GOLDEN RULE

Home team’s chasers will struggle to hold off Jacob’s cracker

HEREDITARY RULE can lay down the law today in the SSS Super Alloys Novices’ Handicap Chase (2.20, ITV4) as Cheltenham’s November meeting gets underway.

Co Meath-based John McConnell was the trainer to follow at the home of jump racing’s Showcase fixture last month with three winners.

And the former vet returns to the Cotswolds with a goingplaces performer in the shape of seven-year-old Hereditary Rule.

The son of Imperial Monarch has won three of his six attempts over fences, including when giving a bold-jumping display from the front to see off three rivals at Cartmel in August.

Last time out, Hereditary Rule underlined his wellbeing with a first victory over hurdles at the 13th attempt, at Downpatrick.

Daryl Jacob’s (left) mount has plenty more to offer as a chaser and Hereditary Rule is expected to find the progress required to defy a BHA rating of 137 to rack up the hat-trick.