s handicap mark determines the weight it carries relative to its rivals, making current ratings and recent form central to assessing the field.
A progressive chaser may still be improving faster than its rating. An established horse may become competitive after dropping in the weights, although a lower mark is only useful if the horse retains sufficient ability.
The likely pace also matters. A runner that races too freely over this distance may have little left for Cheltenham’s demanding finish.
Arkle Trial Novices’ Chase
The Grade 2 Arkle Trial is run over approximately two miles and provides an early test for novice chasers.
Al Ferof won the race in 2011, Dodging Bullets in 2013 and Put The Kettle On in 2019. Put The Kettle On returned to Cheltenham to win the Arkle Chase at the 2020 Festival.
A novice chaser’s jumping technique is especially important over two miles. Horses need to maintain their speed while meeting their fences accurately.
A runner that wins despite making mistakes may have improvement to come, but repeated errors can become a serious disadvantage against stronger opposition.
Triumph Hurdle Trial
The Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle Trial gives juvenile hurdlers an early opportunity to race at Cheltenham.
Defi Du Seuil won the November trial in 2016 before taking the Triumph Hurdle at the 2017 Cheltenham Festival.
Juvenile hurdlers often have limited experience over obstacles, and some arrive after careers on the Flat. Their jumping, ability to settle and response to Cheltenham’s uphill finish deserve close attention.
An early trial winner may develop into a leading Festival contender, but the juvenile division can change substantially as more horses gain hurdling experience.
Saturday’s Staying Handicap Hurdle
The three-mile handicap hurdle is another useful race for assessing staying form.
A horse that has performed well over shorter distances still needs to demonstrate that it can sustain its effort over three miles at Cheltenham.
The handicap mark, expected going and likely pace should be considered together. A strong pace can make the race particularly demanding for a horse whose stamina is unproven.
Sunday 15 November: Carnival Sunday
Sunday closes the meeting with six races, headed by the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle. The card also includes a staying handicap chase and a Listed National Hunt Flat race.
| Scheduled time | Race | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 1.15pm | Maiden Hurdle | About 2m |
| 1.45pm | Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase | About 2m 4f |
| 2.20pm | Handicap Chase | About 2m |
| 2.55pm | Premier Handicap Chase | About 3m 3½f |
| 3.30pm | Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, Premier Handicap | About 2m |
| 4.00pm | Listed National Hunt Flat Race | About 2m |
Greatwood Handicap Hurdle
The Greatwood Hurdle is the main race on Sunday. It is a Premier Handicap Hurdle over approximately two miles and regularly attracts established handicappers alongside younger horses with scope to improve.
Its previous winners include Celtic Shot in 1987 and Rooster Booster in 2002. Both went on to win the Champion Hurdle.
Other notable winners include Detroit City in 2006, Sizing Europe in 2007 and Khyber Kim in 2009. Sizing Europe later developed into a leading two-mile chaser, winning the Champion Chase in 2011.
The Greatwood requires a different approach from a Grade 1 hurdle. A horse’s official rating determines its handicap weight, but its current ability may have changed since that mark was assigned.
A progressive hurdler may be capable of outperforming its rating. An experienced runner with a falling mark may also become competitive again, provided its recent performances show that it retains enough ability.
The likely pace can be decisive in a large-field two-mile hurdle. Horses that race too freely can use valuable energy before the final climb, while hold-up runners may need a clear passage through the field.
Sunday’s Staying Handicap Chase
The Premier Handicap Chase is scheduled over approximately three miles and three and a half furlongs.
Stamina and accurate jumping are essential over this trip. A horse that has won over three miles may still face a more demanding test at Cheltenham, particularly if the ground is soft.
Previous form over comparable distances, the current handicap mark and the horse’s ability to finish strongly should carry more weight than an isolated run over a shorter trip.
Listed National Hunt Flat Race
Sunday’s final race is a Listed National Hunt Flat race, commonly called a bumper.
Bumpers give young jumping prospects racing experience before they compete over hurdles or fences.
A strong performance can make a horse worth following later in the season, particularly if it settles well and finishes strongly. The result does not establish how well it will jump once it begins racing over obstacles.
Cheltenham November Meeting History and Famous Winners
The November Meeting has a long association with horses that later achieved success at the Cheltenham Festival and other major National Hunt meetings.
Its principal handicaps have produced championship performers, while its novice races have helped establish horses that later competed at the highest level.
Paddy Power Gold Cup: Dual Winners and Historic Records
The Paddy Power Gold Cup was first run in 1960 as the Mackeson Gold Cup. Five horses have won the race twice.
| Horse | Winning years |
|---|---|
| Fortria | 1960 and 1962 |
| Gay Trip | 1969 and 1971 |
| Half Free | 1984 and 1985 |
| Bradbury Star | 1993 and 1994 |
| Cyfor Malta | 1998 and 2002 |
Gay Trip also won the 1970 Grand National and finished second at Aintree in 1972.
Cyfor Malta’s second victory came four years after his first, when he was trained by Martin Pipe and ridden by Tony McCoy.
Other notable winners include Exotic Dancer in 2006, who also won Cheltenham’s December Gold Cup that season, and Al Ferof in 2012, who had previously won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Leading Paddy Power Gold Cup Trainers and Jockeys
Martin Pipe trained a record eight winners of the race: Beau Ranger, Challenger Du Luc, Cyfor Malta twice, Lady Cricket, Shooting Light, Celestial Gold and Our Vic.
Fred Rimell won four consecutive renewals from 1968 to 1971, including Gay Trip’s two victories.
Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Tipping Tim in 1992, Imperial Commander in 2008, Little Josh in 2010 and Splash Of Ginge in 2017.
Jonjo O’Neill won with Exotic Dancer in 2006, John’s Spirit in 2013 and Taquin Du Seuil in 2016.
Nicky Henderson trained Fondmort to win in 2003. Fondmort later won the Ryanair Chase at the 2006 Cheltenham Festival.
Tony McCoy rode four winners: Cyfor Malta in 1998, Lady Cricket in 2000, Shooting Light in 2001 and Exotic Dancer in 2006.
These records provide useful historical context. For the 2026 renewal, current entries, trainer form and each horse’s handicap mark are more relevant than a trainer’s long-term record alone.
Greatwood Hurdle: Famous Winners
The Greatwood Hurdle was first run in 1987, when Celtic Shot won for Fred Winter and Peter Scudamore. Celtic Shot returned to Cheltenham to win the Champion Hurdle in 1988.
Rooster Booster carried 11st 12lb to victory in the 2002 Greatwood before winning the Champion Hurdle in 2003.
Detroit City won the Greatwood under the same weight in 2006. He had already won the Triumph Hurdle and later won the Cesarewitch on the Flat at Newmarket.
Sizing Europe won the 2007 Greatwood before developing into a leading chaser. Khyber Kim won in 2009 and went on to finish second in the Champion Hurdle.
More recent winners include Garde La Victoire in 2014, Elgin in 2017 and Harambe in 2019.
Philip Hobbs trained four Greatwood winners through 2014, while Paul Nicholls won three renewals in the historical record covered by the original article. Alan King trained both Elgin and Harambe.
The Greatwood’s history makes it worth following, but a victory in November does not guarantee that a horse will develop into a championship hurdler. The quality of the field, handicap mark and subsequent performances all matter.
November Meeting Winners Who Progressed Later in the Season
The November Meeting has produced several notable performances by horses that later won major prizes.
Coneygree won the Hyde Novices’ Hurdle in 2012 before developing into a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.
Thistlecrack won a three-mile novices’ chase at the 2016 meeting before taking the King George VI Chase at Kempton later that year.
Put The Kettle On won the 2019 Arkle Trial before winning the Arkle at the following Festival.
The meeting’s race programme has changed over time. Historical winners should therefore be considered alongside the race conditions and distances in place when they competed, rather than assuming every former trial appears on the current card.
Cheltenham November Meeting Betting Guide
Check the Going
Cheltenham’s Old Course can provide a demanding test when the ground is soft.
November conditions vary, so check the official going rather than assuming that every renewal will be run on testing ground. Our guide to the going in horse racing explains the ground descriptions and how they affect a horse’s performance.
A horse with proven Cheltenham form has useful experience, but the distance and surface of those previous races need to be comparable with the current contest.
Assess Returning Horses Individually
Many leading jumpers make their seasonal return during the autumn.
Some have raced during the summer, while others are returning after several months away. Trainers may also have different targets later in the winter.
A horse’s record after a break, recent trainer form and the demands of its chosen race can help assess whether its previous form is likely to be relevant.
Do not assume that every returning horse needs a run or that every well-backed runner is fully fit.
Compare Handicap Marks
The Paddy Power Gold Cup and Greatwood Hurdle are handicaps, making the weights central to assessing the runners.
Compare each horse’s current mark with the ratings from which it produced its strongest recent performances. Our guide to reading horse racing form explains how Official Ratings, recent results and race conditions fit together.
Then consider whether the horse has improved, whether its recent form is relevant to the distance and whether it is likely to handle the ground.
The novice races require a different approach. Jumping experience, improvement and the quality of previous opposition can matter more than a direct comparison of handicap ratings.
Pay Attention to Jumping
Cheltenham rewards horses that jump accurately while maintaining their rhythm.
A novice can have considerable ability but lose ground through repeated errors. An experienced chaser may be more reliable, although its current speed and stamina still need to be assessed.
Watch how a horse approaches its obstacles, lands and responds when the pace increases. These details can be more informative than a finishing position alone.
Assess the Likely Pace
A strong early pace can place additional demands on stamina, especially in the longer chases and hurdles.
Horses that race prominently may be vulnerable if several runners compete for the lead. Hold-up horses can benefit from a strong pace, but they may also encounter traffic in larger fields.
Consider each runner’s usual racing style and the likely shape of the race rather than treating its preferred position as an advantage in every contest.
Compare Each-Way Terms
The major handicaps can attract competitive fields, making each-way terms relevant.
Check the number of places, the place fraction and the available win price. A bookmaker offering extra places may have a shorter price than a rival offering standard terms.
Our extra-places bookmaker comparison explains the features to check when comparing each-way markets.
Be Careful with Early Festival Comparisons
A strong performance at the November Meeting can provide useful evidence for the Cheltenham Festival in March.
However, horses can improve, change distance, switch between hurdles and fences or take different targets as the season develops.
The opposition, ground and race conditions may also be substantially different at the Festival.
Follow horses that jump accurately, perform well against strong opposition and finish their races with purpose. Reassess them when they run again rather than relying on a single autumn performance.
Cheltenham November Meeting 2026 Runners and Racecards
The final fields will be confirmed closer to 13–15 November 2026.
Early entries and ante-post prices do not guarantee that a horse will run. Check the declarations, jockey bookings, weights and going before assessing each race.
The Paddy Power Gold Cup and Greatwood Hurdle are the principal handicap betting races. The Shloer Chase, Arkle Trial, Triumph Hurdle Trial and Hyde Novices’ Hurdle provide opportunities to assess horses in conditions races.
For the wider month’s programme, see our [November 2026 horse racing fixtures](https://www.britishracecourses.org/horse-racing-in-november
Betting on Cheltenham November Meeting 2026
Ante-post betting markets open on the two big handicaps as soon as the weights are announced.
Most of the runners will be having their first run of the season, and the recent record of favourites here suggests a cautious approach is required.
Several of the races could provide clues to the Cheltenham Festival in March. It is a meeting to watch with an eye to the future.
If you are looking to bet onlin,e we recommend the following great deals:
bet365 Horse Racing
BET £10 GET £30 IN FREE BETS
The bet365 Cheltenham offer is one of the best out there. As one of the top UK bookies we would expect this. The offer is a current deposit £10 and get £30 in free bet credits, for information and T&Cs follow the links below.Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Full T&C's Apply
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.Betfred Cheltenham Offer
£40 IN FREE BETSThe Betfred offer is a great one -deposit £10 and get up to £40 in bet bonuses. These can be used on a variety of betting markets including racing, football and other sports. For more information on this leading UK bookmaker read our full view.New customers only. 00:00 06/03/26 – 23:59 13/03/26. Register with FRED40, deposit with Debit Card, and place your first bet of £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to receive £20 in Sports Free Bets and £20 in Acca Free Bets within 24 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment exclusions & T&Cs Apply.
Full T&C's ApplyCoral Cheltenham Offer
GET £20 IN FREE BETSCoral is another hugely popular bookmaker and a high-street name. This deal for new customers is a good one, for more information on this free bets credit either follow the link or check out our bespoke review. As with all betting offers certain terms and conditions will apply.18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 1x £20 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. #AD Restrictions apply.
Full T&C's ApplyBoyle Sports Horse Racing
BET £10 GET £40 IN FREE BETSBoylesports Bet 10 Get 60 Cheltenham Offer is for Ireland Customers Only18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply.
Full T&C's ApplyWilliam Hill Cheltenham Offer
GET £30 IN FREE BETSBet £10 and get £30 in free bet credits with William Hill for the Cheltenham races. These can be used on all the big races at the Festival including the Gold Cup, Champion Chase and Champion Hurdle. Certain deposit restrictions may apply.18+. Play Safe. Online only. Ends 31.12.26. New UK customers only, registering with promo code R30. Make your first deposit of £10+, then place a £10 single bet from main balance at odds of 1/2+ on any sports market (excluding Virtuals). Get £30 in Free Bets (3x£10) after settlement. Free Bets valid on any sports market excl. Virtuals, expire in 7 days, non-withdrawable and must be used in full (£10 each). Deposits via PayPal, Neosurf, Paysafe, Apple Pay, NETELLER, Skrill, ecoPayz, Kalibra/Postpay and WH PLUS Card excluded. One per customer. Full T&Cs apply. #ad
Full T&C's ApplyLadbrokes Cheltenham Offer
BET £5 GET £20 IN FREE BETSBet £5 and get £20 with Ladbrokes is a good deal for punters who want to wage a small amount of their money but see a decent amount of free bet credits. As one of the leading and most respected bookies in the UK there are lots of benefits to opening an account whether for Cheltenham betting or at other times of the year.18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £/€5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. #AD Restrictions apply.
Full T&C's Apply
