Cheltenham
Today, HurdleClass 12mSoft
Parading
Verdict
Verdict
An ultra-competitive renewal. The Nicky Henderson yard is starting to hit top gear and 2023 winner IBERICO LORD (still only a 7-y-o) is back on a very tempting mark. He gets the nod ahead of Knickerbockerglory, who is best when fresh and should make a bold bid under his optimum conditions, while Castle Carrock looks very interesting returning to softer ground on his handicap debut.
Iberico Lord
Knickerbockerglory
Castle Carrock
Win or Each Way
Win or Each Way
Each Way terms: 1/4 odds for first 4 places
10. AlexeiJ: Brendan PowellT: Joe TizzardF: 1148-21- Price History:
- 4.33
- Age:
- 5
- Weight:
- 11-4
- Gear:
- tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 134
- Days Since Last Run:
- 15
VerdictFairly useful 1m4f Flat winner who has confirmed the promise shown as a novice hurdler, chasing home Celtic Dino on reappearance prior to justifying strong support with a smooth-travelling success at Ascot last time. Open to further improvement but may prove best on better ground.
16. MirabadJ: Harry SkeltonT: Dan SkeltonF: 41/221310-- Price History:
- 4.75
- Age:
- 6
- Weight:
- 10-13
- Gear:
- tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 129
- Days Since Last Run:
- 281
VerdictProgressed again when an enterprisingly ridden winner of a 17f handicap on the other course last season but went off too hard on final start for Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole in February. Has had another breathing operation in the interim and looks interesting on first start for his new yard.
19. Serious ChallengeJ: Jonathan BurkeT: Fergal O'BrienF: 51114-4- Price History:
- 6.50
- Age:
- 5
- Weight:
- 10-11
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 127
- Days Since Last Run:
- 21
VerdictNear-smart on the Flat in Ireland and progressive over hurdles when rattling off a hat-trick of maiden/novice victories last season. Too keen to last out on first start in open company at Aintree (20f) on return and a 2m big field handicap may prove right up his street. One to consider.- 11. Castle CarrockJ: Tom CannonT: Alan KingF: 1136-
- Price History:
- 8.00
- Age:
- 6
- Weight:
- 11-3
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 133
- Days Since Last Run:
- 225
VerdictBolted up in a bumper at Ayr on debut and impressed when beating Diva Luna on hurdle/stable debut at Sandown (soft). Shaped well when third in a Grade 2 at Kelso but made little impression on better ground in the Grade 1 Mersey at Aintree. Capable of better back on softer ground for handicap bow. - 4. Iberico LordJ: Nico de BoinvilleT: Nicky HendersonF: 71P/1F40-0
- Price History:
- 8.50
- Age:
- 7
- Weight:
- 11-9
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 139
- Days Since Last Run:
- 201
VerdictLanded this race (in heavy ground) and the Betfair Hurdle in a stellar 2023/2024 season. Made a successful debut over fences last year but wasn't at his best following a fall at Ascot in December. Returns on a very tempting mark and makes plenty of appeal with yard beginning to hit top form. 
20. King William RufusJ: Harry CobdenT: Chris GordonF: 2216601-4- Price History:
- 17.00
- Age:
- 8
- Weight:
- 10-7
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 123
- Days Since Last Run:
- 23
VerdictProminent racer who was well ridden when gaining a second big field handicap win of last season when successful over this C&D in April (16.8f). Shaped as if as good as ever when fourth on reappearance here last month and should remain competitive if coping with the likely softer conditions.
2. Gibbs IslandJ: Stan SheppardT: Tom LaceyF: 11P8-1- Price History:
- 15.00
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 11-10
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 140
- Days Since Last Run:
- 36
VerdictFairly useful Flat winner showed plenty when winning the Victor Ludorum at Haydock last season (form worked out well) and got back on the up when a clear-cut winner on handicap debut on reappearance at Chepstow last time, seeing his race out well. Should remain competitive despite 8 lb rise.
15. HelnweinJ: Tom BellamyT: Alan KingF: 1/244372-2- Price History:
- 19.00
- Age:
- 7
- Weight:
- 10-13
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 129
- Days Since Last Run:
- 190
VerdictStrong-travelling sort held his form well without winning last season, finishing runner-up in the Swinton at Haydock on latest start in May. Well-suited to big field handicaps and no surprise to see him run well under a patient ride.
14. Dedicated HeroJ: Danny McMenaminT: Sandy ThomsonF: 31/13115-6- Price History:
- 21.00
- Age:
- 6
- Weight:
- 10-13
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 129
- Days Since Last Run:
- 14
VerdictProgressed over hurdles last season, winning a substandard renewal of the Grade 2 Rossington Main at Haydock. Wasn't disgraced tried over 3m subsequently and was given a considerate return to action over 2½m last month. Likely needs a career-best back in a top-end 2m handicap.
8. Fiercely ProudJ: Kielan WoodsT: Ben PaulingF: 327/F61PP-- Price History:
- 23.00
- Age:
- 6
- Weight:
- 11-6
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 136
- Days Since Last Run:
- 226
VerdictShaped better than the result when sixth in this race last year prior winning a valuable 2m handicap at Ascot. Clearly not the same horse when pulled-up on both subsequent starts, latterly in first-time cheekpieces (now removed). Not dismissed if back on song.
18. Rubber BallJ: Jack QuinlanT: Neil KingF: 533119-- Price History:
- 26.00
- Age:
- 5
- Weight:
- 10-12
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 128
- Days Since Last Run:
- 226
VerdictIrish point winner who progressed when landing a soft ground-double in a Newbury novice in February but found better ground and opposition against him in a Grade 1 at Aintree. Should be seen to better effect under these conditions on handicap debut.
12. PutapoundinthejarJ: Sean BowenT: A. J. Martin, IrelandF: 2/8616-108- Price History:
- 31.00
- Age:
- 5
- Weight:
- 11-3
- Gear:
- tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 133
- Days Since Last Run:
- 26
VerdictImproved to make a winning handicap debut under Sean Bowen at Punchestown in May but well held in valuable handicaps at Galway/Listowel since. Won't lack for fitness following a spin on the Flat last month and could be more competitive with the Champion Jockey back aboard.
6. LaafiJ: P. ByrnesT: William Durkan, IrelandF: 13-- Price History:
- 31.00
- Age:
- 5
- Weight:
- 11-8
- Gear:
- blinkers
- Official Rating:
- 138
- Days Since Last Run:
- 294
VerdictUseful winner over 10f on the Flat for William Haggas and made a successful hurdle/stable debut when getting the better of Kainsbourg in a Limerick novice. Shaped second best for a long way when third in a 3-runner Grade 3 at Naas next time and could have more to offer now tackling handicaps.
3. Cracking RhapsodyJ: Craig NicholT: Ewan WhillansF: 3/4010171-- Price History:
- 36.00
- Age:
- 6
- Weight:
- 11-9
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 139
- Days Since Last Run:
- 218
Verdict6-y-o boasts a smashing strike rate over hurdles. Disappointed in this race last year but went to score 3 times subsequently, chief amongst them the Morebattle at Kelso and Scottish Champion Hurdle on final start at Ayr (2m) in April. Each-way player if ready to roll.
17. Welsh ChargerJ: Ciaran GethingsT: Alastair RalphF: 119/1715-0- Price History:
- 51.00
- Age:
- 7
- Weight:
- 10-13
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 129
- Days Since Last Run:
- 190
VerdictProgressive last year, landing the Scottish County at Musselburgh (2m) and running at least as well when fifth in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr. Shaped better than the result in the Swinton last time (for all he did stop quickly) but soft ground would be a question mark on return.
9. FaivoirJ: Miss Heidi PalinT: Dan SkeltonF: 6P28526/8- Price History:
- 34.00
- Age:
- 10
- Weight:
- 11-4
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 134
- Days Since Last Run:
- 14
VerdictEnjoyed a fruitful 2023/24 season, winning County Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival in 2023 and running right up to best when caught on line in the Imperial Cup at Sandown. Never a factor returning from 19 months off at Carlisle 2 weeks ago and jockey bookings suggest he's one for another day.
7. No Ordinary JoeJ: Richie McLernonT: Faye BramleyF: 837/5740-9- Price History:
- 41.00
- Age:
- 9
- Weight:
- 11-7
- Gear:
- tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 137
- Days Since Last Run:
- 30
VerdictWinless since 2022 but useful on his day for Nicky Henderson (runner-up in the Martin Pipe in 2023) and he caught the eye under considerate handling for his new yard when ninth (25/1) at Uttoxeter (19.9f) last month. Drops back in distance with tongue strap refitted and one to note for support.
13. FiveonefiveJ: Keith DonoghueT: Cian Michael Collins, IrelandF: F7-891P65- Price History:
- 71.00
- Age:
- 7
- Weight:
- 11-3
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 133
- Days Since Last Run:
- 23
VerdictMade it a hat-trick of wins in a relatively valuable Cartmel handicap back in June and bounced back from a poor run at Perth when fifth in a C&D handicap last month. Capable of holding his own in a deeper race.- Unnamed Favourite
- Unnamed 2nd Favourite
Non-Runners
- 5. KnickerbockergloryJ: Freddie KeighleyT: Dan SkeltonF: 765P/1354-
- Price History:
- 8.50
- Age:
- 9
- Weight:
- 11-8
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 138
- Days Since Last Run:
- 210
VerdictEnhanced fine record when fresh by making all in a heavy-ground Sandown handicap on return last December. Solid form off career-high mark subsequently, latest when a patiently ridden fourth in the Sussex Champion Hurdle. Eased 1 lb and merits plenty of respect with softening ground in his favour. 
1. Celtic DinoJ: Dylan JohnstonT: Sam ThomasF: 31/11433-1- Price History:
- 11.00
- Age:
- 6
- Weight:
- 12-0
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 144
- Days Since Last Run:
- 35
VerdictUseful novice last year and started this season with a bang when winning the Welsh Champion Hurdle (handicap) at Chepstow last month, scoring by 2¼ lengths from subsequent winner Alexei. Clearly didn't lack for fitness that day but no surprise to see this 6-y-o improve again.