December 10 / 12.05 Cheltenham

12.05

Good

JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13007.5
  • 2m 0f 179y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
RTV
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JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain and snow

Form: 21 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Only Flat success came in a Class 5 1m3f handicap on the AW; did it nicely from the front on his second run over hurdles at Newcastle (good to soft) but he's in much deeper this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

22nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 5

15:18 Exeter

Cabrakan

12st 0lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Harriet Dickin

A dual hurdle winner for Milton Harris; well beaten on the Flat on first two starts for this stable in June and only made a satisfactory start to his chasing career when a well-held third at Plumpton (2m1f, good; second has won since) last month; has a fitness edge over some and not ruled out with that experience behind him, off 5lb lower.

11/2

3rd

4

22nd Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 214y

Class 4

16:20 Plumpton

Cabrakan

10st 13lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Harriet Dickin

Placed over hurdles for Milton Harris last autumn but returned from layoff with two poor Flat runs for new stable in June/July and has too much to prove on this chasing debut.

10/1

6th

4

(7)

27th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Newmarket (July)

Cabrakan

9st 3lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Harriet Dickin

Unraced beyond 1m4f on Flat but has scored over 2m and 2m4f as a hurdler; his significant Flat form was in 2022 and he was tailed off on recent return to Flat for new yard after eight months off; others have more pressing claims.

25/1

Abandoned

Form: 114 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Inferior to a few of these on the Flat; won his first two over hurdles (including a Listed race at Wetherby on good to soft) but his limitations were seemingly exposed when only fourth here four weeks ago, finishing behind Scriptwriter and Perseus Way; appeared to have no excuses under a positive ride.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

6th May 2023

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

17:05 Uttoxeter

Medyaf

10st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Juvenile hurdler who scored twice in October; limitations exposed since and hopes rest on the new trip and headgear perking him up.

20/1

9

21st Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:15 Ayr

Medyaf

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

in touch with leaders

12/1

7th

1

27th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 1

13:40 Chepstow

Medyaf

11st 5lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

Inferior to a few of these on the Flat; won his first two hurdles (including a Listed race at Wetherby on good to soft) but his limitations were seemingly exposed when only fourth at Cheltenham in the race won by Scriptwriter; appeared to have no excuses under a positive ride.

50/1

OUR TIP

Form: 11 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won a 2yo maiden for Aidan O'Brien and was only 6l away in a Group 3 this April; 62,000gns purchase and so far so good over hurdles, pretty impressive in beating a few of these here last month (good) in a race the stable won 12 months earlier with its top juvenile Knight Salute; first preference is Doncaster's 1.30, but he would have strong claims should he turn up here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(20)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Scriptwriter

9st 9lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Milton Harris

Ex-Aidan O'Brien; has seen more action for current yard, mostly in a hurdles campaign but he's also made advances on the Flat; 10-1 for a five-runner Group 3 over C&D (good to soft, unraced on firmer than good) on latest start and he gave the odds-on favourite Hamish a scare, just in front of Tashkhan; up 3lb but he's a rising force.

12/1

2nd

3

(1)

15th Jul 2023

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:45 York

Scriptwriter

9st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Milton Harris

Useful turf form for Aidan O'Brien; better when winning a 1m4f AW handicap in late December, in the midst of a higher-profile hurdles campaign; held up from wide draw in handicap at Royal Ascot and never got into it, probably running creditably; others in this Group 3 field have better form but he's considered for second.

16/1

7th

5

(15)

20th Jun 2023

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Scriptwriter

9st 11lb

J: David Egan

T: Milton Harris

Promise at up to 1m2f during short Flat career for Aidan O'Brien; all but one of his runs for this yard have been over hurdles (won juvenile Grade 2), the exception a 1m4f AW win last December; this is tougher but he may have untapped potential at 1m6f; handles good/soft, unraced on good to firm.

25/1

Form: 121 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Flat form is well down the pecking order and, although he's 2-3 over hurdles after wins at Cartmel (good) and Catterick (soft), those pieces of form leave him with plenty to find at this level; first preference is Doncaster (1.30).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

9th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 4

14:15 Musselburgh

The Churchill Lad

12st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

sweating, took keen hold, led, headed but prominent before 5th, mistake and lost position 8th, rallying when mistake 4 out, weakened before 3 out

4/1

1

9th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 4

14:15 Musselburgh

The Churchill Lad

12st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Front-runner who won on chase debut at Hexham (1m7f, good) in October and has run well in second the next twice (2m/1m7f, good to soft/good); he's fine at this trip (and on a variety of ground) and was effective here over hurdles; can make another bold bid.

4/1

2nd

2

8th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

14:45 Hexham

The Churchill Lad

11st 13lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Winning hurdler who has taken well to fences, beating Caithness by a head over C&D on debut last month before fair second off this 4lb higher mark at Carlisle (2m, good to soft); should go well again.

11/4

Form: 431 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful on Flat in Ireland for Jim Bolger (best RPR at 11.5f); won unchallenged at Southwell (2m, good) a month ago and could be a lively one despite this rise in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

7th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:35 Ayr

I Have A Voice

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Adam Nicol

Fairly useful 2m hurdles winner in early 2023, but offered little for Nigel Hawke in a pair of 2m handicap hurdles at Leicester and Lingfield in December; needs this yard switch to spark a resurgence.

33/1

8th

4

9th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:00 Lingfield

I Have A Voice

11st 9lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Scored twice as a juvenile hurdler two seasons ago; showed poor form last term and was pulled up on heavy ground only eight days ago on first start since wind surgery.

33/1

8th

4

9th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:00 Lingfield

I Have A Voice

11st 9lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Scored twice as a juvenile hurdler two seasons ago; showed poor form last term and was pulled up on heavy ground only eight days ago on first start since wind surgery.

33/1

Form: 1 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Eight runs on Flat, winning a 1m4f Curragh maiden in July before mid-division in the 1m6f Melrose at York; produced a most taking first display over hurdles at Punchestown (2m, yielding) where he travelled with ease before quickening right way after the last flight; the third went close in a Listed hurdle for mares last weekend; hard to knock; first preference 1.30 at Doncaster.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

22nd Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 2

13:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Nusret

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Nicky Henderson

Dual Flat winner and was a smart juvenile hurdler two seasons ago, winning twice and competitive at the top level; handicapped accordingly and left Joseph O'Brien under a bit of a cloud, albeit when highly tried; if as good as he was and not held back by his fitness after 233 days away, he'd go close; unraced over this far as a hurdler but stayed well on the Flat.

7/2

14th

6

1st Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 11y

17:05 Galway

Nusret

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Two wins on the Flat and a good juvenile hurdler two seasons ago, including winning the Grade 2 Adonis at Kempton; no match for Daddy Long Legs at Punchestown and down the field in the Ascot Stakes; others preferred.

14/1

11th

12

(8)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

18:05 Ascot

Nusret

9st 3lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Grade 1 placed as a juvenile hurdler in April 2023 and won a 1m6f Flat handicap at the Curragh that June; while his hurdles performances in December and this April were satisfactory, he appears to be much more interesting today away from soft ground (ran on good to firm just once, creditably) and with this new stamina test, which could be just his cup of tea.

14/1

Form: 21

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Godolphin winner and pretty useful for 1m2f Flat win in these colours for Owen Burrows in September; did well to finish second after some novicey jumping in a Grade 2 here (behind Scriptwriter) before making the most of a softer opening at Leicester, where again he wasn't foot perfect at his hurdles; the ability is there to go well should his jumping pass the test.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(1)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 16y

Class 5

16:51 Hamilton

Perseus Way

9st 1lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

Won over C&D (good to soft) last September and he's just 1lb higher today; won over hurdles at Hexham (2m4f, soft) last month on his second start for this yard and there's lots to like about his claims.

7/2

1st

12

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

Perseus Way

10st 6lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Won a Hamilton handicap for Stuart Coltherd in September (1m5f, good to soft); subsequently changed yards and promising third over 2m here on stable debut after a break last week (good); should improve on that but yet to prove he is as effective at this trip.

8/1

3rd

7

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 3

18:45 Hexham

Perseus Way

10st 13lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Won twice over hurdles in 2022-23; has changed stables three times since and perhaps best watched after a break on debut for latest new trainer, although is well handicapped now.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Five starts for the Gosdens, winning a 1m3f Haydock novice (good) and useful form in one of his two handicaps (AW); bought for 67,000gns; cheekpieces added for hurdling debut (blinkered last four starts) and dangerous to dismiss.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(8)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Almuhit

9st 7lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Faye Bramley

Rediscovered the knack for new stable last year, including two front-running wins over 2m in four-runner Flat races and two places when the action got more competitive; returned to some hurdles form on last two outings in that sphere; a lesser show on Musselburgh Flat in between was over 1m6f but this race may also prove too tough.

16/1

4th

15

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Almuhit

10st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

Four-time Flat winner is 2-19 over hurdles; 8l behind Laughing John when runner up in qualifier for this at Wincanton on penultimate; modest run on the level at Musselburgh on latest; others make more appeal.

12/1

Form: 2 BF

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Could win only one of nine Flat starts (pretty useful form) for George Boughey and came up just short when favourite for stable/hurdling debut at Warwick (good to soft; winner third at Sandown since); cheekpieces return but other runners are more intriguing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

16th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Worcester

Charles St

11st 5lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Quirky customer who doesn't tend to find much when it matters and is placed far more often than he wins; ran well when third at Market Rasen (2m7f, good) last month and remains on a workable mark, but is very frustrating.

8/1

3rd

7

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

18:20 Market Rasen

Charles St

11st 6lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Infrequent winner even when he runs well, as has been the case in his last two handicap hurdles; soft ground against him on the Flat most recently.

6/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Comfortable winner of his only run in France, a 1m6f conditions race on good to firm when fitted in this headgear combination; Irish trainer is operating a 22% strike-rate at Cheltenham in recent seasons and it's interesting that he starts him off here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

3rd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 3

13:40 Musselburgh

Jackpot de Choisel

10st 11lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Low-mileage Irish raider who held on well for hard-fought C&D win (soft) on last month's chasing debut; contests a stronger race today but has very obvious scope for further progress.

4/1

1st

3

5th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 3

13:20 Musselburgh

Jackpot de Choisel

11st 2lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Pulled up on final hurdle run last September (had blood in both nostrils post-race); however, this very lightly raced 5yo impressed in a novice hurdle at Ayr (2m, soft) last February and could be a major force if tapping back into that promise on his chase debut; betting may be informative.

100/30

Form: U

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Galileo gelding who made the frame on all seven of his Flat starts for James Ferguson, three times showing pretty useful form; later bought for 30,000gns; 17-2, jumped to the left and unseated his rider at the first in a juvenile hurdle at Sandown last week.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:38 Ludlow

Planet Legend

11st 6lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

His last four outings have seen him runner-up twice and pulled up twice; that makes him 2-14 over hurdles, with the two wins early in 2023 before he went handicapping; no problems with trip or ground but he does not appear the most reliable proposition on this switch to chasing.

8/1

4th

3

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:38 Ludlow

Planet Legend

11st 6lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

His last four outings have seen him runner-up twice and pulled up twice; that makes him 2-14 over hurdles, with the two wins early in 2023 before he went handicapping; no problems with trip or ground but he does not appear the most reliable proposition on this switch to chasing.

8/1

7

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:10 Wincanton

Planet Legend

11st 1lb

J: Oliver Boyden

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Only four ran at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November but he ran well behind an in-form rival; has each-way claims with Oliver Boyden again taking 10lb off his back.

20/1

Verdict

The whole complexion of this race will change significantly should Nusret and Scriptwriter be rerouted from their preferred engagements at Doncaster, as both would bring strong form claims. As things stand, PERSEUS WAY earns the vote after following up his highly encouraging first run over hurdles here (behind Scriptwriter) with an easy win at Leicester. Jackpot De Choisel (second choice) and Almuhit are intriguing runners for their respected Irish trainers, while I Have A Voice is not passed over lightly.[Alistair Jones]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Perseus Way

RP Ratings:

Nusret

POSTDATA:

Scriptwriter

WEST COUNTRY:

Charles St

D Express:

Perseus Way

Daily Mirror:

Perseus Way

The Sun:

Perseus Way

The Star:

Perseus Way

Daily Record:

Perseus Way

The Times:

Nusret

The Guardian:

Nusret

Daily Mail:

Nusret

Telegraph:

Scriptwriter