Five horses to follow and best bets for three-day November Meeting at Cheltenham

The features across a fabulous three days of action includes the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday and the Greatwood Hurdle.

We have looked ahead to the pick of the action which features old favourites such as Tiger Roll, Defi Du Seuil and Happy Diva with five horses to follow during the meeting which have been picked out by BettingExpert’s Stephen Harris.

Five horses to follow at Cheltenham this weekend

Protektorat – Trained by Dan Skelton – runs in the 2.25pm at Cheltenham on Friday

A very exciting talent. Protektorat made a striking impression on chasing debut at Carlisle when producing a lovely round of jumping. The Skelton team think a lot of this five-year-old son of Saint Des Saints and this stiff test over two and a half-miles at Cheltenham should really suit. Protektorat faces three rivals at Cheltenham on Friday, but is clearly the one to beat.

Tiger Roll – Trained by Gordon Elliott – runs in the 3.00pm at Cheltenham on Friday

The return of the Tiger. The dual Grand National hero is also one of a select handful of horses who has won four races at the Cheltenham Festival. The 10-year-old son of Authorized was however put in his place in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham in March by the ultra-progressive Easysland and the pair face-off in a mouthwatering contest on Friday. Tiger Roll warmed up for this assignment with a respectable sixth-placed effort on the Flat at Navan and he promises to be suited by drying ground conditions. However, Easysland is a very exciting talent and will prove a formidable rival.

Simply The Betts – Trained by Harry Whittington – runs in the 2.15pm at Cheltenham on Saturday

A classy operator, Simply The Betts won four of his five races last season, culminating in an impressive victory at the Cheltenham Festival. Successful twice over the course and distance last season, the son of Arcadio goes well fresh and looks sure to go close in the feature race of the meeting, the £130,000 G3 Paddy Power Gold Cup.

Tea Clipper – Trained by Tom Lacey – runs in the 2.50pm at Cheltenham on Saturday

An exciting prospect trained by Tom Lacey. Tea Clipper has won four of his last five starts and returned to action with a stylish success at Chepstow last month. Well-regarded by his trainer, Saturday’s contest demands more, but he is a horse on an upward curve and is a horse to note this season.

Captain Tom Cat – Trained by Dr Richard Newland – runs in the 3.25pm at Cheltenham on Saturday

Trained by registered GP Dr Richard Newland, the ultra-progressive is chasing a phenomenal four-timer for connections. Successful at Uttoxeter during the summer, the son od Dylan Thomas benefitted from a fine ride to take out a competitive handicap at Cheltenham in October. He proved on that occasion that he stays this trip and if giving another front-running aggressive ride, he could be hard to peg back.

Best bets for this weekend’s racing

NAP: 2:15: Cheltenham (Saturday): Simply The Betts

Simply The Betts has been the hype horse for the Paddy Power Gold Cup of late. Trainer Harry Whittington cannot speak highly enough of the seven-year-old and his latent ability was plain for all to see with his gutsy win at the Cheltenham Festival in March. This contest demands more, but it is his first start of the season and off a career high mark of 157, he could be in for a very big year.

Next Best: 3:00: Cheltenham (Sunday): Edwardstone

Edwardstone could make a very nice hurdler this season. Successful on his first two starts over timber, which included victory over subsequent Grade One winning hurdler Fiddlerontheroof, the son of Kayf Tara was arguably unlucky when only second at Haydock in Graded company in January.

Things failed to go to plan when he finished sixth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. The ground was too soft on that occasion and he is much better than he showed there. His trainer Alan King won the Greatwood Hurdle last season and this race has been the plan since. He makes plenty of appeal in the feature on Sunday.

Tips and analysis via Betting Expert