November 18 / 14.55 Cheltenham

14.55

Good To Soft

Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 7f 208y
  • Class 2
  • 15 runners
ITV
View Course
Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 32-431

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Went handicapping in January; placed over 2m4f last term at the Cheltenham (hung left on run-in, then rallied) and Aintree festivals; took the step up to 2m6f in his stride when clearcut winner at Galway (soft) three weeks ago; usually ridden by Jack Gilligan; up the weights again and not totally sure to be suited by 3m but he's reliable and highly progressive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

40

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Buddy One

10st 2lb

T: Paul John Gilligan

Reserve; far better known as a smart hurdler, runner-up at this meeting in 2023 and 2024, with latter race the 3m Grade 1; below form over jumps over the last year, however, and he looks poorly handicapped (particularly from 4lb wrong) judged on his results over fences.

100/1

11th

5

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Buddy One

11st 8lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Third in the 2m4f Martin Pipe at this meeting in 2023; creditable fifth in last year's Grade 1 Stayers' here but he's not really sparked since, including over fences; 6lb lower now than his peak British mark; equipped with cheekpieces on latest outing (stiff task) and today.

40/1

6th

1

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 111y

14:35 Galway

Buddy One

12st 2lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Interfered with early when tailed off on the Flat last time; didn't run too badly in the Galway Plate the time before when mistakes didn't help, but this smart hurdler has yet to reach the same heights over fences; respected but others appeal more.

9/2

16/1

  • Place: £4.90

Form: 5P223- D

Last run: 231 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Best form and sole win (2021) is over fences but he ended last season with three places at about 3m as a hurdler (two novice events and a handicap); needs to improve on that form, including as he's 2lb out of the handicap, and his best efforts have been on good or good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

The Newest One

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

11yo who was runner-up at Warwick (3m, good to soft) on New Year's Eve but he's had a heavy defeat and a fall in two subsequent runs; new headgear is now tried but he's hard to predict and has not won since October 2024; down the list.

8/1

4

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

15:45 Uttoxeter

The Newest One

11st 13lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

11yo who was runner-up at Warwick (3m, good to soft) on New Year's Eve but he's hard to predict and was tailed off at Ludlow (visor added) last time; comes with risks attached and he needs to bounce back again.

12/1

6th

4

18th Feb 2026

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:35 Ludlow

The Newest One

11st 9lb

J: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

11yo who has an up-and-down profile but finished second at Warwick (3m, good to soft) on New Year's Eve; versatile ground-wise; major player if backing up that good performance with another; wears a first-time visor.

5/2

8/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 1P/UF- C

Last run: 327 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Dual Grade 1 winner as a novice chaser and also took the 3m1f Grade 2 Cotswold Chase here in January 2022; latter is the only completion in his last five starts and he took a heavy fall when last seen on Boxing Day 2022; acts on soft; not seen over hurdles since March 2020 but he's thrown in judged on at least five chase efforts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

14

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Chantry House

10st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Very smart in his heyday; returned to chasing at Cheltenham (extended 3m1f, soft) on New Year's Day and looked much more like his old self, asserting late on in a five-runner handicap; however, he singularly failed to back that up in a Grade 2 over that same C&D over three weeks later.

80/1

16th

14

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Chantry House

10st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Very smart in his heyday; returned to chasing at Cheltenham (extended 3m1f, soft) on New Year's Day and looked much more like his old self, asserting late on in a five-runner handicap; however, he singularly failed to back that up in a Grade 2 over that same C&D over three weeks later.

80/1

5th

3

25th Jan 2025

Good

3m 1f 56y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

Chantry House

11st 4lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

towards rear, in touch with leaders 7th, weakened before 2 out, lost fourth run-in

7/1

Form: 909-P2

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Left Gordon Elliott after some disappointing runs last winter; tongue tied for new yard this term when both pulled up in September and back-to-form second at Ayr (3m) two weeks ago; seemed in charge at the final flight in the latter, which may explain the resort to cheekpieces this time; peak efforts on good or good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Noble Birth

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Clare Ellam

3-24 over hurdles and 1-8 as a chaser; left Gavin Cromwell after finishing tailed off in a claiming hurdle in early March (tried blinkers); needs a revival and he's got a lot of weight.

33/1

5th

1

4th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 20y

15:52 Naas

Noble Birth

12st 0lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Three-time hurdles winner; last win in that sphere came in a C&D handicap in February 2024 (2m7f, soft); won a Fairyhouse novice chase in January last year (2m6f, soft); poor over fences this term but some okay efforts over timber; beaten 20l in fourth at Fairyhouse last time (3m, yielding); blinkers replace the cheekpieces and decent chance at this level.

9/2

Form: 10P-46 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Not the force of old in form terms but prevailing by a short head in a top 3m handicap chase at Leopardstown last Christmas was easily his biggest payday; ran creditably in a Grade 3 four weeks ago and has a chance even on that form, but this is his first run over hurdles since 2018.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

24th Nov 2024

Yielding

3m 0f 24y

13:15 Punchestown

Real Steel

10st 11lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: E McNamara

Has put it together on the big day over fences more than once, winning the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown two years ago, and last time in the blinkers when winning the Munster National at Limerick; relatively unexposed over hurdles and is 18lb lower; likely to go from the front here and could be thereabouts.

6/1

12th

10

24th Nov 2024

Yielding

3m 0f 24y

13:15 Punchestown

Real Steel

10st 11lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: E McNamara

Has put it together on the big day over fences more than once, winning the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown two years ago, and last time in the blinkers when winning the Munster National at Limerick; relatively unexposed over hurdles and is 18lb lower; likely to go from the front here and could be thereabouts.

6/1

1st

14

20th Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

15:50 Limerick

Real Steel

10st 8lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: E McNamara

jumped well, made all, kept on well from last, ridden out

16/1

Form: /152P/ C

Last run: 611 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Won here in December 2020 and third in that season's Pertemps Final, both over 3m on the New Course; ran over fences two seasons back and has not been seen since pulled up here in March 2022; dropped 5lb for this reappearance but perhaps best watched this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

1st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 3

13:55 Carlisle

Come On Teddy

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Harry Derham

in rear on outer, midfield 4th, headway on outer after 3 out, weakened run-in

5/1

4th

4

1st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 3

13:55 Carlisle

Come On Teddy

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Harry Derham

Following a long absence this 10yo wasn't the force of old last season, and there's a doubt about his stamina nowadays (albeit he was a 3m winner over hurdles in 2020); however, having dropped down the weights he was a close third at Exeter (2m3f) in March on his final outing for Tom George, and he's respected on his first run for the up-and-coming Harry Derham.

5/1

Form: /22222 D

Last run: 60 days

W: 10st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on all five starts since rejoining Fergal O'Brien this season, over fences on last two occasions; stays well and acts on soft, but this race promises to be a bit too competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

11th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:45 Ayr

Polish

11st 8lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Exposed 10yo who doesn't find it easy to win (last success over hurdles was in February 2021); has run creditably on last two starts (3m, soft); each-way chance.

16/1

10th

6

11th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:45 Ayr

Polish

11st 8lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Exposed 10yo who doesn't find it easy to win (last success over hurdles was in February 2021); has run creditably on last two starts (3m, soft); each-way chance.

16/1

4th

8

30th Dec 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 58y

Class 4

12:30 Haydock

Polish

11st 2lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

in touch with leaders

16/1

Form: 113312 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
In a solid spell from May onwards, including three good-ground wins but also placed on soft and heavy; wore cheekpieces on last two starts, showing career-best form on latest when strong-finishing second of 20 over C&D; up another 3lb but will probably get in the shake-up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

13th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

19:25 Worcester

Judicial Law

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Scored off today's mark in first-time cheekpieces at Kelso (3m2f, good) in September and also has a C&D success on his CV but has not been firing on all cylinders this year (with and without headgear).

7/1

4th

4

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 83y

Class 3

19:00 Stratford

Judicial Law

11st 12lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Was entitled to run better than he did back on good ground at Haydock three weeks ago (3m) but that was a strong race; last season's peaks (at 3m2f/3m) bring him right into it off this mark.

10/1

10th

7

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:35 Haydock

Judicial Law

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Well beaten over C&D (soft) last time; he can be effective on soft/heavy going but better ground may be preferable and he's very much of interest on his fine efforts last autumn, when winning at Kelso (3m2f, good) and finishing second of 20 at Cheltenham (3m, good to soft); on the shortlist.

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 10-171 D

Last run: 80 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Had a fruitful summer with two wins on the Flat (2m/2m1f) and two over hurdles (3m/2m4f); all those were on good or good to yielding, whereas he was well beaten in his three Irish runs on soft or heavy, so that's the worry.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Dartan

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sarah Humphrey

Useful hurdler in Ireland; beaten in a match over fences on stable debut (first-time visor); this return to hurdles is welcomed but he appears to have developed some of his own ideas; had wind surgery.

25/1

2nd

1

17th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 3

13:47 Uttoxeter

Dartan

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sarah Humphrey

Very useful handicap hurdler in Ireland when on song but not at same level on his three chasing attempts, and looked very unenthusiastic when third in four-runner beginners' event at Kilbeggan (3m1f, good) in July; swaps blinkers for first-time visor on this stable debut; will probably need to travel with much greater zest.

13/8

3rd

2

11th Jul 2025

Good

3m 1f 80y

20:00 Kilbeggan

Dartan

11st 12lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Rated 139 over hurdles, two of three wins having been at Bellewstown; ran well on chase debut when second in Galway beginners' last summer but didn't count at Tipperary more recently; not easy to assess back chasing.

10/1

Form: 12P153

Last run: 68 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won twice over hurdles at Stratford (2m6f and 3m2f) this summer but he's an inconsistent sort, with more to prove on worse than good to soft; he's also 8lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

16:10 Taunton

Hunting Percival

11st 9lb

J: Mr Harvey Barfoot-Saunt

T: Tracey Barfoot-Saunt

A fair 2m6f/3m2f hurdles scorer for Syd Hosie in 2023; off 22 months and offered little for his new yard when beating only one in 3m Chepstow handicap 24 days ago; others are much preferred.

100/1

9th

3

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:55 Chepstow

Hunting Percival

12st 0lb

J: Mr Harvey Barfoot-Saunt

T: Tracey Barfoot-Saunt

Four-time hurdle winner (2m-3m2f, good/good to soft) but not since 2023; absent since well-held sixth at Plumpton (3m1f, good) for Syd Hosie in April 2024 and can only be watched on this stable debut.

50/1

6th

10

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 3

15:15 Plumpton

Hunting Percival

10st 12lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Syd Hosie

prominent

33/1

Form: 1/170- D

Last run: 217 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Prolific over fences from August 2021 until June 2022; had a run over hurdles this March (first for two years, well beaten) before remote 15th in the Grand National, in touch for a long way; unraced on soft (has won on it) or heavy since May 2021, having been withdrawn from an Aintree chase last week; well treated on best chase efforts but still has plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 198y

Class 5

17:10 Carlisle

Minella Trump

11st 12lb

J: Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Donald McCain

prominent, pressed leader before 14th, led before 4 out, faced challenge when led narrowly before 2 out, kept on well

7/4

4th

7

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 4

13:12 Bangor-on-Dee

Minella Trump

11st 12lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Donald McCain

Has won half of his 16 races over fences and should welcome this drop in grade after struggling last season in strong handicaps (his second was remote); has been absent for 12 months so some market confidence would be welcomed.

4/1

Form: 3FP-53

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Surged back to form when close third of ten in handicap at Exeter (2m7f, good) on latest start; one of his two good runs last season was at Cheltenham (soft) and he could still have more to offer with a serious stamina test; not entirely dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 3

15:15 Plumpton

Moka De Vassy

11st 12lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

prominent

12/1

9th

3

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 3

15:15 Plumpton

Moka De Vassy

11st 12lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

prominent

12/1

5

21st Feb 2024

Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

14:35 Doncaster

Moka De Vassy

11st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

in touch with leaders, jumped left 1st

7/1

Form: F62/P- D BF

Last run: 327 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
In the process of registering a big career best when he fell in Grade 2 chase at Wetherby (3m, good to soft) in October 2021; has run only three times since and pulled up when favourite back at Wetherby last Christmas on latest start; has big-race entries over fences next month but there are questions to answer on this first hurdles run since March 2020.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

1st Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Shan Blue

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

in rear, hit 1st

10/1

Form: P-8924 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
7-53 overall and he's proved himself thoroughly at about 3m on testing ground; creditable second at Gowran Park (3m, heavy) in September, before his form dipped in a conditions event on latest start; needs to find extra to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Walking On Glass

11st 7lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Padraig Roche

Dual-purpose sort; 4-38 over jumps, 4-30 on Flat; 66-1 when in rear throughout in the race won by Desertmore House here in November.

66/1

4

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 22y

16:36 Punchestown

Walking On Glass

11st 12lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Padraig Roche

Dual-purpose; 3-27 over hurdles but without a win in this sphere since October 2022; beaten 7.5l over C&D off this mark in June; four modest efforts on the Flat since; others preferred.

14/1

Form: 142124

Last run: 71 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
8-18 over hurdles/fences in France, where last seen in September running well in defeat; unraced over this far but 3-5 over 2m6f in the mud as a chaser and he's been running as if this extra distance may well suit him; also looks on a good mark, so he is very much one to note on British debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Placenet

10st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: D Cottin

Multiple hurdle/chase winner in France/Belgium (various ground); did pretty well to finish fourth in C&D (good) race won by Final Orders last month, having made a bad error three out, and has good claims off the same mark.

8/1

1

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

16:00 Wetherby

Placenet

12st 2lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

Multiple French winner over 2m1f-2m6f on soft-heavy ground; pulled up/well beaten on his two British starts but he was still in touch turning for home at Sandown (3m, soft) a fortnight ago and could benefit from this drop back down in trip; not ruled out in first-time cheekpieces.

9/2

7th

1

15th Feb 2024

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

16:15 Sandown

Placenet

12st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

8-18 over hurdles/fences in France; 3-5 over 2m6f in the mud as a chaser there and looked very interesting for British debut in 3m handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (3m, soft) three weeks ago but he was hugely disappointing; has had wind surgery since and now tries British fences; it will be interesting to see if his backers return.

9/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £43.80
Straight Forecast £39.32
Tricast £284.81
Trifecta £366.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Placenet

TOPSPEED:

Judicial Law

Telegraph:

Buddy One

POSTDATA:

Chantry House

Daily Mail:

Real Steel

The Star:

Noble Birth

Daily Mirror:

Buddy One

The Sun:

Judicial Law

Daily Record:

Judicial Law

RP RATINGS:

Placenet

WEST COUNTRY:

Placenet

The Times:

Placenet

The Guardian:

Placenet

LAMBOURN:

Chantry House

D Express:

Real Steel