'I'll definitely be backing him for the December Gold Cup' - who are the future winners from Cheltenham's November meeting?

Racing Post reporters provide their horses to follow from the Cheltenham November meeting . . .

Fasol

Fourth in the 2m½f novice handicap hurdle on Friday

By David Jennings, deputy Ireland editor

It might seem strange to be putting up a beaten favourite, who could only finish fourth of 15 in the 2m½f novice handicap hurdle on Friday, but Fasol is a shoo-in to exploit his mark soon.

Harry Cobden seemed keen to teach him a few things during the race and he coughed up an easy lead, which will play to his strengths in the long run. He was quite gassy through the event, understandable given it was his first outing since June, but I liked what I saw from the top of the hill to the final hurdle. 

Expect him to leave that reappearance well behind him next time, and he looks just the sort to rack up a sequence over the coming weeks.

Tune In A Box

Fourth in 2m5f conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle, Friday

By Jack Haynes, reporter

This Punchestown festival winner ran with great credit in the meeting opener on ground that was probably quicker than ideal.

The Tom Lacey-trained Tune In A Box gained four wins on yielding and soft ground last season and is open to more improvement when stepping back up in trip.

Tune In A Box had form figures of 112 at around 3m last campaign and his Racing Post Rating of 128 at Cheltenham suggests he is capable of winning off his current mark.

Clap Of Thunder

Fifth in the 2m½f novice handicap hurdle on Friday

By James Stevens, West Country correspondent

Nigel Twiston-Davies will have been thrilled with Friday's performance from Potters Charm, who certainly looks up to Graded level as a novice hurdler, but he had another who caught the eye on the same card in the shape of Clap Of Thunder.

He was a bit keen early on and travelled strongly when sneaking his way through the field before his path was blocked. He couldn't match the front three, who pulled clear, but he clearly has ability and can win off his mark.

Fugitif

Fifth in Paddy Power Gold Cup, Saturday

By Sam Hendry

Once again, a big two-and-a-half-mile handicap prize around Cheltenham went to a regular of those events in Il Ridoto, and the December Gold Cup can also find its way to a familiar home.

Despite drifting to 28-1, this was a very satisfying comeback from Fugitif on his first start since having wind surgery after pulling up on his final two runs last season. Hopefully those problems are behind him and he is cherry ripe for next month.

Fugitif was fourth and beaten a bigger margin in last year’s Paddy Power before going on to down Il Ridoto in a titanic tussle in the December Gold Cup, and you’d have to imagine Saturday’s winner will receive a substantial hike to his handicap mark, whereas Fugitif should stay close to his current 152 rating.

He won last year’s December Gold Cup off 151 and I’ll definitely be backing him to repeat that success.

Springwell Bay

Third in the 3m½f Listed novice chase, Friday

By Harry Wilson

Springwell Bay had to carry a penalty for a smooth Listed chase success on his debut over fences at Chepstow last month and shaped well in third behind Old course specialist Hyland, who was able to dictate the pace he wanted under Nico de Boinville before sprinting away on the turn for home.

Springwell Bay: don't give up on novice chaser says Harry WilsonCredit: John Grossick Racing

Jonjo and AJ O'Neill's runner jumped well on the whole but for a mistake at the second-last, and he was done with soon after, weakening on the run-in having raced keenly throughout.

That's not the first time he has looked a non-stayer at three miles, though, and he didn't look short of speed in comfortably landing his novice over 2m3½f. It would be no surprise to see him dropped in trip and a good middle-distance handicap looks his for the taking this season.

Leader In The Park

Fifth in the 2m4f novice handicap chase, Sunday

By Matt Butler

Leader In The Park faded into fifth, beaten 21 lengths, in what looked like a warm running of the novice handicap chase, but that does not tell the full story.

The winner Peaky Boy was the only other runner of the seven to lack match-fitness, and Leader In The Park shaped like the cliched horse who will come on for the run.

A useful novice hurdler last season, he jumped well and travelled better than most as they turned into the straight.

However, he failed to find much for Ben Jones once they straightened up, an untidy leap at the penultimate fence not helping matters. His chance was gone at that point, but he is not one to give up on.

Read more:

Burdett Road given fine front-running Harry Cobden ride to make all in the Greatwood Hurdle

'This is what you dream of' - 18-year-old Freddie Gingell stars at Cheltenham again on Il Ridoto in Paddy Power Gold Cup 

East India Dock cut to 10-1 for Triumph Hurdle but delighted James Owen could have an even better one for festival prize 

'His jumping was as good as I’ve seen from him' - job done for Jonbon as he returns with second Shloer Chase success 

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