Paul Hawksbee and Andy Jacobs were live again from Cheltenham racecourse for the second day of the Cheltenham Festival! They were joined by ... Read more
The November Meeting is back with a bang this year! Friday 12th-Sunday 14th November will be packed full of top-quality racing, hospitality, and entertainment for punters both at Cheltenham racecourse and at home. This is an unmissable event at the home of Jump Racing which The Wine Tipster is excited to present at. Here he shares his top hospitality tips and racing selections ahead of the weekend.
Racing
Countryside Day (Friday 12th) launches the meeting off in style with six outstanding races including Handicap Chase (1:45), The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeplechase (2:55), and The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle Race (3:30).
Paddy Power Day (Saturday 13th) features seven exciting races including the biggest Jump racing fixture before Christmas: Gold Cup Handicap Chase (2:15). Last year, Coole Cody joined the historic list of Gold Cup winners, who will be joining them this year?
Finally, Family Fun Day (Sunday 14th) rounds off the meeting with top-quality entertainment all day alongside the last six thrilling races of The November. The highlight of the schedule is The Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (2:55).
Catch most of the weekend’s races on ITV and check out Race Replays for the action right after it’s happened. For all the information on the weekend’s schedule of races, download your Digital Racecard with The Jockey Club App.
Hospitality
The next question after which races to watch and who to back is where to watch them from? Cheltenham’s three enclosures each boast a unique racegoer experience with different hospitality options. The Best Mate Enclosure has a top class view of the Grandstand and course and a good selection of food outlets; The Tattersalls Enclosure gets you closer to the action of the Winner’s Enclosure and Winning Post as well as having great views from the Grandstand and top food options; and finally, The Club Enclosure will get you into all the food and drink outlets and racecourse areas for a truly premier Cheltenham experience.
This year’s food and drink options are second-to-none, with something to satisfy every racegoer from mobile catering units to luxury bars and restaurants. See below for a map of all the top attractions this meeting:
The Wine Tipster is especially excited about visiting The November Lounge over the weekend, and with its TV and bar, what more could he need! The wines on offer across the course are particularly special this year, and The Wine Tipster is looking forward to presenting on the wine list and the value of raceday hospitality in the Panoramic Restaurant and the Cheltenham Club on the top floor of The Princess Royal Stand.
In particular, the following wines really stand out from the wine list and are well worth a try if you are at the course or at home:
- Bolney Estate Foxhole Vineyards Pinot Gris 2019, Sussex England – an aromatic and fruity white wine which is medium-bodied and smooth with plenty of fresh pear and citrus. Goes well with fish, goat’s cheese, and spice.
- Petaluma White Label Chardonnay 2019, Adelaide Hills, Australia – a rich and complex white wine with lovely creaminess and ripe melon on the palate. Goes well with risotto and smoked fish.
- St Hallett Faith Shiraz 2018, Barossa, Australia – a medium-bodied and spicy red with dark berry fruits and pepper and chocolate tones. Goes well with lamb, slow-cooked stews, and meat dishes.
- Catena Appellation Vista Flores Malbec 2018, Mendoza, Argentina – a rich and complex red which is highly rated and full-bodied. Goes well with steak.
- Château Léoube Rosé de Léoube 2020, Côtes de Provence, France – a classy and elegant rosé with flavours of wild strawberries. Goes well with seafood and lighter dishes.
If you’re not at Cheltenham this weekend, you can still get in the racing spirit with a Glenfarclas cocktail (sponsors of the Cross Country Handicap Steeplechase). Why not try the delicious and easy to make 105 Mizu-Wari cocktail with 25ml Glenfarclas 105 and 150ml Soda water, served long with lots of ice and garnished with an orange slice.
Entertainment
The November Meeting is always packed with fun and exciting entertainment from music to family fun activities. This year is no different, with a spectacular range of features to enjoy. Countryside Day has a huge amount to offer, with a Gun Dog Display and Hound Parade, the ROR parade, an Air Display from the Bremont Great War Display Team, Kaleb Cooper from Clarkson’s Farm, and the return of the Tattersalls Cheltenham November Sale. For more shopping opportunities, make your way to The Shopping Village with over 70 trade stands.
For great music, the Hipcats will be walking around bringing Jazz to every corner of the racecourse and in the Village, The Lucky 15’s are playing between races. After-racing entertainment across the three days will also include a DJ set from BBC Radio 1’s Chris Stark and The Chip Shop Boys.
Looking for some family fun? Sunday’s activities for all the family include a bouncy castle, inflatable fun, animals from St James City Farm, face painting, arts and crafts, pet balloons, and much more! Under 18s go free and 18-24 year olds get half price tickets, so why not make it a family day out to Cheltenham?
For more information on the weekend’s schedule of events, check out the November Meeting website here.
The Wine Tipster wishes you the best November Meeting yet and hopes you enjoy the raceday hospitality experience. Share how you celebrate with him on Social Media, subscribe to his latest blogs here, and look out for his Unibet Racing blogs across the weekend. Cheers!
Jump Season is well underway, and as we await the return of The Festival at Cheltenham in the Spring, The November Meeting is where the magic really starts. As the biggest Jump racing fixture before Christmas, the November Meeting is unmissable. Celebrate this three day meeting with The Wine Tipster from the comfort of your own home this year.
Kick off the November Meeting with Wednesday night’s Preview Evening hosted by Tom Nugent featuring Ruby Walsh, Paddy Power, ITV Racing, Mick Fitzgerald and Emma Lavelle. Join the panel at 8pm via Zoom as they chat through the racecards and horses to watch out for.
Countryside Day – Friday 13th Nov
Starting the Meeting in style, Countryside Day features 6 amazing races including The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase at 3:00 – a must see for all Cross Country fans, and a great excuse for a Glenfarclas Whiskey to accompany it! The 1:50 Handicap Chase is another great Class 2 race. For the full race schedule check out the Cheltenham Website here, and for a line up of horses, see Racing Post here.
Saturday 14th November
Featuring the iconic 2:15 Gold Cup Steeple Chase and 6 other quality races, Saturday’s racecard is spectacular. The Wine Tipster is looking forward to the 12:30 JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial and the 1:40 Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices Steeple Chase, both of which highlight the top racing talent who will go on to The Festival in March.
Tune in to races live on ITV Racing across all three days, or on Racing TV. Race Replays are also available 20 minutes after the winner crosses the line, and is a great way to watch racing highlights from over the years. Check the November Meeting results here!
Sunday 15th November
The final day of the meeting, and the last chance to see the thrilling races such as the 1:15 Novices’ Steeple Chase, the 2:25 Shloer Steeplechase (another great excuse for a drink with a Shloer mixer!), the unmissable Unibet Greatwood Hurdle Race at 3:00, the 3:35 Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle Race and the 4:05 Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race which is a great quality flat race this time of year.
November Meeting At Home
With racing remaining behind closed doors, The Jockey Club and the Wine Tipster have an array of ways to celebrate the meeting in style from the Jump Season Hub.
- See Claisse’s Corner for all course updates and the Going video ahead of racing each morning.
- Read Kalendar Magazine from The Jockey Club South West, full of great interviews with top jockeys such as Jonjo O’Neill Jr and his father Jonjo O’Neill Snr and Cheltenham Racecourse Director Zara Tindall MBE.
- Why not train like a jockey with an online Barre Class from Torre Barre, starting 15th November.
- You could host a Cheltenham Countryside Raceday Lunch at home on Friday 13th November whilst making a donation to the Countryside Alliance for The Great British Get Together. Share your pics with the hashtags #Chelfie and #gbgettogether with @CheltenhamRaces.
- Got kids to entertain? Why not include them in the raceday fun with an activity pack! Full of wordsearches, colouring pages and facts, you might even find yourself tempted to print one too!
Nyetimber Classic Cuvée MV, Sussex (Waitrose £36.99, Majestic)
To celebrate a winner or two enjoy a glass of bubbly from Nyetimber, who produce Grade 1 English Sparkling. Their dry, Classic Cuvée MV is a beautiful blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, with a lovely balance of intensity and elegance. Winemaker Cherie Spriggs is making wonderful wines so look to try to try their Nyetimber Rosé NV too from Waitrose at £39.99.
Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2018, Rhône, France (£8.00 in Asda and Tesco)
This blend of Grenache Blanc and Viognier is great value and so versatile. Les Dauphins made by leading Rhône producer Cellier des Dauphins has fruity notes of apricot and peach, complemented by ripe fruitiness and lovely smoothness. Great as an aperitif, with salads, seafood and chicken in a creamy sauce.
Château Léoube Rosé 2019, Provence, France, (Daylesford shop £17.95)
Provence in Southern France is the obvious place to go for classic pale pink, lighter styles of rosé. Château Léoube is very delicate and elegant and this dry organic rosé is lovely on its own or with some salmon, seafood or cheese. Château Léoube has the most fantastic location and they also produce beautiful olive oil available at Daylesford too. Lord and Lady Bamford, owners of Château Léoube and Daylesford, are big horse racing fans and owners.
St. Hallett ‘Faith’ Shiraz 2018, Barossa Valley, Australia (£16.99 and £14.99 mixed case of six Stockist: Majestic)
This is classic Barossa Valley Shiraz with bold flavours of pepper, plums with herbaceous and savoury character too, whilst never being too heavy on the palate this is a wine to savour. Great with a roast or full flavoured vegetarian dishes.
The Wine Tipster will be celebrating the day by pairing these bottles with a delicious local cheese, Rollright, pork pies from his local Butchers, and some top quality Severn & Wye Smoked Salmon.
As the Meeting ends on Sunday, why not celebrate with a classic Roast Dinner. Looking for some inspiration for your Sunday Roast? The Jockey Club’s Head Chef, Warren O’Connor, suggests Roast Sirloin and Crunchy Roast Potatoes here. This would go down a treat with any of the Red Wines mentioned above or in The Wine Tipster’s Autumnal Reds suggestions for The Jockey Club, available here.
The Wine Tipster hopes The November Meeting bring some much needed fun this Winter, and that you can enjoy it safely at home. Share how you celebrate with him on Social Media, and subscribe to his latest blogs here.
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