January 25 / 16.10 Cheltenham

16.10

Good

Ais Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Classic Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £42712.5
  • 2m 4f 56y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
RTV
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Ais Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Classic Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.60
  • Place: £2.80

Form: 10-211 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Tailed off when 33-1 in the Champion Bumper here in March on final start for Ben Pauling; odds-on wins over 2m4f at Leicester (heavy) and Huntingdon (good to soft) on his last two starts over hurdles, asked much more of a question last time but asserting nicely on the run-in; good prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Sixmilebridge

11st 10lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Fergal O’Brien

Front-runner who has finished first past the post in all six attempts over 2m4f (disqualified on one occasion due to a banned substance); beat Kala Conto with plenty to spare in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown (soft), task simplified by the exit of the Mullins-trained Kitzbuhel.

5/2

1st

3

31st Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 1

14:40 Sandown

Sixmilebridge

11st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Fergal O’Brien

Acts on heavy ground; well beaten at the Cheltenham Festival in both Grade 1 attempts (bumper/hurdle) but faces a more realistic task in this field and remains unexposed over fences; easily beat two rivals at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) last time, taking chase record to 2-2 and looking better than ever; possibilities.

9/2

Form: 1-1111 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
5-5 under rules and a fine prospect; made the most of a good Grade 1 opportunity at Aintree (soft) on latest start, despite the drop back to 2m1f and not because of it; his three previous hurdle races were over 2m4f/2m5f, two at this track and doing it easily in a Grade 2 on penultimate outing, which sets the standard today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Potters Charm

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Acts on any ground; the freshest contender in this race, having bypassed the Cheltenham Festival and been absent since landing the National Spirit at Fontwell (2m3f) over six weeks ago when taking hurdles record to 7-11; sole attempt at Aintree resulted in a Grade 1 novice success on Boxing Day 2024; likely to go well.

14/1

1st

1

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 1

14:50 Fontwell

Potters Charm

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Smart novice (Grade 1 winner on soft) at up to 2m5f last season; early faller on reappearance in November before 8l third in Grade 2 Ascot Hurdle (2m3f, good to soft); outstayed when fourth in Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft) the following month but got back on the scoresheet when taking a classy Windsor conditions hurdle (2m4f, soft; career-best form) last month; key player despite a half penalty for the Grade 1 win.

8/13

Form: 10-113 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Won well at Carlisle and Sandown (Grade 2 on soft; by 5l from Quebecois) in first two starts over hurdles, followed by creditable third to a top prospect in Newbury Grade 1, all over about 2m4f; needs to resume progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:13 Warwick

Bill Joyce

12st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Bled from the nose when pulled up on chase debut in December; smart novice hurdler around 2m4f last season and no doubting his ability to be very competitive off this mark if he's back on song.

5/1

14th

9

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Bill Joyce

11st 4lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won well at Carlisle and Sandown (Grade 2 on soft) in first two starts over hurdles and then third in the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury and a Grade 2 at Cheltenham (both extended 2m4f); only 6-1 for his handicap debut over 3m at Aintree and departed too early to tell what might have happened; the first-time tongue-tie fitted there is retained; of interest.

10/1

14th

9

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Bill Joyce

11st 4lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won well at Carlisle and Sandown (Grade 2 on soft) in first two starts over hurdles and then third in the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury and a Grade 2 at Cheltenham (both extended 2m4f); only 6-1 for his handicap debut over 3m at Aintree and departed too early to tell what might have happened; the first-time tongue-tie fitted there is retained; of interest.

10/1

Form: 10-12 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Won a bumper at Exeter (soft) in December 2023 and maiden hurdle at Chepstow (2m4f, soft) in October; while second of six in Grade 2 novice event at Sandown (2m4f, soft) in December was much better form, he could not stay with Bill Joyce in the closing stages; has a 5lb swing for those 5l today, but there's also Potters Charm to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Quebecois

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

0-5 in this first chase campaign but pipped at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in January and a close third of 22 in the Ultima at the Festival there (3m1f, good to soft) on latest outing; raised 5lb for this first attempt at a marathon trip but he's relatively unexposed and kept on stoutly in that bold show last time.

11/1

3rd

16

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Quebecois

10st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Mixed form during this novice chase campaign but he went very close in handicap here (2m4f, soft) in January and 2m was against him back in novice company at Newbury latest; best performance over hurdles came when winning at 3m at Ayr (good to soft) last April; possible improver now back up in trip.

9/1

2nd

4

17th Feb 2026

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

14:15 Newbury

Quebecois

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Tongue-tie has been retained since he won a 3m handicap hurdle at last season's big April meeting at Ayr; runner-up in two of his three chases and jumped well when nosed out by the likeable Jordans Cross at Cheltenham last month (2m4f, soft); surprising to see him back at 2m but at least the ground will be testing, and he'd be giving weight to all his rivals in a handicap.

4/7

OUR TIP

Form: 131-21 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Won two heavy-ground bumpers last season, pipped on hurdling debut at Bangor (2m, soft) in October and a 16l winner at Carlisle (2m3f, soft) in December; promising but this is much more demanding company; also declared for the 2.05 Doncaster.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:45 Ayr

Gamesters Guy

11st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Good form when winning a two-runner novice chase at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December on his second run over fences; however, he hasn't kicked on since and needs to raise his game if he's to win this.

20/1

2nd

1

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:45 Haydock

Gamesters Guy

11st 10lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Not fully exposed over fences and has winning form in a match, downing a 1-3 shot at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December; has jumping frailties, however, which again came to the fore when an 18l second of two finishers over this sort of trip at Chepstow (soft) three weeks ago; tongue-tie added and maybe this race won't be a stern examination of his jumping technique.

10/11

2nd

2

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:40 Chepstow

Gamesters Guy

11st 1lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won a match race at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December, his second chase, and certainly didn't run badly when last of five in Windsor handicap (3m, soft) last month, where a last-fence error magnified his margin of defeat; not sure to benefit from this drop back in trip but still enters calculations.

6/1

Form: 11 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden point last May, edged a bumper at Ascot (1m7f, good) in November and not at all hard pressed to take a maiden hurdle at Catterick (2m3f, good) four weeks ago; it's not easy to say just how good he is but greatly improved form is needed to seal the four-timer in this Grade 2.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:45 Ayr

Kdeux Saint Fray

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Won at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) last November on second chase start and finished third in quality handicap at Kempton (3m, good to soft) in February, despite jumping to the left at that right-handed track; massively inconvenienced by controversial start when down the field at the Cheltenham Festival; retains potential, especially going left-handed; high on the list.

6/1

12th

18

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Kdeux Saint Fray

10st 6lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Rather fortuitous winner on the Old course here (2m4f, soft) in November as stablemate Jordans Cross looked a massive threat when falling; finished 5l behind that rival in the rematch over C&D on Trials day, shaping as if ready for a crack at further; duly ran well, despite jumping left at times, in major 3m handicap at right-handed Kempton (good to soft) since; brings notable form but possibly isn't crying out for the drop back in trip; 1lb out of weights.

16/1

3rd

12

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Kdeux Saint Fray

10st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Anthony Honeyball does well in staying chasers and he won this two years ago; he has another likely contender in this first-season chaser who probably improved on his winning piece of form at Cheltenham when a staying-on fourth in a traditionally strong novice handicap there on Trials' Day; confined to about 2m4f over fences thus far but looks ready for 3m and big shout if his jumping stands the test.

9/2

11/1

Form: 1-121

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Point and bumper winner, who's now 2-3 at about 1m7f/2m over hurdles (latest win on soft); had to work hard for those two hurdle wins, despite being odds-on, and his Ascot second was probably his best form; however, pedigree and performance point to this sort of trip suiting him far better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Wade Out

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Olly Murphy

Switched to chasing with two wins in the autumn, the latter in a Cheltenham Listed race (3m1f, soft) despite not jumping that well; his fencing once again lacked fluency when sixth in the National Hunt Chase back at Cheltenham (3m6f, good) in first-time cheekpieces (blinkered now) last month; has a lower mark back hurdling, so no surprise were he to go well despite the fact Sean Bowen looks elsewhere.

22/1

6th

1

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Wade Out

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Switched to chasing with two wins in the autumn, the latter from One Big Bang in Listed race here (3m1f, soft) despite having been a detached last of the three remaining runners at the third-last fence; that was not a fluent round of jumping but, with a satisfactory Grade 2 run at Windsor in January under his belt, he could still have more to give, including with this stamina test and first-time headgear.

8/1

4th

2

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 1

13:20 Windsor

Wade Out

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Record of 7-10 overall and 2-2 since switched to chasing (solid form); stayed on well in Listed grade at Cheltenham (3m1f, soft) most recently, proving suited by the first attempt beyond 2m4f under rules; particularly unexposed at this sort of distance and warrants respect.

9/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £22.70
Straight Forecast £14.48
Trifecta £56.30

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Potters Charm

The Times:

Kdeux Saint Fray

D Express:

Wade Out

Daily Record:

Quebecois

TOPSPEED:

Bill Joyce

SPOTLIGHT:

Sixmilebridge

POSTDATA:

Potters Charm

WEST COUNTRY:

Potters Charm

Telegraph:

Potters Charm

The Guardian:

Potters Charm

Daily Mail:

Potters Charm

Daily Mirror:

Potters Charm

The Sun:

Potters Charm

The Star:

Potters Charm