December 09 / 15.35 Cheltenham

15.35

Good

Citipost Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £11446.6
  • 2m 7f 213y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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Citipost Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 85-232 BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Dual 1m7f winner; consistent over 2m4f/2m5f this term, most recently clear second at Kempton (good to soft) on first run since wind surgery; gives the impression he's worth a crack at this new trip and may also benefit from headgear (first-time cheekpieces on today); those two factors could well prompt a return to winning ways.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Captain Morgs

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Useful over hurdles and fences on his day; out of sorts since chase success last May but this is a drop back in class and mark is workable on best form.

7/1

5th

3

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Captain Morgs

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Useful over hurdles and fences on his day; out of sorts since chase success last May but this is a drop back in class and mark is workable on best form.

7/1

21

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Captain Morgs

10st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nicky Henderson

Good ground suits but he's not the easiest to predict at the best of times and has run badly in all three races since his chase win at Aintree (3m1f, good) last May; had a second wind operation before penultimate start and was back hurdling for latest; well treated on best form but the chances of his reproducing it seem to be receding.

66/1

16/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 413/09

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Useful on Flat in his younger years; never-dangerous ninth when a 66-1 shot here (2m5f Class 3) four weeks ago; possibly worth this return to 3m but faces a tougher assignment upped in grade; also declared 2:05 Bangor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

22nd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

15:25 Chepstow

Brazos

11st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Alexandra Dunn

midfield, outpaced after 7th, soon dropped to rear, lost touch before 3 out

50/1

4

22nd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

15:25 Chepstow

Brazos

11st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Alexandra Dunn

midfield, outpaced after 7th, soon dropped to rear, lost touch before 3 out

50/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 33V-P1 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Proved game in similar event here (3m, good) at the November Meeting four weeks ago, taking Cheltenham record to 2-2 (the other win came over fences); still well handicapped despite going back up 4lb (chase winner off 1lb higher); very solid and commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Annual Invictus

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Returned from long absence with two below-par runs over 3m2f at Newbury towards end of last year, albeit first was in major handicap; well handicapped on old form and should be fine stamina-wise on cross-country debut but would appeal more on good ground and others have much less to prove

25/1

2nd

9

27th Apr 2024

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:35 Sandown

Annual Invictus

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Won Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster (3m, good) in January and that form has been franked by the runner-up; soft ground against him next time; fair sixth in this race last year (good to soft) and he may be able to improve upon that finishing position if good going prevails this afternoon.

20/1

2nd

9

27th Apr 2024

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:35 Sandown

Annual Invictus

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Won Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster (3m, good) in January and that form has been franked by the runner-up; soft ground against him next time; fair sixth in this race last year (good to soft) and he may be able to improve upon that finishing position if good going prevails this afternoon.

20/1

Form: 8/243- C

Last run: 333 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles at the November Meeting here in 2019; however, less appealing based on his point/chase form since autumn 2020; bit to prove back in this sphere, following an 11-month absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

14:45 Wincanton

Jatiluwih

12st 1lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

No longer the force of old but returned from 342-day absence with a pretty good third at Taunton (3m, good to soft) last month behind two next-time-out winners and competes off the same mark here; respected.

6/1

3rd

2

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 4

15:26 Taunton

Jatiluwih

12st 1lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

No win under rules since 2019 (he took a point in 2020) but he's well down the weights and competitive often enough, including at Newbury last March on latest start, to be considered each-way even though he may have a bit more to prove at his age first time out.

6/1

3rd

2

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 4

16:37 Newbury

Jatiluwih

12st 0lb

J: Mr David Maxwell

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Still in touch when unseating four out at Ascot last time (2m7f, good; 50-1) but it was still a long way from home; hasn't won under rules since 2019 and much-reduced mark looks justified.

25/1

Form: 5123F3 BF

Last run: 52 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Return to chasing has not gone well and he now reverts to hurdles; made all at Stratford (3m2f) in May but he's now 6lb higher in a much stronger race; looks vulnerable at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:47 Uttoxeter

Shantou Express

11st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Five-time hurdle winner; seemed to respond well to first-time cheekpieces (retained) when very respectable third at Stratford (2m6f, good to firm) this month but has become too inconsistent to rely upon.

12/1

3rd

5

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

19:48 Stratford

Shantou Express

11st 8lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

5-32 over hurdles (2m-3m2f), including on good to firm; first run back from a break in April was encouraging but he's gone backwards since and has to be forgiven a poor effort latest; on a fair mark if first-time cheekpieces help.

14/1

7th

1

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Worcester

Shantou Express

12st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Possible to say he's been temptingly handicapped for a while now, but dropping into a 0-110 here for just the second time; some hope if getting a less contested lead than last time (C&D), which isn't a given.

12/1

Form: /1151- D

Last run: 251 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Progressive sort who was placed in Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree two seasons ago; did well over fences last term, culminating in a handicap success at Ayr (3m, good to soft; solid form; had wind surgery since); fifth in the Brown Advisory here the time before; leading player provided he doesn't regress for the return to hurdling; chase mark is 5lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

20th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:50 Warwick

Dusart

11st 12lb

J: Mr Tom Chatfeild-Roberts

T: Kelly Morgan

Classy chaser at his best for Nicky Henderson before losing his way, albeit in the face of some tough assignments; current ability hard to gauge having unseated mid-race in a point last month after 12 months off.

7/2

10/1

Form: 411P33

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Ended his Irish career with wins over hurdles and fences in August; best effort for new yard when well-held third in Grade 2 at Ascot back hurdling last month; faces a more realistic task in this handicap but goes into unknown territory on first attempt beyond 2m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

10th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 110y

19:48 Roscommon

Uhtred

11st 3lb

J: Jake Coen

T: Gordon Elliott

Mostly disappointing for Dan Skelton but he was previously a five-time winner for Joseph O'Brien; second on his debut for this yard at Killarney last July; pulled up at Bellewstown the following month; back to form when springing a 28-1 surprise at Killarney last month, 6lb higher now.

8/1

1st

7

13th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 50y

18:10 Killarney

Uhtred

11st 4lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

midfield, headway and prominent when not fluent 3 out, ridden and challenging after 2 out, jumped slightly right last, ran on towards finish, led final strides

8/1

1st

7

13th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 50y

18:10 Killarney

Uhtred

11st 4lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

midfield, headway and prominent when not fluent 3 out, ridden and challenging after 2 out, jumped slightly right last, ran on towards finish, led final strides

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 23F2-6 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Useful mare who has a solid record at Cheltenham, including a win off this mark in the 2020 Martin Pipe; failed to beat a rival at Wetherby six weeks ago when bidding for a second success in the West Yorkshire Hurdle; however, has a fighting chance if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

11th Feb 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:05 Warwick

Indefatigable

11st 8lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Paul Webber

led before 2 out, pressed leader when headed 2nd, lost two places 6th, ridden after 8th, went third before 2 out, stayed on but no match for first two

20/1

5

4th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

14:55 Sandown

Indefatigable

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Paul Webber

An admirable mare over many seasons but she has failed to beat a rival in her two runs this term and looked badly out of sorts last time.

33/1

Form: 151-P2 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful stayer who scored at Wetherby (3m, good) and Carlisle (3m1f, soft) last season; good second, clear of remainder, back at Carlisle 12 days ago; possibilities off same mark (due to go up 2lb in future).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

1st Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:07 Sandown

Flight Deck

11st 1lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Deborah Cole

Has never tried this sort of trip with heavy ground but it could help; however, pulled up in this race in 2023 on his only visit to Sandown, went off the boil last January-May and although there's been a partial revival since, he needs better to take this warm race; 5lb claimer enlisted.

20/1

5

1st Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:07 Sandown

Flight Deck

11st 1lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Deborah Cole

Has never tried this sort of trip with heavy ground but it could help; however, pulled up in this race in 2023 on his only visit to Sandown, went off the boil last January-May and although there's been a partial revival since, he needs better to take this warm race; 5lb claimer enlisted.

20/1

4th

4

29th Nov 2024

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 1

15:05 Newbury

Flight Deck

11st 2lb

J: Chris Ward

T: Deborah Cole

Gradually finding his form this term; now 0-7 for current yard and appears to have the worst chance at the weights in this field but could perform well, having finished 2l third in this race last year.

25/1

Form: P31-2P

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Not beaten entirely by the 3m trip on latest chase start; raced at up to 2m5f otherwise under rules; creditable third off 5lb higher here in October 2020 when last seen over hurdles, so has an each-way shout if he stays the distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

25th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

14:58 Fontwell

Up The Straight

11st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Richard Rowe

Useful over fences and hurdles in his prime; three races this spring represents his busiest spell for ages and he was second of four over fences at Exeter (3m, good) on second occasion, but return to hurdling saw him well held over C&D (despite similar form) one month ago.

25/1

5

25th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

14:58 Fontwell

Up The Straight

11st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Richard Rowe

Useful over fences and hurdles in his prime; three races this spring represents his busiest spell for ages and he was second of four over fences at Exeter (3m, good) on second occasion, but return to hurdling saw him well held over C&D (despite similar form) one month ago.

25/1

7th

8

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

18:17 Fontwell

Up The Straight

10st 12lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Richard Rowe

Useful over fences and hurdles in his prime, winning four times at up to 2m5f; very lightly raced now but he showed signs of a revival when second of four over fences at Exeter (3m, good) three weeks ago; mark continues to fall and he's not ruled back in trip on return to hurdling.

12/1

Non-runners

Flight Deck, Up The Straight

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £23.10
Straight Forecast £23.80
Tricast £76.61
Trifecta £83.70

Selections

LAMBOURN:

Dusart

WEST COUNTRY:

Flight Deck

SPOTLIGHT:

Captain Morgs

RP Ratings:

Brazos

The Sun:

Uhtred

TOPSPEED:

Shantou Express

POSTDATA:

Annual Invictus

Telegraph:

Dusart

Daily Mail:

Dusart

D Express:

Dusart

The Star:

Dusart

Daily Record:

Captain Morgs

The Times:

Flight Deck

The Guardian:

Flight Deck

Daily Mirror:

Brazos