November 16 / 13.45 Cheltenham

13.45

Good

Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (Reg’ As The November) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £42712.5
  • 1m 7f 199y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (Reg’ As The November) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/6 (Won)

  • Win: £1.91
  • Place: £1.10

Form: P225-1

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in County Hurdle here (2m1f, heavy) in March before close fifth in Scottish Champion Hurdle (2m, soft); made bad mistake at fourth fence but impressed otherwise on recent chase/seasonal debut at Stratford (2m3f, good to soft); leading claims if conditions suit (unraced on good ground).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

15:30 Aintree

LEau Du Sud

11st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Third of five in Grade 1 Maghull Novices' Chase here (2m, good) 12 months ago and reappeared with a win in the Grade 2 Shloer at Cheltenham (2m, soft) in November; ran well when 12l third in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) last month but doesn't appear to be crying out for this step up in trip, and Harry Skelton rides Grey Dawning.

11/1

3rd

6

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

LEau Du Sud

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Progressive in the main; smart novice chaser last term and ties in closely with Majborough on Arkle bare form (good to soft; finished a close fourth); below par in the 2025 Tingle Creek when last seen but this looks the day to catch him; successful the last three times he has returned from a break of two months or bigger, most recently in this season's Shloer over C&D (soft) when easily beating his rivals and registering a fourth Graded win, as well as cementing his Champion Chase claims; favourably fresh and rightly respected.

4/1

2

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

LEau Du Sud

11st 12lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

One of Britain's best 2m novice chasers last season and held his own in the Grade 1s at Cheltenham and Aintree; didn't jump as well as he can on the latter occasion when tried in cheekpieces and those aids are now left off; high in the weights for a reason but he may prefer softer ground and will have new handling, having only been ridden by Harry Skelton in Britain.

11/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 454P-1 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Returned to form when comfortably making all in five-runner handicap at Carlisle (2m, good to soft) last month, getting off the mark over fences at the seventh attempt; faces a much tougher test of his credentials today but he was impressive last time and could make another bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

19

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Western Zephyr

10st 6lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Useful 2m form for Charlie Longsdon in autumn 2024, including on this course, but his season ended badly; off to a good start for new yard when runner-up at Haydock (2m4f, soft; first-time cheekpieces, retained) last month but there's not much common ground between that run and what will be needed today.

40/1

2nd

3

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:28 Haydock

Western Zephyr

11st 9lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Made a winning return at Carlisle (2m) in October 2024 but his form nosedived later in the season, pulled up in the Topham at Aintree last spring on his final run for Charlie Longsdon; since changed hands for £20,000 and he needs to hit the ground running for his new yard after ten months off.

25/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 2035-1 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
One of the highlights of his hurdling career was his Grade 2 novice win here (2m, good) last October; had to work hard to prevail in a match at Uttoxeter (2m, good) on his recent chase and seasonal debut, but he beat a useful prospect and could have a very bright future over fences; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Lookaway

12st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Landed the bumper on this card in 2022; justified market support in major handicap at Kempton (good to soft; first attempt at 3m under rules) most recently, taking chase record to 3-5 and overall strike-rate to 9-20; remains particularly unexposed over this sort of distance and commands respect returned to Aintree, with further progress plausible.

13/2

1st

6

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Lookaway

11st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

A front-runner and not the only one; however, he was a Grade 2-winning hurdler and very much heading the right way over fences, as his third at Newbury (2m, good to soft) has worked out well and he then won by 24l over 2m4f here last month (left clear two out) despite being taken on by Leader In The Park; looks well in off only 4lb higher and, although unraced over this far, he's always looked a strong stayer at 2m4f.

10/1

Form: F74114 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Represents respected Irish yard and he won a Grade 3 novice at Roscommon (2m, soft) in September; not beaten far when fourth of four in a warm novice over this C&D (good) three weeks ago but there's a suspicion he'll be vulnerable under a 5lb penalty this afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18

24th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 7f 180y

16:23 Listowel

San Salvador

10st 12lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Three Flat wins this year, the latest over 1m5f at Ballinrobe in July; jumping was untidy at times on return to chasing at Galway; down the field in the Cheltenham Festival novice handicap in which Anyway finished second; plenty to prove.

10/1

4th

1

1st Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

San Salvador

11st 12lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Dual-purpose performer is 8-28 in all codes, two of his wins coming over fences in novice chases; has been plying his trade on the Flat recently with good success, including two wins; fell at Leopardstown and tailed off at Cheltenham in his last two chase starts so he has something to prove now returned to this discipline.

13/1

1

(11)

21st Jul 2025

Yielding

1m 4f 184y

19:30 Ballinrobe

San Salvador

10st 0lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Seven wins under all rules with last one coming in a Killarney conditions race in May; even better form when beaten only 4l in the Ascot Stakes h'cap last time; this trip is fine too and is a big player.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: -21131 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 6yo who made it 3-4 over fences when winning a handicap at Kelso (2m1f, good) last month; a couple of the others may have greater potential but he's clearly thriving and could give another good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

14:45 Market Rasen

Breizh River

11st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Win/placed form in his usual cheekpieces before making all for a narrow success in the newly fitted visor (with tongue-tie worn for last seven starts) at Cartmel (2m5f, good); he's getting high in the weights now (raised another 4lb) and he won't be the only one racing prominently.

9/1

1st

3

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 2

16:15 Cartmel

Breizh River

11st 11lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

In fine fettle in recent runs, landing his fifth win over fences at Kelso (2m5f, good) in April and placed since at Aintree and Perth; swaps cheekpieces for a first-time visor and looks sure to give another good account.

3/1

2nd

9

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:27 Perth

Breizh River

10st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Career bests on the RPR front in his last two races, winning at Kelso (2m5f) and close up at Aintree (2m4f; again on good); could run well, though a nagging concern that he didn't appear to stay 3m when he tried it once before (at this track).

10/1

Form: 07-792 D BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
0-5 over fences but there have been bright moments, including a good run in this race 12 months ago (good to soft) and a creditable second in a handicap at Aintree three weeks ago (2m, good; back from break) behind a well-treated winner; he might not be far away now he's back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

17

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Petit Tonnerre

11st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Out of form since his 16-1 win in this race last year; possibly back on a competitive mark now, only 3lb higher than 12 months ago; however, needs to step up on the form of his Aintree run.

10/1

7th

10

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Petit Tonnerre

10st 12lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Soundly beaten ninth in this 12 months ago (good to soft) and tailed off on his last three starts; however, the return to better ground can help and he won a big-field handicap at Punchestown (2m, yielding) last May; on a handy mark judged on that Irish form and he's not discounted.

20/1

5th

2

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 2

15:40 Chepstow

Petit Tonnerre

11st 8lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Beat 22 rivals to win at Punchestown festival (2m, yielding) last May but looked out of sorts on both appearances since returning from a break in November and needs to turn a corner.

10/1

Form: 2-2413 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won a Class 4 handicap at Sedgefield (2m, good to soft) last month on second chase start and faced tough task when creditable third of four in warm novice contest over C&D (good) last time; this 5yo may have more to offer but others have considerably more substance to their claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

29th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 78y

Class 4

14:40 Doncaster

Noble Anthem

11st 7lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Probably flattered by his proximity in a tactical novice chase at Cheltenham last month and has since had his limitations exposed in a Grade 2 there; however, he's back at a much more realistic level today and still has plenty of scope to progress from his convincing handicap win at Sedgefield (2m, good to soft) three starts ago.

9/2

2nd

7

29th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 78y

Class 4

14:40 Doncaster

Noble Anthem

11st 7lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Probably flattered by his proximity in a tactical novice chase at Cheltenham last month and has since had his limitations exposed in a Grade 2 there; however, he's back at a much more realistic level today and still has plenty of scope to progress from his convincing handicap win at Sedgefield (2m, good to soft) three starts ago.

9/2

7th

6

16th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

13:45 Cheltenham

Noble Anthem

11st 4lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Won a Class 4 handicap at Sedgefield (2m, good to soft) last month on second chase start and faced tough task when creditable third of four in warm novice contest over C&D (good) last time; this 5yo may have more to offer but others have considerably more substance to their claims.

40/1

100/1

Form: 5-

Last run: 375 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Changed hands for £160,000 after winning two Irish points in first part of 2023; however, he was well beaten on his rules debut in a novice chase at Warwick (2m4f, soft) last November and has been absent since; wears a first-time tongue-tie for this return; may be best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

10th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

14:05 Ayr

Ballymackie

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Ex-Laura Morgan; dual point winner (one on yielding to soft) who got off the mark under rules on stable debut last time when winning at Leicester (2m4f, good); up 8lb; the one to beat.

8/13

4th

1

31st Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:50 Warwick

Ballymackie

12st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

in touch with leaders, prominent on outer before 11th, weakened before 2 out

4/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.70
Straight Forecast £12.87
Tricast £23.96
Trifecta £42.10

Selections

RP RATINGS:

L'Eau du Sud

SPOTLIGHT:

Lookaway

TOPSPEED:

Breizh River

WEST COUNTRY:

Petit Tonnerre

THE NORTH:

Breizh River

POSTDATA:

L'Eau du Sud

The Times:

L'Eau du Sud

Telegraph:

L'Eau du Sud

The Guardian:

L'Eau du Sud

D Express:

L'Eau du Sud

Daily Mirror:

L'Eau du Sud

The Sun:

L'Eau du Sud

Daily Mail:

Lookaway

The Star:

Lookaway

Daily Record:

Lookaway