December 13 / 15.35 Cheltenham

15.35

Good To Soft

Citipost Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 7f 213y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
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Citipost Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.40

Form: -12222

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Runner-up four times in a row since his breakthrough win in May, most recently on Old course here (2m5f, good) last month; continues to creep up the weights but is probably still improving and looks well worth a crack at 3m; might be the answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Long Draw

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Made very good progress last season, winning twice over 3m on New course here (good to soft/good); ended up with too much to do when finishing well for close third at Haydock (3m, good) in May and probably still has more improvement to come.

6/1

3rd

3

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:00 Haydock

Long Draw

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Made very good progress last season and had three of today's rivals behind when coming from off the pace for driven-out success at Cheltenham (3m, good) last month; 6lb higher today but could still have more to offer.

4/1

OUR TIP

6/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 346-22 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Largely consistent 8yo who has finished second on the Old course here on both starts this season (3m, good), latterly behind Doyen Quest four weeks ago; holds no secrets from the handicapper but ought to give another good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

21th

2

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Gowel Road

11st 10lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Can front-run; Cheltenham regular, where he won a 3m Grade 2 last January; sixth in this in 2024 and ran creditably here on three of his first five starts this season, before a big run under Toby McCain-Mitchell at Chepstow 19 days ago; back up 2lb to his career-high mark but probably not far away.

28/1

2nd

1

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

Gowel Road

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Cheltenham regular, where he won a 3m Grade 2 last January from Monmiral; ran creditably there on three of his latest four starts but he's only 2lb off his career-high mark; cheekpieces (worn on last three starts) are off; 5lb claimer is recruited.

6/1

4th

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Gowel Road

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Course regular who won this last year (soft); however, today's contest looks like it will take more winning, even before factoring in the 6lb penalty he carries this time around; looks vulnerable on this season's evidence.

12/1

Form: 348-13

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Returned from break with two wins (Flat/hurdle) towards end of summer and has performed well under both codes since; kept on for third (just behind Long Draw) here (2m5f, good) last month and enters calculations on first attempt at 3m; 1lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

28th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

17:05 Newbury

Wonderful Eagle

11st 4lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

took keen hold, towards rear

5/1

3rd

10

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Wonderful Eagle

10st 2lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

held up in midfield, headway and disputing second when mistake and lost ground last, rallied run-in, went fourth towards finish

12/1

3rd

10

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Wonderful Eagle

10st 2lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

held up in midfield, headway and disputing second when mistake and lost ground last, rallied run-in, went fourth towards finish

12/1

Form: 211-21 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Progressive 6yo who looked very well suited by step up to 3m when emphatic winner on Old course here (3m, good) last month and is now 4-8 over hurdles; latest 10lb rise asks a lot of him but he still comands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:20 Sandown

Doyen Quest

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Useful novice chaser whose form features second-place finishes in 3m Grade 2 events at Sandown and Windsor; came up rather short in Grade 1 at Aintree last time but looks one of the main contenders returned to this level.

15/8

4th

2

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Doyen Quest

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Tends to lead; scored at 1-50 on his chase debut at Warwick in May and impressed when winning by 10l at Exeter (3m, also good) in November; put in his place by Salver on last two starts (good to soft/soft) but comes here fresh having skipped Cheltenham and any drying of the ground would be in his favour; could get them all at it.

14/1

2nd

3

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 1

13:20 Windsor

Doyen Quest

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Has won on soft but seems ideally suited by faster ground; record of 2-5 since switched to chasing includes a Class 2 win at Exeter (3m) on penultimate start; not disgraced at Sandown latest but was beaten 12l by Salver; 5lb pull looks insufficient in the rematch.

11/2

Form: 335-22 BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Close second on both appearances this autumn; looked sure to win when moving clear on run-in at Lingfield (2m7f, good) last month but was pipped on the post; probably still on workable mark after 2lb nudge but this race is much more competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

13th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:00 Newton Abbot

High Game Royal

12st 0lb

J: Mr Nicholas Romain

T: Mrs R A Romain

Beaten between 17l and 33l in his last three hunter chases, getting outpaced at trips from 2m5f to 3m1f; tongue-tie is now added; probably playing for minor money.

16/1

3rd

2

1st May 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 4

17:40 Warwick

High Game Royal

12st 0lb

J: Mr Nicholas Romain

T: Mrs R A Romain

Outpaced on all four starts this year, latterly in hunter chases at Stratford (2m5f) and Exeter (3m), on which evidence the marathon on this card might have been a more comfortable fit; others are more persuasive.

20/1

3rd

8

7th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

17:10 Exeter

High Game Royal

11st 12lb

J: Mr Nicholas Romain

T: Mrs R A Romain

Won over hurdles in 2023 for the Hobbs/White operation; beaten in two points before finishing well held at Stratford recently.

20/1

7/1

Form: 306-61

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Battled on well to win off much reduced mark on seasonal debut at Bangor (2m3f, good to soft) last month but was probably a shade fortunate there and is seemingly not as good as he was; yet to convince stamina-wise over 3m; sports refitted cheekpieces; others have more persuasive profiles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

7th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

13:35 Newbury

Might I

12st 0lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Faye Bramley

Acts on heavy; useful for Harry Fry but became inconsistent and has never won a handicap; bought for £35,000 last May and had a remote finish at Worcester in July on his only start since; has career-low mark but plenty to prove, including stamina on this fourth attempt at about 3m.

25/1

1

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Worcester

Might I

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Faye Bramley

Smart for Harry Fry but became inconsistent; wasn't disgraced in Coral Cup at Cheltenham Festival (2m5f, good to soft) on latest outing in March and sights are lowered on stable debut having changed hands for £35,000.

8/1

Form: 68/256 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Seven-time hurdle winner (always on good ground); returned from long absence with three very unconvincing chase runs this season and is tricky to weigh up at present but he ought to be happier back in this sphere and has slipped to an attractive mark; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:40 Haydock

An Tailliur

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Missed last season and has not fired this term but he's now 14lb below his peak mark and all of his wins have been on good ground; he's been too well beaten for comfort this term, notwithstanding the softer ground, but needs a close look and market check.

7/1

2

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:40 Haydock

An Tailliur

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Missed last season and has not fired this term but he's now 14lb below his peak mark and all of his wins have been on good ground; he's been too well beaten for comfort this term, notwithstanding the softer ground, but needs a close look and market check.

7/1

Form: 11-13P CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won three consecutive times (once over C&D) in the spring and returned from break with very respectable third on Old course here (3m, good) in October; struggled to cope with soft ground in valuable Haydock handicap last month but has each-way claims at least if back on song today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:00 Haydock

Zain Nights

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Lucy Wadham

Just did enough to pip My Bobby Dazzler in this race last year (good ground; wore cheekpieces) and returned to form with front-running success in first-time visor at Newbury (3m, good to soft) in March; safely held, though, in Cheltenham race won by Long Draw in April and remains on career-high mark.

10/1

10th

5

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:00 Haydock

Zain Nights

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Lucy Wadham

Just did enough to pip My Bobby Dazzler in this race last year (good ground; wore cheekpieces) and returned to form with front-running success in first-time visor at Newbury (3m, good to soft) in March; safely held, though, in Cheltenham race won by Long Draw in April and remains on career-high mark.

10/1

5th

4

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Zain Nights

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Lucy Wadham

It was the middle leg of a hat-trick when beating Harbour Lake in this 12 months ago and the first-time visor triggered a return to form at Newbury last time (3m, good to soft; made all); has to be considered off 4lb higher.

5/1

Form: 141-21

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 6yo who won tactical, four-runner race at Ascot (2m3f, good) on last month's seasonal/chase debut but now quickly reverts to hurdling; goes beyond about 2m5f for first time here and could quite plausibly have untapped potential over the new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

14:35 Uttoxeter

Bhaloo

10st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Seemingly boosted by first-time cheekpieces when placed in Summer Plate at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) last year but looked out of sorts when pulled up twice in November and it's hard to predict whether this will be a going day.

14/1

8

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Bhaloo

11st 3lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Won the novice handicap chase on this card 12 months ago when also returning from a break; has pulled up in his two previous races over 3m but he wasn't stopping when tried in cheekpieces and finishing third in Market Rasen's 2m5f Summer Plate in July (just behind Courtland); there's stamina in his pedigree; considered.

8/1

Non-runners

Thanksforthehelp

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £36.40
Straight Forecast £38.88
Tricast £326.19
Trifecta £201.10

Selections

The Times:

Doyen Quest

LAMBOURN:

Bhaloo

TOPSPEED:

Might I

SPOTLIGHT:

Long Draw

RP RATINGS:

An Tailliur

POSTDATA:

Long Draw

Telegraph:

Doyen Quest

Daily Mail:

Doyen Quest

D Express:

Doyen Quest

The Sun:

Doyen Quest

Daily Mirror:

Bhaloo

The Star:

Bhaloo

WEST COUNTRY:

Might I

Daily Record:

Might I