Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Boothill poised to give Jonbon a scare in the Shloer

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck sets the stage for Friday’s ITV Racing action, kicking off the excitement of Cheltenham’s November Meeting.

HYLAND can follow up his recent course success in the Cheltenham opener (1.45pm). Although you might imagine he could struggle when the better horses come out, the ground has stayed sound for him to be seen at his best, and he looked really sure footed over these fences at the last meeting. He comes out marginally better than market rival Springwell Bay at the weights, while the talented hurdler Buddy One hasn’t quite cut the mustard in two chases.

BOOTHILL is a sporting pick to give Jonbon a fright in the Shloer (2.20pm). It’s a bit of a stretch to suggest he can beat him, but I’m tempted into a tiny play at the price on the basis that he will love the ground, and has bags of pace in what could be rather tactical. Throw in a wind-op, and that he looked particularly good when fresh at this time of year last season, and he starts to make a bit of appeal.

SLIPWAY might be the answer to a weird looking cross country (2.55pm). He’s quite talented when he feels like it, and this course might just ginger him up a bit. He’s not fully exposed off this mark, and is a strong stayer who wants quickish ground.

VALGRAND is narrowly preferred to Potters Charm in a nice battle for the Novice Hurdle (3.30pm). They’re closely matched on their good recent course wins, but the former’s closing splits suggests he may just shade it in what could still be a relative test of speed.