October 27 / 15.55 Cheltenham

15.55

Good To Soft

Sky Bet Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Sharp Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £28475
  • 2m 0f 87y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Sky Bet Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Sharp Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 346-11 D

Last run: 160 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree's National meeting in 2022; he wasn't an instant success over hurdles and the two races he won by clear daylight in May (2m/2m4f) were penalty kicks for a horse of his ability; however, this winning pointer retains significant potential and seems fine on all ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Lookaway

12st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Landed the bumper on this card in 2022; justified market support in major handicap at Kempton (good to soft; first attempt at 3m under rules) most recently, taking chase record to 3-5 and overall strike-rate to 9-20; remains particularly unexposed over this sort of distance and commands respect returned to Aintree, with further progress plausible.

13/2

1st

6

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Lookaway

11st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

A front-runner and not the only one; however, he was a Grade 2-winning hurdler and very much heading the right way over fences, as his third at Newbury (2m, good to soft) has worked out well and he then won by 24l over 2m4f here last month (left clear two out) despite being taken on by Leader In The Park; looks well in off only 4lb higher and, although unraced over this far, he's always looked a strong stayer at 2m4f.

10/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: B13-1 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Unable to defy a penalty in bumpers but posted an improved RPR of 119 when coming home in isolation on his hurdling debut at Worcester (2m, good to soft); like a lot of these, he's thoroughly unexposed and in good hands to progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 2

15:27 Plumpton

Kamsinas

11st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has faced a couple of difficult tasks since returned to hurdles but was beaten when taking a late fall returned to handicap level most recently; can be opposed off current mark in this deeper field.

16/1

2

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

Kamsinas

11st 11lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Second in two small-field chases this season before reverting to hurdles at big odds for two Cheltenham Grade 2s, soundly beaten on latest occasion; runner-up off the same mark in this race last term; 5lb claimer takes over and they are considered each-way.

4/1

5th

5

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Kamsinas

11st 2lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Some progressive form in handicap hurdles last season at up to 3m and, after two defeats over fences, he reverted to hurdles and finished fifth of six in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle (2m4f) here on New Year's Day; that was a respectable performance but he faces another tough task today.

33/1

16/1

  • Place: £4.20

Form: 1-1 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Newbury bumper winner who was nicely on top in the finish on his hurdling debut at Fontwell (2m1f, good); an RPR of 109 that day would suggest he needs to raise his game in this company, but that's feasible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 50y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Idy Wood

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Won over fences last season and has won twice over hurdles since September; now he's on a recovery mission after very quiet runs at Windsor (2m4f) and at the Cheltenham Festival (3m; again on his favoured good ground).

14/1

22th

16

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Idy Wood

10st 8lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Won two chases last season and 2-4 back hurdling this term, with all those wins on good ground but he also scored on soft in his novice days; however, tailed off at Windsor on New Year's Day, unraced beyond 2m5f under rules and needs to resume his improvement.

50/1

11

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 2

15:20 Chepstow

Idy Wood

10st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

2-5 over fences last season and gamely made all when back over hurdles for last month's reappearance at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good); might have a fitness edge over some of these but is 4lb higher in a much deeper race today.

8/1

Form: 52-1 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second in a big-field bumper at Punchestown's big spring meeting before joining these connections for 110,000euros; it was a winnable novice they unearthed at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) but couldn't have won that any easier; looks useful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 144y

Class 2

14:12 Haydock

Williethebuilder

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Christian Williams

Won two in a row at Kempton (2m, good) in the winter before another good run when fourth at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft), where he would have been a bit closer but for late interference; soft ground may not have been ideal in the County Hurdle three weeks ago; might not be far away.

7/1

18th

13

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Williethebuilder

10st 10lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

A rare one in that he's improved since leaving Dan Skelton, winning a pair of 2m handicaps on good ground at Kempton this winter; creditable fourth of ten in the Scottish County at Musselburgh six weeks ago but it underlines that he needs to find a bit more from this career-high mark.

25/1

4th

2

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

13:43 Musselburgh

Williethebuilder

11st 7lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Christian Williams

7yo who has been with a new stable since October and has shown career-best form to win at Kempton (2m, good) on his last two starts; has shown promise on soft/good to soft; clearly thriving and could take latest 6lb rise in his stride if today's slower conditions aren't an issue.

100/30

Form: 211 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second in a bumper at the Galway Festival before going one better at Killarney (soft); had no trouble in justifying short odds in an ordinary maiden hurdle at Navan (1m7f; yielding) and he's a well-bred Irish raider who commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(4)

16th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 6f 0y

16:45 Curragh

Toto Too

10st 5lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: James M Barrett

Bumper and dual hurdle winner for Gavin Cromwell; okay in four Flat runs for current stable without threatening; handicaps need to bring improvement.

20/1

5th

9

(8)

19th Jun 2025

Yielding

1m 7f 0y

20:30 Leopardstown

Toto Too

11st 7lb

J: Mr E P O’Brien

T: James M Barrett

Bumper/hurdles winner; has had bleeding issues; third over 1m4f at Dundalk in February, 0.5l behind Friary Road; unplaced in two turf outings since then, 0.5l behind Jet Setting Jim at Listowel.

12/1

Form: 22-1 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £200,000 after winning an Irish point; came up short in his two bumpers but strolled home by 14l on his switch to hurdles at Bangor (2m, soft) despite some novicey jumping; hard to know how good he is.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Act Of Authority

11st 10lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

Finished fifth with cheekpieces applied at the Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, soft) for another sound effort in the Martin Pipe; broadly consistent; likely to give his running in the retained headgear.

16/1

5th

13

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Act Of Authority

11st 6lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

Hasn't won since November 2024 but he's a broadly consistent sort and posted a cracking effort in this race (good to soft) 12 months ago, beating all bar smart mare Wodhooh who was very well handicapped; only 1lb higher and again has each-way possibilities; wears first-time headgear.

14/1

8th

4

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Act Of Authority

11st 8lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

Acts on soft ground; on a 15-month losing spell but is a consistent sort, creditable fourth to Listentoyourheart at Windsor (2m4f) most recently; again has frame possibilities.

7/1

Form: 4-211 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Progressed to win his third bumper start before comfortably outpointing his sole rival in a match on his hurdling debut at Hereford (2m3f, good to firm; should be fine on softer); others have achieved more but he's very much heading in the right direction.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

16th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Kempton

Parade Away

11st 9lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Placed twice in December for Anthony Charlton; returns from an 11-week layoff and makes debut for new stable (remains with same owner); has proved largely consistent but slow ground would be a negative, having registered his wins on good/good to firm.

12/1

3rd

1

29th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

14:15 Doncaster

Parade Away

11st 6lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Anthony Charlton

His hurdle win came in a match (2m3f, good to firm) and he carries a 6lb penalty against some interesting rivals; however, he was second behind an exciting winner at Hereford (2m3f, good) last time and can give another good account if the ground suits (ran well in a point on yielding to soft).

9/4

2nd

1

16th Dec 2023

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

12:25 Hereford

Parade Away

11st 7lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Anthony Charlton

Won Stratford bumper in the spring and easily followed up in C&D match race on hurdling debut in October; beaten only about 11l when last of seven finishers in Cheltenham Grade 2 (2m, good) later that month and needs to be taken very seriously in these much calmer waters.

8/13

OUR TIP

Form: 211911 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
The only of these with a Flat background and he's taken well to hurdling, progressing at a rate of knots in handicaps on his favoured good ground; it's difficult to gauge how far the momentum gathered in shallower waters might take him but he was never better than last time at Huntingdon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(5)

7th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Enthused

9st 8lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Doesn't win too often on the Flat these days but he has been placed on his last two starts, chasing home Seraphic at Chelmsford four weeks ago (1m2f); each-way claims again.

4/1

3

(8)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Enthused

9st 10lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: James Owen

Prolific winning hurdler who opened AW account with clear win in amateur riders' race at Chelmsford in June; returned to the Flat with two below-par runs at Kempton this month, though, and has only dropped 1lb.

25/1

3

(8)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Enthused

9st 10lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: James Owen

Prolific winning hurdler who opened AW account with clear win in amateur riders' race at Chelmsford in June; returned to the Flat with two below-par runs at Kempton this month, though, and has only dropped 1lb.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.30
Straight Forecast £35.16
Tricast £631.66
Trifecta £614.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Toto Too

WEST COUNTRY:

Kamsinas

LAMBOURN:

Idy Wood

D Express:

Act Of Authority

RP RATINGS:

Lookaway

POSTDATA:

Toto Too

The Times:

Toto Too

The Sun:

Toto Too

The Star:

Toto Too

Daily Record:

Toto Too

Telegraph:

Idy Wood

Daily Mirror:

Act Of Authority

The Guardian:

Kamsinas

Daily Mail:

Kamsinas

TOPSPEED:

Lookaway