November 17 / 15.30 Cheltenham

15.30

Soft

Trustatrader Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Hyde Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £28475
  • 2m 5f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
ITV4
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Trustatrader Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Hyde Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £23.00
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 1

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Belied his weakness in the betting at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft; drifted to 20-1) on rules debut, following up his Irish point win; goes into deeper waters on second hurdles start but looks open to further progress and could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

13

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 2

16:05 Ayr

Minella Missile

10st 10lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

This season hasn't been completely devoid of spark and he continues to drop down the weights, but he hasn't been shaping as though he's about to take advantage and his losing sequence is up to 11 races.

20/1

7th

12

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Minella Missile

11st 3lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Mrs C Williams

Hasn't won over hurdles since landing a Grade 2 novice in November 2023; has plummeted in the weights but doesn't look ready to take advantage.

33/1

8

31st Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 103y

Class 1

15:10 Sandown

Minella Missile

10st 8lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Unraced on heavy; not disgraced in fifth when cheekpieces were enlisted at Windsor on last two starts, the latest over 3m on soft, but that's still way below his peak form and he needs better.

12/1

OUR TIP

4/6

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 13-1

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Up-and-coming Ditcheat youngster; good third in last season's Champion Bumper (soft); stayed on well to justify favouritism in the Persian War at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft; Grade 2) on the switch to hurdles; didn't jump perfectly but can rectify that matter as he gains further experience; should continue to progress; commands respect under 5lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Captain Teague

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Has perhaps needed his two runs since a lengthy layoff, sixth to Fiercely Proud at Ascot latest; may be ready to hit top form and accordingly looks interesting off current mark when considering his back class (Grade 1 novice winner over 2m4f in December 2023).

20/1

6th

3

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Captain Teague

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Seemed to need latest run when back from a lengthy layoff; interesting off current mark assuming he's still capable of peak form, which includes a success in the 2023 Challow on soft ground.

5/1

2

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Captain Teague

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Absent since finishing lame at Newbury in November 2024, truncating a novice chase campaign; smart previously and has Grade 1 form, including a success in the Challow (2m4f, soft) as a novice hurdler; 2-4 in this sphere; on a workable mark provided he retains ability.

14/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 59-112 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Irish hurdler; failed to score last term but has shown improvement upped to 2m4f/2m5f this season, winning at Tipperary and Galway then respectable second (behind a Closutton odds-on shot) in Listed grade at Limerick; all wins on good or good to yielding but seems to handle softer; may still have more to offer at this sort of trip; big player despite 3lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

12th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 140y

16:37 Cork

The Big Doyen

10st 6lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Declan Queally

Talented hurdler placed at Grade 2 level in that sphere; 0-4 over fences and has been sparingly raced in the last two seasons; off since below par effort on debut for this yard at Wexford in May; capable but probably best watched on return to action.

16/1

8th

1

28th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 1f 0y

17:30 Wexford

The Big Doyen

11st 12lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Declan Queally

Dual bumper and hurdles winner for Peter Fahey but not as good a chaser last season; changed yards and reverts to hurdles off reduced mark and goes well fresh.

12/1

Form: 10-211

Last run: 118 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish 5yo who is 2-2 since switch to hurdles, recording 18l wins at Wexford (3m, good to yielding) and Cartmel (2m6f, heavy) in July; now goes in tongue-tie; faces stiffer opposition upped in class but looks useful and brings respectable RPRs to this bigger stage; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

1

17th Dec 2023

Yielding

2m 7f 0y

15:10 Thurles

Kinbara

12st 0lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Recorded two wide-margin wins in July, over 3m Wexford on good to yielding and over 2m6f at Cartmel; weakened from two out in 2m5f Cheltenham Grade 2 contest a month ago; down in class now.

6/1

4th

3

17th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Cheltenham

Kinbara

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: John C McConnell

Irish 5yo who is 2-2 since switch to hurdles, recording 18l wins at Wexford (3m, good to yielding) and Cartmel (2m6f, heavy) in July; now goes in tongue-tie; faces stiffer opposition upped in class but looks useful and brings respectable RPRs to this bigger stage; interesting contender.

5/1

1st

2

22nd Jul 2023

Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

14:15 Cartmel

Kinbara

11st 9lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Point and bumper winner; easily justified favouritism on hurdles debut at Wexford (3m maiden; good to yielding) a fortnight ago; penalised accordingly but trainer usually does well with his British runners (2-4 at Cartmel this season); likely to have plenty more to offer with conditions to suit.

4/9

Form: 341F45 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Irish handicap hurdler who scored twice (2m1f/2m4f) in the summer; respectable fifth in Pertemps qualifier here (3m, good to soft) most recently; remains in form but has raced 13 times in this sphere already and others have greater potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 22y

16:36 Punchestown

Moonovercloon

11st 11lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Hasn't really threatened over fences or over hurdles this year; beaten 12l when fourth at Listowel on latest; dropped another 2lb and blinkers now tried; others make more appeal.

20/1

4th

1

25th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:35 Listowel

Moonovercloon

11st 13lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Better over fences than hurdles and hasn't been overly threatening in this discipline in last three races; can look a hard ride at times.

20/1

2

27th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

18:25 Bellewstown

Moonovercloon

11st 9lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Better chaser than hurdler; has failed to exploit his lower hurdles mark in races at Wexford (behind Mercury Mission) and Sligo in recent weeks; others preferred.

10/1

Form: 554121 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish novice who has form figures of 121 since upped to 2m4f, overcoming trouble to win at Galway most recently (bare form can be marked up); penultimate effort ties him in with The Big Doyen on a line through the winner; could well improve further at this sort of distance; possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 5f 37y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Sequestered

11st 1lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Easy winner of 3m handicap chase at Leopardstown in December; ran well off revised mark when second over 2m5f at same track at DRF; failed to make any impression in the Ultima at Cheltenham; up against it.

25/1

9

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 5f 37y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Sequestered

11st 1lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Easy winner of 3m handicap chase at Leopardstown in December; ran well off revised mark when second over 2m5f at same track at DRF; failed to make any impression in the Ultima at Cheltenham; up against it.

25/1

10th

9

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Sequestered

11st 6lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Irish-trained novice who has improved the last twice, easily winning big-field handicap at Leopardstown (extended 3m, good to yielding) in December then second of 16 at same track (2m5f, yielding); could do with jumping better than last time but this progressive 7yo may have more left in the tank.

14/1

Form: P/

Last run: 605 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Solid second (strong form) in Irish point in December 2021; let down by his jumping in 3m novice hunter chase at Exeter three months later and has been absent since; stiff assignment on return to action.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

1st Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

12:25 Exeter

Supreme Commander

10st 2lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Anthony Charlton

Unexposed after only six rules starts but was unable to justify good market support when safely held on first two stable starts (hurdle/chase; both last month) and is 12lb out of the weights here.

20/1

11

1st Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

12:25 Exeter

Supreme Commander

10st 2lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Anthony Charlton

Unexposed after only six rules starts but was unable to justify good market support when safely held on first two stable starts (hurdle/chase; both last month) and is 12lb out of the weights here.

20/1

5th

6

17th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 5

12:45 Wincanton

Supreme Commander

10st 7lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Anthony Charlton

Lightly raced 7yo; interesting that he was so strong in the market when disappointing in a 3m handicap hurdle here 12 days ago, on trainer debut after a break (and wind surgery); presumably thought capable of better and a possible improver on this switch back to fences (ran in a hunter chase in 2022).

11/2

Form: 2

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Opened his account at the third attempt in Irish points; beat all bar the short-priced favourite in 2m3f novice hurdle at Wetherby for new yard; remains unexposed but this is a much tougher task.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

16th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:57 Market Rasen

Wild Side Of Life

11st 12lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: L J Morgan

Won Irish point; found 3m on heavy too much for him on handicap hurdle debut at Southwell and he hasn't made a strong transition to fences since but novice hurdle form at about 2m4f offers hope; new aids fitted.

8/1

4th

4

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 4

14:50 Newcastle

Wild Side Of Life

11st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: L J Morgan

Irish maiden point winner (2023) who was second over about 2m4f last season in two of his three novice hurdles; flopped on handicap hurdle debut last April (3m1f, heavy) and his jumping was not up to scratch when favourite again on chase debut in November; back down in trip and early days.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £51.00
Straight Forecast £38.61
Tricast £80.66
Trifecta £229.30

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Captain Teague

SPOTLIGHT:

Kinbara

D Express:

Sequestered

The Guardian:

Kinbara

Daily Mirror:

Kinbara

The Star:

Kinbara

TOPSPEED:

Captain Teague

POSTDATA:

Captain Teague

WEST COUNTRY:

Captain Teague

The Times:

Captain Teague

Telegraph:

Captain Teague

Daily Mail:

Captain Teague

The Sun:

Captain Teague

Daily Record:

Captain Teague