Race Preview

1:50 Cheltenham

Friday 23 October 2026 ·5 runners KTB Selection: Jarrive de Mee · 65/100

This Class 2 novices' steeplechase at Cheltenham over two miles on good ground features a compact but high-quality field of five. The KTB Fit scores identify Jarrive de Mee and Bowensonfire as the two most interesting runners with ratings of 65 and 63 respectively, while Passing Diamond sits on 55. Official ratings range from 127 to 143 and the race carries GBB status, promising a competitive renewal of a race designed to highlight chasing talent.

How the race shapes up

The pace shape is described as genuinely run with medium confidence, featuring a front-runner likely to be pressed by several handy types. Passing Diamond is expected to take the early lead from his front-running style, with Jarrive de Mee, Glen To Glen and Ice Jet all prominent or handy, ensuring an honest gallop. Bowensonfire is the sole hold-up performer and will be dropped in behind. The key question is whether the prominent brigade can maintain their efforts in a truly-run race or if the hold-up horse can pick them off late.

The KTB Fit ranking

  1. 1Jarrive de Mee KTB Selection65/100

    Form 14/6-6 · W. P. Mullins · Mr P W Mullins

    Family: the dam has had 2 other runners, none of them a winner.

    Jarrive de Mee is a high-class performer who has won both starts at today's trip and holds a rock-solid official rating of 138. He drops back from 2m6f while showing two wins from four runs on good ground. The yard's 12% strike rate at Cheltenham from 1,134 runs is below their 22% at other tracks, and the jockey has a 10% strike rate here from 131 rides. With a prominent run-style, racing handily on or close to the lead, he should be well placed to track the pace. The family note records that the dam has had two other runners, none of them a winner. Recent form reads 14/6-6.

  2. 2Bowensonfire63/100

    Form 7-4233 · Gordon Elliott · Jack Kennedy

    Bowensonfire is a high-class performer who has placed on both previous runs at Cheltenham and arrives in solid recent form. He drops back to a trip he has won at four times from nine starts though his record on good ground is only modest, with one win from seven attempts. The trainer's 10% strike rate at the course from 696 runs sits below his overall mark, while the jockey has an 11% strike rate here from 146 rides. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he will be ridden for a late run in what is expected to be a genuinely-run contest. He is dropping in class and his recent form is 7-4233.

  3. 3Passing Diamond55/100

    Form 113111 · Ben Haslam · Richie McLernon

    Passing Diamond is a high-class performer with a strong recent record of six wins from the last seven starts. He drops back from 2m4f to a trip he has already won over while showing a solid record on good ground with five wins from nine attempts. The trainer is still seeking a first Cheltenham winner from nine previous runners, and the jockey has a 6% strike rate at the course from 142 rides. A confirmed front-runner who tends to make the running or race on the pace, he is likely to set the tempo in a race with several other prominent runners. He is stepping up in class with recent form figures of 113111.

  4. 4Glen To Glen52/100

    Form 5R138F · Nick Scholfield · Kielan Woods

    Glen To Glen is a high-class performer on his day but has been inconsistent of late and fell at the last on his most recent start. He has run just once at Cheltenham, finishing 18th with no win or place, and drops back in trip today having been well held over much further last time. The yard has only one run here so far which is too small a sample to judge. He is stepping up in class with recent form of 5R138F.

  5. 5Ice Jet52/100

    Form 112V21 · Dan Skelton · Harry Skelton

    Ice Jet is a high-class performer who arrives in solid form with a recent 112V21 sequence and has already won at today's trip. He holds an official rating of 127 after 17 runs and shows two wins from ten starts on good ground. The trainer records a 12% strike rate at Cheltenham from 592 runs which sits below his 19% elsewhere, while this is the horse's first appearance here. A prominent runner who usually races handily, he is stepping up in class.

KTB verdict

Jarrive de Mee stands out as the KTB Selection. He brings a rock-solid rating of 138, has won both previous starts at the trip, and his prominent style should see him ideally placed in a race that is set to be run at a genuine pace. While he has no course form, the Mullins team know what is required at Cheltenham even if their strike rate here is below their general standard. The main dangers are Bowensonfire, who has placed both times at the track and is in good order, and Passing Diamond, whose prolific recent winning sequence cannot be ignored despite the step up in class.

KTB Selection Jarrive de Mee

Early prices

The best price per runner across the bookmakers we track, each as first seen (UK time). Every runner had a price by 1:20am, 23 Oct. Prices move — see the live racecard for current prices.

RunnerEarly priceBookmaker, time
Jarrive de Mee7/2Bet Victor, 1:18am
BowensonfireevnBet365, 1:18am
Passing Diamond10/1William Hill, 1:18am
Glen To Glen22/1BoyleSports, 1:18am
Ice Jet4/1William Hill, 1:18am

Questions about this race

Which horse has won both its previous starts at today's trip?

Jarrive de Mee

How many times has Bowensonfire won at this distance?

Four times from nine starts

What is Passing Diamond's recent winning record?

Six wins from the last seven starts

Which runner is the only confirmed front-runner in the field?

Passing Diamond

Which horse is dropping back from 2m6f?

Jarrive de Mee

18+. Analysis and entertainment only — no guarantee of profit. KTB race previews are published for interest and are not betting advice. Only ever stake what you can comfortably afford to lose, and set your own limits. Free, confidential help: the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (GamCare.org.uk); in Ireland, the GamblingCare.ie helpline on 1800 936 725. Self-exclude at any time via GAMSTOP.

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