How are the markets shaping up for the big handicaps at Cheltenham's November meeting?

Cheltenham's three-day November meeting takes place next weekend and weights for the Paddy Power Gold Cup and Greatwood Hurdle were released on Tuesday, which makes this a great time to peruse the ante-post markets and pinpoint some of the key entries . . .

Paddy Power Gold Cup entries and weights

2.20 Cheltenham, November 16

Topweight: Protektorat

Stage Star took last year's Paddy Power Gold Cup on his seasonal reappearance after winning the previous season's Turners Novices' Chase and the trainer plots a similar route here with Ginny's Destiny, who found only Grey Dawning too strong in the festival Grade 1 contest earlier this year. The eight-year-old was last seen finishing second behind Il Etait Temps in the Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree and reverts to handicaps off what looks a workable mark.

Ginny's Destiny: three-time Cheltenham winner as a novice last seasonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Harry Derham has made a flying start to the season and has Imagine entered here. The former Gordon Elliott inmate was purchased for €320,000 at the sales in February after winning two of his three chase starts. He had subsequent Grade 1 winner Inothewayurthinkin behind when scoring at Fairyhouse last November and if taking that form at face value an official mark of 145 for this stable debut has the potential to underestimate him.

Il Ridoto finished a 12-length third behind Stage Star in this race last year and comes into this year's running on a 6lb lower mark, although it's now bordering on two years since his last win.

In Excelsis Deo was pulled up in the Galway Plate when last seen, but he won a handicap chase on the New course here on his previous start and on Racing Post Ratings that was a career-best performance.

In Excelsis Deo: winner of the Silver Trophy at Cheltenham in AprilCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Henry De Bromhead enjoyed a one-two in a valuable handicap chase at the October meeting and has Lets Go Champ entered here. The Roger Brookhouse-owned nine-year-old is lightly raced for his age, having had just the nine starts, and finished in the top three in all bar one outing. 

The Jamie Snowden-trained Ga Law is two from two in handicap chases at Cheltenham, winning this race in 2022 and landing a valuable race on Trials day earlier this year. He ran well off a big weight on his seasonal debut at Chepstow last month and this stiffer test should suit.

Ante-post market

Paddy Power: 7-2 Ginny's Destiny, 11-2 Imagine, 9 Il Ridoto, 10 In Excelsis Deo, 12 Djelo, Ga Law, Lets Go Champ, Stage Star, 14 Fugitif, Protektorat, 16 Colonel Harry, Shakem Up'Arry, Weveallbeencaught, 20 Hartur D'Arc, Idalko Bihoue, Seddon, Straw Fan Jack, Visionarian, 25 Jetoile, Madara, Marsh Wren, 33 Kotmask, 40 Editeur Du Gite, Issar D'Airy, Janidil, 50 Gemirande 

Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle entries and weights

3.30 Cheltenham, November 17

Topweight: Luccia

Fergal O'Brien's Dysart Enos has triumphed on her last six starts and was one of the leading fancies for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the festival before she was withdrawn due to lameness on the morning of the race. All three of her hurdle wins have come at odds-on and she now tackles handicap company for the first time. She lacks experience but a rating of 131 looks attractive. 

Burdett Road has also had just three starts over hurdles, winning impressively on his first two starts before finding only Sir Gino too strong on Trials day. A setback ruled him out of the remainder of the jumps season but he has recently enjoyed success on the Flat, bolting up by eight and a half lengths in a 1m4f Listed race at Newmarket in September before finishing sixth behind leading stayer Kyprios on Champions Day at Ascot. He looks well in off a hurdles rating of 133 given his 109 Flat rating.

Burdett Road: took Grade 2 honours at last year's November meeting Credit: John Grossick

Dan and Harry Skelton combined to win this race with West Cork in 2021 and the partnership could be represented by Be Aware, who was beaten by just half a length on his handicap debut at Sandown when last seen in April.

The Olly Murphy-trained Go Dante finished sixth in this race last year before gaining two wins, with the more recent success coming in the competitive Imperial Cup at Sandown. He is entitled to come on for his reappearance sixth in last month's Welsh Champion Hurdle when five and three-quarter lengths behind Lump Sum – who could reoppose.

Go Dante (right): gutsy winner of the Imperial Cup at Sandown in MarchCredit: Edward Whitaker

Galway Hurdle sixth Under Control could represent Nicky Henderson, Nico de Boinville and JP McManus, the same trainer-jockey-owner combination which combined to win this race 12 months ago with Iberico Lord.

Emmet Mullins could be saddle Jacovec Cavern, who has not been seen over hurdles since finishing a 200-1 sixth in the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at the 2023 Punchestown festival. He finished ninth when sent off the 5-1 joint-favourite for last month's Cesarewitch at Newmarket.

Ante-post market 

Unibet: 10-3 Dysart Enos, 7 Burdett Road, 8 Be Aware, 10 Go Dante, Jacovec Cavern, 12 Under Control, Tounsivator, 14 Lump Sum, Liari, Toll Stone, Kabral Du Mathan, 16 Jingko Blue, Tellherthename, Williethebuilder, Volantis, 20 Break My Soul, Fiercely Proud, Milan Tino, 25 Anyharminasking, Luccia, Hansard, Teddy Blue, Kalif Du Berlais, Royal Way, 33 Florida Dreams, Icare Desbois, Tritonic, Homme Public, 40 Black Poppy, Tintintin, Cracking Rhapsody, Tapley, Skycutter, Excelero, 50 Afadil, Stream Of Stars, 66 Spirit D'Aunou, Napper Tandy, Schmilsson, 100 Lively Citizen

Read these next:

Heavyweight entries revealed for King George VI Chase and Betfair Chase - but two notable big guns missing from Kempton 

'We've got to make sure we don't overdo it' - tracks wary of winter conditions as battle against dry weather continues 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.