November 12 / 15.30 Cheltenham

15.30

Good To Soft

Paddy Power Feel Like A Favourite Intermediate Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £13288.24
  • 2m 5f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 14 runners
ITV
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Paddy Power Feel Like A Favourite Intermediate Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 0000-1

Last run: 172 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Flat bred; none of his five hurdle races were beyond 2m1f, impressive in the end off a lowly mark at Punchestown in May; that followed two Flat wins and he's raised his game in that discipline over 1m6f/2m this season; recent Flat run came after three months off and no surprise if he still has plenty more to give; very interesting upped in trip back into handicap hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

28

27th Apr 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 7f 130y

18:00 Punchestown

Unanswered

10st 0lb

J: Nathan Andrews

T: A J Martin

Third reserve; three-time Flat winner won over 2m5f at Cheltenham in November but disappointed at Leopardstown next time; solid on last two starts but needs more up in trip; due to run in the 3.40 here Wednesday.

8th

11

26th Apr 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 180y

15:40 Punchestown

Unanswered

11st 7lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: A J Martin

prominent on inner

6/1

3rd

18

10th Apr 2023

Yielding

2m 5f 155y

16:15 Fairyhouse

Unanswered

10st 3lb

J: Peter Carberry

T: A J Martin

prominent, mistake 4th, pushed along when outpaced before 2 out, ridden when ran on after last, went third final strides

13/2

OUR TIP

7/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 1/31-

Last run: 337 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Short-headed a notable rival in Hillcrest when both horses made their debut in a bumper at Doncaster in January 2021; odds-on over hurdles at Fontwell (2m1f) that November and Doncaster (3m) in December, latterly finishing well on top in a four-runner maiden but only after some jumping problems; injury kept him off afterwards; unexposed handicap debutant who seems to be well regarded at top yard and it will be interesting to see his market strength.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Wiseguy

10st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Rallied to win at Newbury (extended 2m6f, good to soft; 4lb higher today) in November after slow jump at the final fence; nothing of that ilk before or since and while he did plug on for seventh in the 3m2f Kim Muir at Cheltenham last time, this much longer trip does not significantly boost his prospects.

25/1

14

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Wiseguy

10st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Rallied to win at Newbury (extended 2m6f, good to soft; 4lb higher today) in November after slow jump at the final fence; nothing of that ilk before or since and while he did plug on for seventh in the 3m2f Kim Muir at Cheltenham last time, this much longer trip does not significantly boost his prospects.

25/1

7th

17

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Wiseguy

11st 0lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: Nicky Henderson

Has an in-and-out profile and his jumping can be an issue; however, he did well to rally for a cosy win after a slow jump at the final fence on his reappearance at Newbury (extended 2m6f, good to soft) in November, and the manner in which he stayed on for a fair sixth at Ascot (3m, good) last month suggests today's extra yardage will be a positive; interesting.

25/1

16/1

  • Place: £4.00

Form: 2111-9 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Made very good progress last season and signed off with three 2m4f handicap wins; tends to race freely and has been making the running; readily seen off after three out in a useful handicap at Chepstow five weeks ago but may have needed that run; even so, he needs to resume improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 3

16:57 Wincanton

Bourbali

11st 7lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Joe Tizzard

Mixes chasing with hurdling and is largely consistent; didn't fire at Kempton last month but is now 3lb lower than when second to Celtic Art at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) two starts ago and won't be far away if quickly back on song.

8/1

5th

5

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

13:10 Kempton

Bourbali

10st 13lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Joe Tizzard

Mixes chasing with hurdling and holding his form well, making most of the running when 3l second of five at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) five weeks ago; firmly in the mix again.

12/1

2nd

3

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 2

15:15 Taunton

Bourbali

11st 1lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Joe Tizzard

Mixes chasing with hurdling and consistent in the main; solid enough efforts in this discipline the last twice and Rian Corcoran's claim will come in handy; fine on all ground.

8/1

Form: 4-331U BF

Last run: 6 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Consistent sort who prevailed in a tight finish at Warwick (2m3f, good) last month; ridden by Jack Martin on last three starts and they parted company early on last Sunday; stays 2m4f; probably a bit too exposed to hold all of these rivals at bay.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

13:48 Carlisle

Guernesey

10st 4lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Jackie Stephen

Has won just two of his 41 races over hurdles but nearly made it three when beaten a neck by Adveram (2lb worse off) at Hexham in December (2m7f, heavy); hasn't done as well since and was a long way behind Ballin Bay last time.

20/1

5th

6

19th Feb 2026

3m 3f 9y

Class 4

14:33 Sedgefield

Guernesey

10st 11lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Jackie Stephen

Consistent sort; hasn't won since October 2022, but has run creditably on last three starts and has an each-way chance.

9/1

Form: 3302-2

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Fair maiden on Flat; won hurdles debut last December and ran creditably for minor honours in four of his five starts since, the exception at the Festival here in March (his only start in a visor); has a recent run under his belt and this step back up in trip is worth a go but others are a bit more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

18th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 48y

Class 3

13:00 Exeter

Forever William

11st 4lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

didn't always jump with fluency, led, headed when not fluent 2nd, reminders when lost second after 7th, struggling from 9th, weakened before 4 out

11/8

3rd

1

18th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 48y

Class 3

13:00 Exeter

Forever William

11st 4lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

didn't always jump with fluency, led, headed when not fluent 2nd, reminders when lost second after 7th, struggling from 9th, weakened before 4 out

11/8

Form: 32-F11 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Completed a hat-trick in handicaps last autumn and now bids to do the same this year, following his quickfire double in September when tongue tied at Newton Abbot (2m6f, good) and Warwick (2m5f, good); probably acts on good; this is a much hotter race but he needs respect as an improver.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

16:02 Warwick

Getalead

11st 13lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Kevin Pickard

Has very good 8-32 hurdling strike-rate that includes win in 2024 edition of this race (good ground); not seen since July but has won when fresh before and returns on a workable mark; had another wind op last month (his fourth); shortlisted.

8/1

1

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

16:02 Warwick

Getalead

11st 13lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Kevin Pickard

Has very good 8-32 hurdling strike-rate that includes win in 2024 edition of this race (good ground); not seen since July but has won when fresh before and returns on a workable mark; had another wind op last month (his fourth); shortlisted.

8/1

1

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

16:02 Warwick

Getalead

11st 13lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Kevin Pickard

Has very good 8-32 hurdling strike-rate that includes win in 2024 edition of this race (good ground); not seen since July but has won when fresh before and returns on a workable mark; had another wind op last month (his fourth); shortlisted.

8/1

Form: 2/1-

Last run: 406 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Raced freely and made most in his two novice hurdles last year, showing pretty useful form when second at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) in March and winning by a street at Fontwell (2m3f, soft) in October; back from a 406-day absence and lacks experience but that win came without being asked any serious questions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

8th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 1

13:50 Huntingdon

Nickle Back

11st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

Often goes off in a clear lead and he wasn't for catching a few times as a novice chaser last season, the highlight his success in Grade 1 at Sandown (2m4f, good); could steal this race but the removal of his usual hood presents a question mark.

9/1

4th

4

8th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 1

13:50 Huntingdon

Nickle Back

11st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

Often goes off in a clear lead and he wasn't for catching a few times as a novice chaser last season, the highlight his success in Grade 1 at Sandown (2m4f, good); could steal this race but the removal of his usual hood presents a question mark.

9/1

1

27th Apr 2024

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 2

16:45 Sandown

Nickle Back

12st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

took keen hold, led, clear 2nd, not fluent 4th, reduced lead after 6th, mistake 12th, headed just before 3 out, soon weakened quickly and pulled up

11/4

Form: /2-161

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Easy winner of a maiden at Bellewstown in July and challenged two out to make a winning handicap debut under Liam McKenna in 15-runner race at Listowel in September, both 2m4f on good; that's from just five races overall and she has more to give.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

22nd Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

17:05 Navan

Elle Perfecta

12st 3lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: C A Murphy

midfield, outpaced and dropped to rear 6th, lost touch 8th

14/1

7

9th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 55y

14:20 Punchestown

Elle Perfecta

10st 13lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: C A Murphy

held up in rear

14/1

Form: 112-40

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Easily won two handicaps (3m and 2m4f) in the mud in March; good fourth at Listowel (3m, good) on reappearance but failed to fire at Galway two weeks ago; needs to resume improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

15th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

20:00 Tipperary

Wild Hunt

11st 9lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Stays 3m well and back on a very good mark these days; signs of a revival at Wexford last time and is ground-versatile.

11/1

4th

7

15th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

20:00 Tipperary

Wild Hunt

11st 9lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Stays 3m well and back on a very good mark these days; signs of a revival at Wexford last time and is ground-versatile.

11/1

5th

8

25th Apr 2024

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 0y

17:15 Wexford

Wild Hunt

10st 9lb

J: Daniel King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Won over this trip at Clonmel two seasons ago and backed that up with a 2m4f Down Royal; regressive over the past two seasons; jumped badly and pulled up at Leopardstown last time; rated 116 at his peak, down to 97, needs to show signs of revival.

14/1

Form: 0-116F

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Won from the front in a 2m3f maiden at Downpatrick in June and 2m4f novice at Limerick in July; improvement ended next time and she clipped heels (fell) early on handicap debut seven weeks ago when last seen; unraced this term on softer than good to yielding; likely to face plenty of competition for the lead but, relatively early days, she has more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

27th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 166y

Class 3

15:20 Cheltenham

Downtown Queen

10st 6lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: Henry De Bromhead

Made rather shaky start to chasing career this season but jumped well before winning Wexford handicap (2m3f, yielding) quite comfortably last month; not discredited on heavy ground at Roscommon since but will need to improve again to land this prize.

10/1

3rd

2

25th Sep 2023

Soft

2m 5f 63y

17:05 Roscommon

Downtown Queen

11st 11lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: Henry De Bromhead

raced wide, soon pressed leader, briefly led after 5th, disputed lead after 8th, not fluent 4 out, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, no extra after 2 out

3/1

1st

1

1st Sep 2023

Good

2m 3f 140y

18:55 Wexford

Downtown Queen

12st 0lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: Henry De Bromhead

jumped well, prominent, led before 3rd, faced challenge but going best before 2 out, not fluent last, ridden briefly and ran on run-in, comfortably

11/4

Form: 2523-1

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Beaten on all 13 starts in Ireland but, following his £26,000 sale, a maiden at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago saw him off the mark in a good scrap at the first time of asking in Britain; the handicapper has responded but this 6yo could have more to offer for his new stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:20 Sandown

Mahons Glory

11st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dylan Cunha

Broadly consistent in handicaps for current yard and ran respectably in the Topham at Aintree (2m5f) most recently; made all, despite jumping left, at Huntingdon (2m4f; also on good to soft) the time before; this is a harder task.

16/1

6th

19

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Mahons Glory

10st 7lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dylan Cunha

10yo who has a career-high mark following easy win in a small field at Huntingdon (2m4f, good to soft); however, he enjoyed himself in front in the Grand Sefton (2m5f, good to soft; fourth) and the Becher (3m2f, soft; fifth) over these fences earlier in the season and can make another bold bid.

16/1

1st

2

1st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 3

14:45 Huntingdon

Mahons Glory

11st 13lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dylan Cunha

Consistent form for current yard includes a couple of creditable efforts over the National fences at Aintree; beaten favourite in veterans' event at Market Rasen (2m5f) most recently but fared best of the rest behind the easy winner; solid claims.

11/4

Form: 1F12U-

Last run: 210 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Nocte Volatus

10st 11lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Justified favouritism in the 2025 Stayers' Veterans' Chase Final at Sandown (good) most recently, taking record over 3m to 2-3; in top form aged 11 and still unexposed at this distance.

13/2

Form: 92/F21 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

2nd Sep 2023

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

15:07 Newton Abbot

Time Flies By

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

led, not fluent 12th, headed 2 out, soon outpaced, slow jump last, lost second post

10/11

1st

3

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:40 Ffos Las

Time Flies By

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Made very bright start to career in bumpers in autumn 2019 but lightly raced since and hasn't fulfilled his potential over hurdles; justified short odds in run-of-the-mill Fontwell maiden (2m3f, good) in October but has a lot more on his plate on this return to handicap company.

3/1

10

12th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:30 Cheltenham

Time Flies By

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

6/1

Form: 3P3242

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

12th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:30 Cheltenham

Alvaro

10st 13lb

J: J J Slevin

T: E McNamara

25/1

10

11th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

13:10 Cheltenham

Alvaro

11st 9lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: E McNamara

Seemingly unsuited by worse than good to soft; Tramore maiden winner over 2m in April; improved when taking minor honours in his three handicaps in July-September (up to 2m6f) and not discredited when runner-up to a warm favourite back in a novice on latest outing; considered.

10/1

2nd

3

2nd Oct 2022

Good

2m 6f 180y

14:10 Killarney

Alvaro

11st 3lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: E McNamara

didn't jump with fluency, held up in last, shaken up and some headway before 3 out, kept on and went second before 2 out, no extra when hit last

4/1

Non-runners

Mahons Glory, Nocte Volatus, Time Flies By, Alvaro

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £8.60
Straight Forecast £7.77
Tricast £60.66
Trifecta £117.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Unanswered

The Times:

Elle Perfecta

RP Ratings:

Nickle Back

LAMBOURN:

Wiseguy

POSTDATA:

Forever William

WEST COUNTRY:

Guernesey

Telegraph:

Elle Perfecta

Daily Mail:

Elle Perfecta

Daily Record:

Elle Perfecta

TOPSPEED:

Nickle Back

The Guardian:

Nickle Back

D Express:

Unanswered

Daily Mirror:

Unanswered

The Sun:

Unanswered

The Star:

Unanswered