November 16 / 15.30 Cheltenham

15.30

Good

Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £11882.25
  • 2m 5f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
ITV
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Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 8023- BF

Last run: 237 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Dual French Flat winner in 2023; had four hurdle races for new yard last term, hampered late on when close third in handicap at Ascot (extended 1m7f, good); 2lb higher today and has had just one Flat run since, in a never-nearer second when the stable had a one-two in the 2m2f Chester Plate in May; that points to a strength in stamina that's not been sufficiently tested yet over hurdles and he looks set to take a big step forward for Irish trainer who had a well-backed winner of this race in 2022.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

30th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 80y

16:26 Listowel

Hamsiyann

11st 12lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: A J Martin

Dual Flat winner's sole success over hurdles came at the Cheltenham November meeting in 2024 when successful off 7lb lower (2m5f, good); beaten 31l in a quality Aintree handicap in April (2m1f, good to soft) when last seen over obstacles; run on the Flat at Chester wasn't too encouraging either.

16/1

16th

1

(13)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

16:10 Chester

Hamsiyann

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: A J Martin

Met with heavy defeats in his two Flat races last term and hasn't lived up to expectations as a hurdler; 2024 was much more promising, including with his second in this race off 1lb lower than today, and it may be good a pointer to see how his two stablemates get on in the Chester Cup.

6/1

20th

15

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Hamsiyann

11st 2lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: A J Martin

Justified strong market support in 2m5f Cheltenham handicap (good) in November 2024; belatedly back to that sort of form when second of six at Newcastle (extended 2m4f, good to soft) in November but let down by his jumping when only a respectable fourth at Kempton (2m5f, good) over Christmas; drops back in trip for his first run since.

16/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 4-1222 BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Won at Ffos Las in May in his second handicap and has continued his progress with seconds at Worcester, Warwick and Aintree, all four of those races on good ground over 2m4f or 2m5f; in the mix.
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

Form: 1348-1 D

Last run: 57 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won on the Flat in August following wind surgery and followed up in tidy style over hurdles at Newton Abbot (2m6f, good; 7lb higher today) in September; another solid Flat run last time; fourth in this race last year when his jumping did not help, and he's still not the most fluent.
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: 1P13-1 C

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
3-5 in novice hurdles last season and she reappeared with a front-running win here (2m4f, good) three weeks ago on handicap debut under 5lb claimer; has a 6lb higher mark today but could easily be capable of better still.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:00 Newbury

Wyenot

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Five-time hurdle winner with a good strike-rate, one she enhanced when prevailing in a classy small-field beginners' chase at Ludlow (3m, good); remote last of three in a Listed chase for mares at Warwick where soft ground was no good to her (fine on good to soft); has since had wind surgery and retains potential as a chaser.

3/1

Form: 189 BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Won an Irish maiden point in February, followed by a maiden hurdle at Sligo (2m2f, good) in June; backward steps in his two starts since, the first over 2m5f and the latest on his handicap debut when joint-favourite at Galway (2m, soft) three weeks ago; has a useful pedigree and it's too early for him to be dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

21st Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 7f 150y

16:17 Navan

Koori Star

11st 0lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Peter Fahey

Point-to-point winner; no further success since Sligo maiden hurdle win in June 2024; second behind Gringo d'Aubrelle in a Listed hurdle here in December; ran over inadequate trips in two January chase runs; 6-1 for Punchestown Grand National Trial (3m4f, heavy) but could only manage eighth; interestingly, Jack Kennedy now rides.

8/1

8th

14

15th Feb 2026

3m 3f 60y

15:00 Punchestown

Koori Star

10st 11lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Peter Fahey

Point winner; no further success since Sligo maiden hurdle win in June 20024; second in a 3m1f Listed handicap hurdle at Navan in December; last month's two runs in beginners' chases were over inadequate trips; a potential dark horse over this distance; cheekpieces for the first time.

7/1

5th

6

20th Jan 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 115y

14:50 Down Royal

Koori Star

11st 4lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Peter Fahey

Point-to-point winner's sole success over timber is a Sligo maiden hurdle; fine effort in Listed handicap hurdle at Navan, took a backward step on latest however in Fairyhouse beginners last week over inadequate trip; once again needs more of a stamina test than this.

14/1

Form: 1112-1 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Form figures of 1111121 from last December onwards; his last five races last season were over 2m7f-3m2f and it was heavy ground when he made his reappearance over 2m1f at Newton Abbot 17 days ago; it remains possible that this trip is shorter than ideal but there's no disputing that he is highly progressive and needs respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 3

17:05 Haydock

Major Fortune

11st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Prolific winner over hurdles; just as good over fences and holding his form well, beaten off only on run-in when second at Leicester (2m6f; stays 3m1f well) four weeks ago; handles any ground; leading contender.

9/2

2nd

2

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

14:30 Leicester

Major Fortune

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Prolific winner over hurdles; off the mark over fences at the seventh attempt at Wincanton (3m1f, soft) when fitted with first-time cheekpieces in January, and matched that level when runner-up at Newbury the following month; can make his presence felt again but he's never won off a mark this high.

2/1

2nd

5

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Major Fortune

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Prolific winner over hurdles; it was in a lower grade when getting off the mark over fences at Wincanton (3m1f, soft) but that was fairly comfortable and it was his first time in cheekpieces; off 5lb higher he can make his presence felt.

3/1

OUR TIP

Form: -40323

Last run: 22 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Ninth of 11 when 150-1 in the Grade 1 Supreme Novices' here in March; sole win was a maiden in February, but he's usually competitive and bumped into a highly progressive rival two starts back on his only appearance beyond 2m2f; this second attempt at about 2m5f therefore holds some interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

4th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 45y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Kings Hill

11st 10lb

J: Miss J Townend

T: Paul John Gilligan

Thurles maiden hurdle winner in 2024 (2m, soft to heavy); took on strong opposition in a pair of 3m beginners' chases; beaten 33l when fifth of nine finishers on handicap chase debut at Navan (3m, heavy); came good over 2m2f at Limerick; top amateur rider won this in 2022.

7/1

1st

1

12th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 185y

14:54 Limerick

Kings Hill

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Thurles maiden hurdle winner in 2024 (2m, soft to heavy); took on strong opposition in two attempts beginners' chases; beaten 33l when fifth of nine finishers on handicap chase debut last time at Navan (3m, heavy); big drop in distance now.

14/1

Form: 42119- BF

Last run: 218 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Won maiden at Doncaster (2m3f, good) in January on third hurdle start and followed up in the competitive EBF Novices' Final on handicap debut at Sandown (2m4f, soft) in March; flopped off this 7lb higher mark at Aintree in April but the Sandown win was a sizeable feather in his cap and he should still be open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

20th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Warwick

Champagne Twist

11st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

2024 EBF Final winner off 7lb higher; unseated too far out at Uttoxeter latest to say if and where he may have figured, but his poor winter up to that point tempers enthusiasm either way; overlooked.

10/1

4

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Champagne Twist

11st 11lb

J: Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

Very promising novice during 2023-24 season but generally very disappointing over last two campaigns; has dropped a long way in the weights but he was pulled up three times during the winter before a remote fifth at Newbury (3m, good to soft) last time; down the list.

12/1

Form: 211P0-

Last run: 203 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Ended last season with a whimper but he'd previously won two novice hurdles in the space of five days in February (one over 2m3f on good) and he was given wind surgery in the summer; it would not be the greatest shock were he to resume his progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

8th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 3

16:45 Sandown

Fire Flyer

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Eventually lost his form over hurdles last season, and following a revival over fences at Exeter (2m1f) in December, he was pulled up (bled) at Kempton on Boxing Day; something to prove.

7/1

Form: 1/22-4

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner for Henry Daly in February 2023 and similar form (twice runner-up) in his three races over hurdles; mistakes featured on heavy ground four weeks ago, following 305 days off, but he stays at least this far and should be open to progress on this move into handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 4

15:08 Ludlow

Mikimoto

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Pulled up over 2m5f/3m2f when moving into handicaps late last year; third in maiden over an extended 2m5f at Market Rasen last month was a step back in the right direction but others have more solid claims; tried cheekpieces then visor for last two starts.

14/1

5th

8

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 4

15:08 Ludlow

Mikimoto

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Pulled up over 2m5f/3m2f when moving into handicaps late last year; third in maiden over an extended 2m5f at Market Rasen last month was a step back in the right direction but others have more solid claims; tried cheekpieces then visor for last two starts.

14/1

3rd

6

16th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

14:22 Market Rasen

Mikimoto

11st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Bumper winner for Henry Daly in February 2023 (2m, good); runner-up in novice hurdles at Warwick (2m5f, good) and Catterick (2m3f, good to soft) later that year; subsequently off for 305 days and although his comeback was decent he's been pulled up in two handicaps since, the latest with cheekpieces tried (visored this time); has a bit to prove.

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.80
Straight Forecast £18.23
Tricast £82.91
Trifecta £103.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hamsiyann

Daily Mirror:

Wyenot

RP RATINGS:

Champagne Twist

POSTDATA:

Wonderful Eagle

Telegraph:

Major Fortune

The Guardian:

Long Draw

The Star:

Wyenot

Daily Record:

Wyenot

TOPSPEED:

Champagne Twist

The Times:

Hamsiyann

Daily Mail:

Hamsiyann

D Express:

Hamsiyann

WEST COUNTRY:

Wonderful Eagle

The Sun:

Major Fortune