Every racing fan knows the Cheltenham Festival in March as the sport’s biggest stage — but just a few months earlier, the November Meeting offers its own piece of magic at Prestbury Park.
Both share the same iconic course, passionate crowds, and the unmistakable Cheltenham buzz, yet they’re worlds apart in scale, stakes, and atmosphere.
For fans and punters alike, it’s also a prime opportunity for wagering on upcoming races, giving early insights into form, potential stars, and the narratives that could shape the season ahead.
Often considered the main festival’s little brother, this three-day fixture is more than just a warm-up. It’s where storylines begin, where form takes shape, and where the buzz of Cheltenham begins again after a long summer.
November vs March
The Cheltenham Festival, held each March, is the pinnacle of jumps racing. It spans four full days, features 28 races, attracts around 70,000 people daily, and has approximately £4.9 million worth of prize money.
In contrast, the November Meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse tends to take place over a slightly more relaxed three-day weekend. While it doesn’t have the same global spotlight, it still boasts top-class handicaps, novice chases, and features the iconic Gold Cup Handicap Chase, a race won by some highly celebrated horses.
Many trainers use the November Meeting as a warm-up and a chance to see how their horses have summered. While March is about conclusions and crowning champions, November is about trainers questioning and getting clues about whether their horses will be real contenders in the spring.
Examples of November success stories
Cheltenham’s November Meeting has a history of giving horses their first taste of the big stage, with some showing a hint of potential and others going on to real glory.
Over the years, several horses that finished in the top three at Cheltenham’s November Meeting have gone on to achieve victory at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
For example, Imperial Commander won the Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in November 2008 and went on to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March 2010.
Sizing Europe is another clear case – he won the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at the November Meeting in 2007 and later carried that form into Festival week, eventually winning the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March 2011.
Another notable example is Coneygree, who, after a strong performance at the November Meeting, became the first novice to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2015.
That said, the pattern is not automatic, as the November Meeting more often provides early clues than firm answers.
When November winners fall short
While many horses that perform well at Cheltenham’s November Meeting go on to shine at the Festival in March, not all winners carry that momentum forward. Some horses that triumphed in November races have struggled to replicate that form when the Festival spotlight is on them.
For instance, Douvan, winner of the 2016 Arkle Challenge Trophy, was expected to continue his unbeaten streak at the March Festival. However, he suffered a surprising defeat in the 2017 Champion Chase, finishing well behind the winner despite being a dominant favourite.
Similarly, Third Time Lucki, who secured a Grade 2 victory in the November Novice Chase in November 2021, was anticipated to perform strongly at the Festival. Unfortunately, he did not manage to replicate his earlier success.
The transition from November to March involves various factors, including changes in competition, ground conditions, and the pressure of the Festival environment, all of which can influence a horse’s performance.
As we look ahead to the Cheltenham November Meeting from 14th to 16th November 2025, we can expect plenty of drama and surprises. The three-day meeting will bring together experienced stars and promising newcomers, all hoping to make their mark.
While it gives us hints about potential Festival contenders, nothing is ever guaranteed — and that uncertainty is part of what makes racing so exciting.
