October meeting eyecatchers: five horses to follow from Cheltenham

Second, 3m novice hurdle, Friday

Dragon Bones and the winner Bardenstown Lad drew ten lengths clear of the field as they duelled to the line and, although it was the latter who prevailed, Dragon Bones can count herself unlucky after struggling for room at a crucial point on the turn for home.

The six-year-old had won five of her last six completed starts before heading to Cheltenham and cruised into contention under Harry Skelton before being squeezed out. She battled gamely up the hill and could have what it takes to compete in Graded company.
Sam Hendry, reporter

Torn And Frayed
Third, 2m4f novice handicap chase, Friday

It was a surprise to see Torn And Frayed held up by Sam Twiston-Davies considering he was prominently ridden in all of his previous seven starts. He put in some impressive jumps this time and stayed on well in the final few furlongs to finish a good third.

This was an eyecatching first run over fences and he should be winning before too long. Softer ground and a step up in trip could bring out further improvement.
James Stevens, reporter

Art Approval
Fourth, 2m4f handicap hurdle, Friday

Fergal O'Brien has stated Art Approval's owner is fixated on competing at Cheltenham, which is understandable, but it does mean easy opportunities are never going to be easy to find.

That said, the five-year-old did enough when finishing fourth on his reappearance in a warm handicap to suggest that when he next gets on the scoresheet it could conceivably be at the home of jump racing.

Art Approval: could be on an attractive mark for future handicaps at CheltenhamCredit: Pool

He certainly won't go up in the ratings for this latest effort – he might even be dropped a pound or two from his 121 mark – and that means the conditional jockeys' 0-125 handicap over the same course and distance at next month's meeting would be an obvious and attractive option.
Lee Mottershead, senior writer

Cloth Cap
Fourth, 3m1f handicap chase, Saturday

Last season's Grand National favourite made an encouraging return in the 3m1f handicap chase, showing up well for a long way before fading into fourth in the home straight. This was his first start since wind surgery and he will no doubt come on for the run.

Cloth Cap's campaign will revolve around a return to Aintree on April 9, with Paddy Power cutting him to 25-1 (from 33) for the Grand National, and it would be no surprise if he is among the contenders in the spring.
Jack Haynes, reporter

I Like To Move It
First, 2m½f hurdle, Saturday

While the season most certainly should not revolve around the festival, it would be no shock to see I Like To Move It line up as a lively contender in the Supreme or County Hurdle in March following his impressive win over the highly-rated Tritonic.

I Like To Move It: pencilled in for a return to the track at a higher level at the November meetingCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The four-year-old, who finished a respectable ninth in last season's Champion Bumper at Prestbury Park, made a winning start over hurdles at Worcester this month and defied his inexperience with a fine jumping performance, storming up the hill away from the Adonis winner.

Tritonic's game effort giving away 8lb made I Like To Move It's win even more likeable, and a tilt at the Grade 2 novice hurdle at the November meeting next month could be up his street before future targets such as the Tolworth or even the Betfair Hurdle – a race his trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has a cracking record in.
Matt Rennie, reporter

Read more:

Aidan O'Brien equals Vertem Futurity record with 'very exciting' Luxembourg

'Luxembourg looks your 2022 Derby winner - there was plenty left in the tank'

From cursing to celebrating: Sam Twiston-Davies endures mixed day at Cheltenham

The jumps season is here! Grab your copy of The Big Jump Off, our 72-page guide to the 2021-22 National Hunt season, from the Racing Post shop or from independent newsagents and many Co-Ops now. It contains a wealth of unbeatable content including ante-post tips, guest columnists, divisional analysis and much more. Don't miss out.