Cheltenham Racecourse will stage the Shloer Chase 2026 on Friday, November 13, as part of Countryside Day at The November Meeting. Progressive six-year-old Mighty Bandit will face a strong challenge against Jonbon, who will aim to become the first horse to win the two-mile contest three times following his victories in 2023 and 2024. Trainer Warren Greatrex will send Mighty Bandit into open company with champion jockey Sean Bowen booked for the ride.
Mighty Bandit Prepares for Grade 2 Challenge
Mighty Bandit will arrive at Cheltenham following an encouraging novice chasing campaign during the 2025/26 season. After finishing second on his chasing debut at Newbury in November, the six-year-old will go on to record three handicap chase victories, comfortably defeating more experienced opposition at Newbury and Doncaster.
His progress will earn him a step up to Grade One company at Aintree in April, where he will finish a close fourth in the Hallgarten & Novum Wines Maghull Novices’ Chase during the Randox Grand National Festival.
Greatrex will be pleased with his six-year-old’s preparation following a summer break, which will have given the horse valuable time to recover and develop. Speaking ahead of Friday’s contest, the Upper Lambourn-based trainer will acknowledge the difficulty of competing against experienced opposition but will remain encouraged by Mighty Bandit’s progress.
He will also highlight the horse’s strong finish at Aintree, where he will stay on well despite a long season and interference three fences from home. Greatrex will express confidence in his fitness and readiness, while also pointing out that the horse will handle different ground conditions.
Shloer Chase 2026: Four Runners Declared
The 2:20 PM Shloer Chase will feature four declared runners, with Jonbon heading the line-up. The eight-year-old will seek a third victory in the contest after successes in 2023 and 2024. Gidleigh Park, Mighty Bandit and Saint Segal will provide the opposition in the Grade 2 event. Harry Cobden will partner Jonbon, Bryan Carver will ride Gidleigh Park, Sean Bowen will take the ride on Mighty Bandit, while Ciaran Gethings will partner Saint Segal.
The Shloer Chase will also carry a notable record as a pointer towards future championship success. Since its introduction in 2009, the race will have produced six subsequent Queen Mother Champion Chase winners, including Put The Kettle On, Politologue, Special Tiara, Sprinter Sacre, Dodging Bullets and Sire De Grugy. Uxizandre will also have progressed to win the Ryanair Chase, while Oiseau De Nuit will have gone on to capture the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase.
Cheltenham November Meeting 2026: Three Days of Racing
The Shloer Chase 2026 will form part of Cheltenham’s three-day November Meeting, scheduled from November 13 to 15, with the racecourse expecting to welcome almost 70,000 visitors.
Friday’s Countryside Day will include a tribute to Dame Jilly Cooper, featuring the unveiling of a memorial bench on Crescent Walkway and the renaming of The Retreat bar as The Rutshire Arms. The traditional local Hunt parade and Bobb Hogg’s Dog and Duck Display will also feature in the day’s programme.
Saturday, November 14, will bring Super Saturday, highlighted by the prestigious Paddy Power Gold Cup. The meeting will conclude on Sunday with Carnival Sunday, featuring the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle alongside family entertainment, live music and other attractions.
The Shloer Chase 2026 will feature Jonbon’s bid for a historic third victory and Mighty Bandit’s first challenge in open company, with four runners set for Friday’s Grade 2 highlight at Cheltenham.
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