The Cheltenham November Meeting, known to many traditionalists as The Open, has evolved from modest post-war beginnings into a three-day National Hunt horse racing showcase.
Staged every mid-November at Cheltenham Racecourse, it is widely celebrated as the true start of the jump racing season, an event that bridges the autumn lull and the excitement of the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Over more than six decades, the November Meeting has developed a rich history filled with iconic races, legendary horses, master trainers, and unforgettable moments that continue to resonate with UK racing fans of the sport.
Origins: The Mackeson Gold Cup
The roots of the November Meeting date back to 1960, when Mackeson sponsored the inaugural running of the handicap chase that would become its signature race. Run over 2½ miles on the Old Course at Cheltenham racecourse, the race quickly set the standard for early-season contests.
The first winner, Fortria, ridden by Pat Taaffe, was already a dual Champion Chase hero. His success immediately gave the new track fixture credibility as a launchpad for top-class chasers. Fortria would return to win again in 1962. Soon after, Gay Trip took two renewals (1969, 1971) before famously winning the 1970 Grand National carrying top weight.
Through the 1960s and 70s, “the Mackeson” became a fan favourite, testing seasoned chasers across Cheltenham’s 16 demanding fences in a stamina-sapping steeplechase. Weight-carrying performances like Dunkirk’s victory under 12st 7lb in 1965 became part of the lore. Crowds gathered to see a quality field of contenders gallop up the hill, knowing the winner was often a Festival horse in waiting.
Legendary trainers like Tom Dreaper and Fred Rimell targeted it, while jockeys such as Taaffe and Terry Biddlecombe cemented its prestige.
1980s: New Races, Growing Prestige
The meeting began to expand beyond its flagship chase. In 1987, Cheltenham introduced the Greatwood Hurdle, a two-mile handicap that quickly became a springboard for Champion Hurdle contenders. Its first winner, Celtic Shot, went on to claim hurdling’s top prize later that season.
The decade also produced remarkable double winners such as Half Free (1984, 1985). Other notable names included Very Promising (1986) and Pegwell Bay (1988), each leaving their mark on the racecourse. By the end of the 80s, the November Meeting was growing into a mini-festival of its own, offering fans a broader experience of National Hunt racing.
1990s: The Open Meeting Takes Shape
The 1990s saw the meeting branded as The Open. Key Festival trials were moved to November: the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Trial, the Hyde Novices’ Hurdle, and the Arkle Trial Novices’ Chase all became staples of the weekend.
The fixture expanded to three days, with Friday’s Countryside Day added to the Saturday Gold Cup and Sunday Hurdle programme. This cemented its identity as a mini-festival in its own right.
The decade also saw sponsorship shifts: Mackeson bowed out in 1995 after 35 years, replaced by Murphy’s Brewery, and later Thomas Pink. Yet fans still called the feature “the Mackeson.” Trainer Martin Pipe began his era of dominance, eventually saddling a record eight winners of the race between 1987 and 2005.
2000s: Paddy Power Era and Famous Winners
In 2003, Paddy Power took over as sponsor, injecting prize money and profile. This era produced some of the race’s most famous winners:
- Cyfor Malta (1998, 2002), trained by Martin Pipe, became a crowd favourite.
- Imperial Commander (2008) landed the Gold Cup and later stormed to Cheltenham Gold Cup glory in 2010.
- Exotic Dancer (2006) pulled off the November–December double, a feat only three horses have ever achieved.
Meanwhile, the Greatwood Hurdle blossomed into a Grade 3, with winners like Rooster Booster (2002) using victory as a springboard to Champion Hurdle success.
The new Shloer Chase was added in 2009, producing unforgettable moments like Sprinter Sacre’s emotional comeback win in 2015. Watching the mighty thoroughbred stride down the track again brought Prestbury Park to life.
2010s: A New Name, Same Drama
In 2017, Cheltenham officially rebranded The Open as The November Meeting, to avoid confusion with golf’s Open Championship. The identity changed, but the drama remained.
The decade saw a string of competitive handicaps with big-priced winners. In 2017, Splash of Ginge stormed home at 25/1 in heavy ground, epitomising the unpredictability of the race.
The novice events also continued to signal future stars. Altior (2015 Supreme Trial) and Thistlecrack (2016 Novices’ Chase) announced themselves here before becoming Festival legends. Put The Kettle On (2019 Arkle Trial) made history as the first mare to win the Arkle the following spring.
Today: Legacy and Significance
The November Meeting remains a three-day festival blending tradition with innovation:
- Friday’s Countryside Day kicks off with rural celebrations and the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase.
- Saturday’s Gold Cup Day features the Paddy Power Gold Cup, still affectionately called “the Mackeson.”
- Sunday’s finale showcases the Greatwood Hurdle and Shloer Chase, often uncovering Festival stars of the future.
The roll of honour is packed with greats: Fortria, Gay Trip, Bradbury Star, Cyfor Malta, Imperial Commander, Sprinter Sacre. Record-breaking trainers like Martin Pipe and champion jockeys such as AP McCoy have written their names into its history.
More than just an early-season fixture, the November Meeting is a historic cornerstone of the jumps calendar.
