Cheltenham Racecourse will welcome a competitive field for its November Meeting 2026, with 19 horses set to feature in the five-day confirmations for Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup on November 14. The two-day programme covered in the latest entries will also include several Grade 2 contests, a Listed mares’ race and Sunday’s Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle.
The Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase, a Premier Handicap over 2 miles, 4 furlongs and 44 yards, will take place at 2:20 pm on Saturday. The 19-horse confirmation list will include three Irish-trained contenders, with several established names from leading National Hunt yards.
Matata, trained by Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies, will head the weights with 12st. Meetmebythesea, trained by Ben Pauling, will carry 11st 10lb and will feature among the leading contenders alongside Dan Skelton-trained Madara and Blueking d’Oroux.
Skelton will also have Riskintheground among the confirmed runners. Other notable entries will include Johnnywho from the Jonjo and A.J. O’Neill stable, July Flower and Zurich from Henry de Bromhead’s yard, and Quebecois, trained by Paul Nicholls.
Martin Keighley-trained O’Moore Park, Tom Symonds-trained Issam and Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies-trained Guard Your Dreams will also feature. The remaining confirmations will include Norn Iron, Release The Beast, Torneo, Dunkerque, Classic Maestro, Passing Diamond and Moon D’Orange.
The latest going assessment will be Good, with Good to Firm in places. Cheltenham will continue watering the course in cycles of 10–15mm.
Saturday’s Super Saturday Programme at Cheltenham
The Saturday card will begin at 12:35 pm with the Citipost Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase over 3 miles and 1 furlong. The 19-entry contest will include Awaythelad, Brucejack, Dinoland, Express Surprise, Herakles Westwood and Thunder Rock.
At 1:10 pm, the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) will feature 13 entries over 2 miles and 87 yards. Atomic City, Charles Darnay, Don Dandy, Magnetude, Nael Bihoue and Sacre Chef will be among the notable names.
The Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) will follow at 1:45 pm over 1 mile, 7 furlongs and 199 yards. The 12-entry field will include Baron Noir, Bowensonfire, Kabral du Mathan, Old Park Star, Starmount and Workahead.
Following the Paddy Power Gold Cup at 2:20 pm, the From The Horses Mouth Podcast Handicap Hurdle will take place at 2:55 pm. The 23-entry contest will cover 2 miles, 7 furlongs and 208 yards, with Ace of Spades, Blizzard of Oz, Gold For Alec, Horaces Pearl, Mordor and Rambo T among those entered.
The Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle will follow at 3:30 pm over 2 miles and 5 furlongs. A total of 21 horses will feature in the entry list, including Aimeric, A King of Magic, Daylatedollarshort, High Fibre, Moneygarrow and Sa Fureur.
Saturday’s programme will conclude at 4:00 pm with the Karndean Designflooring Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race, a Listed contest over 2 miles and 87 yards. The 20 entries will include Ask Millie, Elegantemente, Kells Bay, Miss Master, Northern Singer and Soleretta.
Carnival Sunday to Feature Greatwood Handicap Hurdle
The Cheltenham November Meeting 2026 will continue on Sunday, November 15, with Carnival Sunday featuring six races and the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle as its principal attraction.
The opening contest will be the mallardjewellers.com Maiden Hurdle at 12:50 pm over 2 miles and 87 yards. The 23-entry race will include Airds Moss, Beau de Maine, Big Win, Bob Bishop, Irish Goodbye, Lastbutnotleased and Marhaba Ghaiyyath.
At 1:25 pm, the Wkd Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase will feature 24 entries over 2 miles, 4 furlongs and 44 yards. Bill Joyce, Blue Carpet, Crystal Island, Dig Deep, Femme Magnifique, Kap Ouest and Passing Diamond will be among the horses listed.
The Weatherite Air Conditioning Handicap Chase will follow at 2:00 pm over 1 mile, 7 furlongs and 199 yards. Its 16 entries will include Boothill, Classic Maestro, Escapeandevade, Hardy du Seuil, Larzac, Milan Tino and Sans Bruit.
At 2:35 pm, the Oddschecker Handicap Chase, a Premier Handicap over 3 miles, 3 furlongs and 71 yards, will feature 11 confirmations. Resplendent Grey will head the weights with 12st, while King of Answers, Monbeg Genius, Double Powerful, Havaila and Guard The Moon will also feature.
The Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle will take place at 3:10 pm over 2 miles and 87 yards. The 24-horse confirmation list will include Iberico Lord, Idaho Sun, The Kemble Brewery, Burdett Road, Give It To Me Oj, Mossy Fen Road, Harry Lowes and Pioneer Pete. Two of the confirmed runners will represent Irish-trained yards.
Sunday’s final contest will be the Three Counties Christmas Open National Hunt Flat Race, a Listed event scheduled for 3:45 pm over 2 miles and 87 yards. The 21-entry field will include Berkstar, Dundee Law, Groovy Train, Hannah’s Kitchen, Helios Forlonge, Home Preserves and Willow Tide.
Cheltenham November Meeting 2026 will feature 19 five-day confirmations for Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup, a seven-race Super Saturday card and six races on Carnival Sunday, headlined by the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to RaceBuzz.