Expert horse racing betting tips for Saturday, November 15th 2025

It's a jam-packed schedule for racing this weekend. The Cheltenham November meeting takes the main focus, with the feature race being the Paddy Power Gold Cup. There are also races at Wetherby to consider for our tipsters.

Our Punters Panel are back to give their thoughts on what is certain to be a superb weekend of horse racing!

Introducing the Odds Now Horse Racing Punters Panel

Before we get stuck in, here’s a little bit more on the five experts answering our key questions this week:

SD - The self-proclaimed ‘star of the show’ on Races Now, who has been going viral with his daily tips and betting ring analysis over the past year.

Adam Smith - A betting industry veteran, flat lover and one half of our Races Now double act.

Harry Fowler - Another of Odds Now’s regular racing contributors, currently working in the industry.

Craig Talbot - Owner of Ursa Major Racing, providing affordable and rewarding syndicates for racing fans.

Ande Humphrey - Friend of and occasional guest contributor on Races Now, who has specialised in French racing for over a decade.

Cheltenham November meeting takes centre stage this weekend. Who wins the feature Paddy Power Gold Cup?

AS: Il Ridoto won this last year, is only one pound higher in the handicap, and I think he'll go well once again with a nice run at Chepstow under his belt.

HF: I’m siding with the Skelton's. Panic Attack is a mare who looks on the up over fences. Despite being 9 years old, she’s only had 5 runs over fences. She won at the Berkshire Million last year and hasn’t run over fences since, and looks like it’s always been on the agenda since. The rain is coming for her, and she has some course form, ticking all the boxes for me.

CT: A good renewal. Looks like it will be very testing ground. I do think Il Ridoto will run a massive race, looking to follow up. Has form on soft ground. Panic Attack looks primed for this, too.

AH: It's been the Nicholls Show the last two years, but like all good series, they end and expect that to happen in this. Four places on offer and a very topical selection in Coming Up Easy for Henry De Bromhead. A trainer who likes a fast start, he has over the last 3 years posted strike rates of 25.8%, 16.3%, and 15.8% in November, and so far this year, he is at 22%. It will likely not be a day to come from the back; no worries with this horse as he has improved well for the front-running rides. He’s paid the Irish Handicap Tax, but when does that really stop them?! Stable jockey is likely the choice, and DoK has picked this road. A rare visitor to this race, he was third in 2024 with a punchy Let’s Go Champ rated 142; COE is here off 141, so he’s a fighting chance at 12/1.

Anything else you are backing at Cheltenham on Saturday?

AS: How Kelce (1:10) didn't finish in the top three on his Cheltenham debut over course and distance last month, I do not know. I expect the horse and jockey to benefit from that experience and get amongst the top three here.

HF: In the very next race, and it’s the Skeltons again. Supremely West ran a good third over course and distance last month on seasonal reappearance and first run for Skelton’s. Only up a pound from that good run last time, and I think it will come on a good bit from that run. He’s another horse for whom the rain is only a positive, and the same couldn’t be said for market rival Long Draw.

CT: Jubilee Express EW at 1.10pm makes appeal at the prices.

AH: A lot of the horses in the 1235 have more potential than form, and I’d be interested enough in One Horse Town for Harry Derham for the latter reason. The trainer is 23.5% L14D, and this horse comes in fit and on a high after three penalty kick wins, and most importantly, isn’t scared of being out in front. Precious Man has fine form from France, as does Parchment (the latter should be a super horse in the spring and could even be an Aintree 4yo Hurdle horse). Ireland has won this once in 10 years, and James Owen has a pair, but his last two winners of this had a spin before this race; only Kate O’Riley does this time (GF at Ludlow…).

Two races from Wetherby support the ITV coverage on Saturday, any fancies?

AS: SD strongly fancies Cerendipity, so that's worth a look. I think Heltenham will go well if the monsoon conditions are realised.

HF: In the last (3:43), Issam looks to have a good chance on seasonal reappearance. Only had two runs over fences, won over this trip on chase debut before dropping back in trip and getting just done for toe late on. Callum Pritchard stays on, taking off a useful 5lbs and think is on the up, unlike most in this race.

CT: Push The Button is pleasing the team at home and should go well in the Novices' Chase.

AH: Last two races at Wetherby on ITV, so the 15:10 it is! 5-year-olds have a terrific record in the race, and that narrows down the field nicely to two, and I'm back with my old mate Derham and Cueros. It should have been tough to pick between him and Fresh Perspective, but the Snowden horse jumped the Fontwell hurdles horrendously and then staggered home. That race was just over a month ago, on harsh enough conditions for a lightly raced animal. The selection showed a real knack for the obstacles and ran through the line lovely at Newcastle. Given his head and a long, wide straight as he had at Newcastle, this could be a lovely placement from the trainer. However, he has to carry the burden of stonehands Patrick Mullins, which is rather baffling, but hopefully, he can do it.

Back to Cheltenham on Sunday, pre-declarations, what takes your eye?

AS: Since his UK debut, Iberico Lord has had three breaks of 90 days or more and won on all three occasions. So I think he's bang interesting in the Greatwood Hurdle (3:30). His mark has been coming down, and this race is calmer waters than much of his most recent starts.

HF: In the 1:45 Jig’s Forge looks to have a good chance on his Chase debut. He starts here at 2 and a half miles, which I think is his trip. He was tried over 3 miles last season three times, and I don’t think he stayed. Back to the trip which saw him win on hurdle debut, assuming he takes to fences like I think he will, the mark of 132 is a winnable one.

CT: Serious Challenge looks well handicapped at 127. He was rated 100 on the flat for the Fergal O Brien team.

AH: Difficult at this moment to know what it’ll look like come Sunday at Cheltenham, but well worth noting how much Dan Skelton and Alan King like the Greatwood. Mirabad is of interest as the horse has the same(ish) timings for its last run as West Cork did when winning in 2021. Ran in February, boxed since, and out again. In the last three renewals that Alan King has had a runner, they’ve finished 3rd, 5th and 1st, so bear Helnwein in mind too at 14s. In the bumper, I'd be interested if the Skeltons run Trigg. Jockey bookings at this stage can mean something and/or nothing, and Harry is “booked” for The Mad Poet. A few in there are set to come off a long break, and Trigg travelled very well and won cosily enough at Worcester last time to warrant a good look.

Should a race calling itself a 'National' and on ITV be worth more than £11,618 to the winner? Southern National at Fontwell on Sunday.

AS: Yorkshire, London, Southern, two in Wales, three in Scotland, Midlands, and there's more that I have missed. It's quite ridiculous, is it not? SD will likely tip the winner of the race in question - see @RacesNow_ on Sunday morning.

HF: It is quite low for all mentioned above. It’s not a quality race, but that does have a direct correlation with the prize money. It’s disappointing, but it’s an issue across the entire country in racing.

CT: Definitely should be worth more prize money, that’s for sure. It’s clearly a wider issue within the sport.

AH: Sure, why not? If we can have a ‘Birrifico Angelo Poretti Handicap Chase’ at Uttoxeter on the same day, then all's fair to me. The history of racing is something to be proud of and something that should be respected. It provides stories that can be passed down and arguments between old blokes down the pubs and social clubs. History and folklore are leaving this society quicker than ever, so let’s keep what we have left and let others swipe away at everything else.

Who will be crowned champion trainer this National Hunt season?

AS: Willie Mullins just has the firepower that can't be matched, doesn't he? Skelton will make a good go of it, Nicholls doesn't bother with the Festival anymore, and Nicky can't see further than a furlong in front of him.

HF: I do think that Dan Skelton could take some catching this year. It’s obviously just between him and Willie Mullins, but I don’t think just coming over for the bigger race meetings will be enough for Mullins. Skelton has got off to a flyer, and his team is looking stronger this year.

CT: Dan Skelton, I think he has a very good team, and The New Lion could be his real flagship horse this year.

AH: Willie Mullins, and if it were possible, I would place lay Paul Nicholls.