3 Cheltenham Festival contenders to watch out for this week

Cheltenham November meeting weekend is always one of the highlights of the jumps season. Not only do we have some top class action from Prestbury Park to look forward to, we also have brilliant racing in Ireland. The feature race at the other side of the Irish Sea is the prestigious Morgiana Hurdle. That race will give us some clues about the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle in March. We have picked out three horses due to run this week that could also win at the Festival in March.

Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase

The David Cottin-trained six-year-old EASYSLAND was a revelation on the cross-country circuit in his native France. When he ventured over to Cheltenham and won this race by seven lengths last year, one man took action straight away. Irish owner JP McManus snapped him up prior to his return to Prestbury Park for the Glenfarclas Chase. Sent off 3-1 on the day, he turned out to be the easiest winner of the entire week, beating Tiger Roll by a staggering 17 lengths. He can get his season off to the perfect start on Friday and it’s hard to see what will stop him completing the cross-country double again.

SSS Super Alloys Supports Racing Welfare Novices’ Chase

FUSIL RAFFLES was sublime in the Two Farmers Crisps Novices’ Chase on October the 23rd at Cheltenham. He made a winning chasing debut at Uttoxeter, and built on that at Prestbury Park. He looked a picture at Cheltenham on the day and has seemingly really improved for a switch to the larger obstacles. Daryl Jacob went on record saying that he feels two-and-a-half miles is his trip and one day he should get three miles. He is not talented enough to go for the Arkle but if he wins again this week, he is firmly in the picture for the Marsh Novices’ Chase.

Morgiana Hurdle

We also have some top class action in Ireland this weekend and on Sunday SAINT ROI will bid to enhance his Champion Hurdle credentials. The impressive County Hurdle winner started off his campaign with a visually impressive performance in a Grade 3 at Tipperary. Patrick Mullins feels he is Champion Hurdle class and should be treated like such until proven otherwise. JP McManus has a remarkable record in the Champion Hurdle – winning the race nine times. That includes winning the race for the last four years consecutively so this horse is to be feared.

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