April 17 / 13.30 Cheltenham

13.30

Good To Soft

Citipost Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10892
  • 2m 4f 56y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
Citipost Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.84
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 21-1 CD

Last run: 107 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a soft-ground bumper on rules debut in 2022 and returned from absence to make winning stable/hurdle debut over C&D (heavy) on New Year's Day; encounters faster ground today but that form has worked out well (runner-up won last month's EBF Final); leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

14:35 Uttoxeter

Peaky Boy

10st 12lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Early faller in February, after one-year layoff, and safely held in two major handicaps since (2m4f/2m5f); has more to prove than some of these but will be suited by the forecast good ground and is not written off just yet.

14/1

10th

21

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Peaky Boy

10st 5lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Showed abundant promise in late 2024 on his first two chase starts and is on a competitive mark on that form; remains lightly raced and he could improve for last month's run in the Plate at Cheltenham, when finishing mid-division, but others arrive with more compelling claims; a tongue-tie is added.

40/1

12th

11

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Peaky Boy

10st 13lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Sparingly raced but has a lot of ability, making a successful chase debut over C&D (good) in November 2024 then close up in a well-contested handicap here (about 3m1f, good to soft); however, he didn't jump well when tailed off for new yard at Ascot last February and took a heavy early fall at Newcastle last month on his only start since; now goes in cheekpieces; talented but risky.

16/1

OUR TIP

6/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 1-214

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Won by 13l on last season's bumper debut and built upon promising hurdling debut when scoring at Warwick (2m3f, soft) in January; didn't really fire when last of four in subsequent Huntingdon Listed race but remains a good prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:10 Exeter

Diamond Ri

12st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Promising novice hurdler but no sign of that form since returning from an absence; had wind surgery and a tongue-tie is added, but very risky.

20/1

1

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:02 Wincanton

Diamond Ri

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

His novice hurdle form reads well but he went absent for 590 days and has shown very little since returning, albeit in just two races; cheekpieces tried.

25/1

2nd

1

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

13:30 Cheltenham

Diamond Ri

11st 10lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Won by 13l on last season's bumper debut and built upon promising hurdling debut when scoring at Warwick (2m3f, soft) in January; didn't really fire when last of four in subsequent Huntingdon Listed race but remains a good prospect.

6/1

Form: 31184

Last run: 80 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual bumper winner on good ground last year and made very encouraging hurdle debut when fourth of 11 at Doncaster (2m3f, good) in January; can win races in this sphere soon but has been set a tough task today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

16th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

18:50 Uttoxeter

Minella Rescue

11st 9lb

J: James Davies

T: Gary Hanmer

Won this race off this mark in 2025 (good; 2-1 favourite) having run poorly on his previous start; was rather disappointing later on last season and has a bit to prove at present.

14/1

14th

7

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Minella Rescue

11st 3lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Gary Hanmer

Second in the C&D Grade 1 novice at this meeting last year; went on to finish first and second in handicaps over the extended 2m7f at Uttoxeter at the start of the summer but well below par both starts since a break, latterly at the Cheltenham Festival; combination of first-time cheekpieces and a return to this C&D needs to spark a revival.

40/1

20th

22

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Minella Rescue

10st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Gary Hanmer

Ran well over about 3m on most starts last March-June, including 50-1 second in substandard Grade 1 novice at Aintree; took an age to warm up in that race, however, which makes this trip look against him, and no impact on last three outings; latest (11 days ago) was after four months off.

66/1

Form: 261 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Bought for £250,000 after last year's impressive Irish point debut and came good over hurdles at third attempt, making all for clearcut success in Doncaster maiden (2m3f, soft) in February; needs to progress again but has considerable potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Leader In The Park

10st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Ben Pauling

Hasn't raced over 3m since winning his Irish point; probably a career best when second over 2m6f at Newbury on reappearance (good to soft) but couldn't live with Lookaway when both got competiitve a good way out over 2m4f here last month; regular partner Ben Jones prefers Henry's Friend but Harry Cobden's style could suit this 8yo.

12/1

6th

8

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:15 Ayr

Leader In The Park

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Made all at Kempton (2m4f, good) in December on second chase start and followed up at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft); only third of five at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) since but that was still a fair run and this unexposed 7yo remains of interest, especially with the Warwick form reading well.

6/1

6th

8

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:15 Ayr

Leader In The Park

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Made all at Kempton (2m4f, good) in December on second chase start and followed up at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft); only third of five at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) since but that was still a fair run and this unexposed 7yo remains of interest, especially with the Warwick form reading well.

6/1

Form: 51 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Managed only fifth when warm favourite for Huntingdon bumper in February but improved to win comfortably by over 7l there (2m4f, soft) on last month's hurdling debut; no surprise if he features here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

14:05 Taunton

Shy Love

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Lightly raced 6yo who showed promise in Irish point in 2023 and won over hurdles last season; interesting on handicap/chase debut, with Carlisle reappearance under his belt.

7/1

7th

3

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

14:05 Taunton

Shy Love

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Lightly raced 6yo who showed promise in Irish point in 2023 and won over hurdles last season; interesting on handicap/chase debut, with Carlisle reappearance under his belt.

7/1

4th

1

3rd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 218y

Class 3

13:18 Carlisle

Shy Love

11st 6lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

led, headed and raced in second after 2nd, lost second just before 3 out, not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, no extra and lost third run-in

4/1

Form: /32-13 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Battled well for narrow win at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) in February on third hurdle start; last month's Uttoxeter third (2m4f, heavy) was perfectly respectable but his form is below the standard required here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 3

15:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Leading Choice

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Nicky Martin

Very lightly raced 9yo who has won a bumper and a 2m4f maiden hurdle; he was in last throughout in a three-runner novice chase last week at Newbury when returning from 13 months off; as was the case then, these terms aren't favourable.

16/1

3rd

2

17th Feb 2026

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

14:15 Newbury

Leading Choice

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Nicky Martin

Bumper and 2m4f maiden hurdle winner; very lightly raced 9yo who seems to enjoy the mud but has a long absence to overcome on his chasing debut and he's the lowest rated of these by some margin.

25/1

9th

6

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 5f 50y

Class 4

13:20 Haydock

Leading Choice

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Nicky Martin

Bumper and 2m4f maiden winner, whose best form in light career was registered on heavy; never dangerous when well beaten on seasonal/handicap debut (2m4f, heavy) early last month, whereas he won last season when returning from a much longer break.

14/1

Form: 1

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-3 on the Flat in Slovakia last year but caused 25-1 surprise when winning by 14l on last month's stable/hurdle debut at Stratford (2m2f, heavy); very unexposed in this sphere but tackles much strong opposition today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

10th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Roger

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Richard Hobson

prominent

10/1

8

10th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Roger

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Richard Hobson

prominent

10/1

6th

4

6th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Kempton

Roger

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Richard Hobson

led, set good pace, jumped left 4th, soon headed, weakened gradually after 5th, tailed off

16/1

Non-runners

Encanto Bruno, Myretown

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.10
Straight Forecast £7.08
Trifecta £103.40

Selections

LAMBOURN:

Peaky Boy

SPOTLIGHT:

Encanto Bruno

TOPSPEED:

Roger

WEST COUNTRY:

Diamond Ri

RP RATINGS:

Encanto Bruno

POSTDATA:

Encanto Bruno

Daily Mail:

Encanto Bruno

The Sun:

Encanto Bruno

The Star:

Encanto Bruno

The Times:

Peaky Boy

Telegraph:

Peaky Boy

The Guardian:

Peaky Boy

D Express:

Peaky Boy

Daily Mirror:

Peaky Boy

Daily Record:

Peaky Boy