November 17 / 16.05 Cheltenham

16.05

Soft

Valda Energy Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 2m 0f 87y
  • Class 3
  • 17 runners
RTV
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Valda Energy Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 17 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: /212-1 D

Last run: 187 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
1-7 and 1-5 when easy winner at Exeter (2m) in March and Ludlow (2m5f) in May, with two seconds in his other two hurdle starts; acts on soft; makes handicap debut off what looks a good mark, with potential too.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Impose Toi

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Relished step up in trip when winning C&D handicap (good to soft) in November and won the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) and Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft) on his next two starts, with Strong Leader in second on both occasions; below par at Cheltenham on last two runs (good record there previously) and it was disconcerting that he was pulled up in the Stayers', but he's in the picture if back to his best.

13/2

8

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Impose Toi

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Handicap runner-up at last year's Festival; made it 3-3 over staying trips in the Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in December; not seen to same effect when 7l second to Ma Shantou in the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle over C&D in January but was conceding 6lb to the winner and the soft going perhaps wasn't ideal; could have a part to play if bouncing back to his best.

10/1

2nd

2

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Impose Toi

11st 8lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

A revelation this season since upped to staying trips, winning a handicap at Aintree (3m, good to soft) and enjoying further success in Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) and Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft); beat Strong Leader by just over 1l last time and he's produced positive performances on both previous runs here; he's the one to beat.

4/5

16/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 3343-1 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Placed in his two bumpers; novice hurdles on last three starts, on the latest having been clear from two out when hanging on by a neck from Artistic Endeavour at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) five weeks ago; brings potential to this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:30 Ayr

Donnacha

11st 3lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Can make mistakes but he was runner-up twice in a row prior to winning a quality handicap at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in January, when clear with subsequent Ultima runner-up Jagwar; a 5lb rise for that career-best performance isn't harsh and he's entitled to respect.

5/2

1st

7

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

13:15 Cheltenham

Donnacha

10st 8lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Hard to knock in terms of consistency and he again ran creditably when second of seven at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) on Welsh National day; however, he's prone to the odd mistake and may not get away with them on his first run over fences at Cheltenham.

12/1

3rd

1

28th Oct 2025

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 3

15:28 Ffos Las

Donnacha

12st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Struck form over fences at start of this year, winning over 2m3f on soft ground at Exeter and Chepstow; subsequent 261-day break may have checked his momentum but further progress is possible this season.

4/1

OUR TIP

11/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 344-11 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Back this autumn for front-running wins at Kelso (2m) in a maiden on good ground and a 15-runner handicap on soft, the latter delivered with serious authority; has to be taken seriously despite this 8lb higher mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

14:03 Kelso

Caithness

11st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

It was only his second run over fences but he jumped well when pulling clear with the favourite at Wetherby (1m7f, good to soft) and a 6lb rise seems fair; good chance.

13/8

2

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

14:03 Kelso

Caithness

11st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

It was only his second run over fences but he jumped well when pulling clear with the favourite at Wetherby (1m7f, good to soft) and a 6lb rise seems fair; good chance.

13/8

5

27th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 36y

Class 2

14:45 Wetherby

Caithness

10st 13lb

T: Lucinda Russell

20/1

  • Place: £4.00

Form: 35-315

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won maiden at Huntingdon (2m3f, good) on second start over hurdles; better form when fifth of seven in a 4yo event here (2m, good to soft) later in October, racing freely up front and looking very novicey over most of his hurdles, including by jumping out to his right; should be capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

15:00 Wincanton

Mr Mackay

11st 8lb

J: Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Pretty consistent over fences and hurdles on good/good to soft ground this season and has slipped to a good mark; campaigned mainly at around 2m but has won over an extended 2m3f; probably won't be far away.

5/2

5th

8

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

17:07 Doncaster

Mr Mackay

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Seemed in good form over fences before the turn of the year and reportedly suffered an overreach on his return to hurdling at Musselburgh; on a competitive mark.

12/1

5th

2

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

16:27 Musselburgh

Mr Mackay

11st 13lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Fair efforts in the autumn across first three chase starts, finishing second last time (2m, good) despite not jumping well; on a handy mark on last season's best hurdle form; could be a contender now back in this sphere.

8/1

Form: 5-22

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Beaten a neck at Plumpton (2m, good) in May and Chepstow (2m, good to soft) five weeks ago in the last two of his only three races; stoutly bred and made serious inroads late on from off the pace when nearly catching Donnacha last time; this should be more of a slog and will help with further improvement on this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

4th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:20 Plumpton

Artistic Endeavour

12st 0lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

took keen hold, disputed lead, good jump 4 out, going best when not fluent 3 out, soon led clearly, faced challenge 2 out, headed last, kept on run-in

9/4

Form: 0F5332

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Experienced maiden, with new yard for last five starts; has posted creditable efforts in handicaps in recent months and runner-up in a maiden (2m, soft) on latest outing but he needs to find a bit extra; ridden by Jack Gilligan on last three starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

19th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 5

14:50 Lingfield

Macs Xpress

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Clare Ellam

Maiden who was big prices and well held throughout 2025; goes without regular headgear but hard to foresee a good run from out of the weights.

66/1

11

31st Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:40 Uttoxeter

Macs Xpress

10st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Clare Ellam

Pulled up on both outings this season (2m4f/2m7f) and now 0-29 over hurdles; drops back to about 2m and swaps cheekpieces for first-time visor here; very difficult to enthuse over.

50/1

11

31st Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:40 Uttoxeter

Macs Xpress

10st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Clare Ellam

Pulled up on both outings this season (2m4f/2m7f) and now 0-29 over hurdles; drops back to about 2m and swaps cheekpieces for first-time visor here; very difficult to enthuse over.

50/1

Form: /9092/

Last run: 691 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Winning the Amateurs' Derby at Epsom (1m4f handicap) in August was his third win and best Flat form; two respectable Flat runs since; 0-8 over hurdles, beaten 5l when ninth in this race two years ago and by a nose in handicap at Leopardstown (2m, soft) the following month; not seen in this sphere since (unraced at all in 2022) but no shock if he's a contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

16:00 Cheltenham

Belgoprince

11st 1lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Close up when placed in two run-of-the-mill handicap hurdles this season (2m2f/2m) but he's 0-12 in this sphere now and his two Flat runs in September were disappointing; needs to raise his game.

10/1

Form: 9-23

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Bought for £380,000 after winning an Irish point last November; flopped in a bumper but placed at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) and Wetherby (2m3f, soft) on both starts over hurdles; travelled smoothly long way in the latter and had every chance at the last; promising.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 05-402

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
0-8, all hurdling and that includes four handicaps but best run was on latest start when close second of 22 at Punchestown (upped to 2m4f, yielding); now has headgear first time; needs better still but there was promise last time in the way he made up significant ground to have every chance on the run-in; trainer's runners in Britain continue to demand great respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

6th Aug 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 44y

17:00 Roscommon

Downtherefordancin

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Now 0-14 over hurdles but several solid runs in handicaps over this trip; well below best back in maiden company at Sligo last time but on best form holds every chance here in a weak enough maiden.

15/8

5th

3

11th Jun 2024

Good

2m 1f 182y

17:45 Sligo

Downtherefordancin

11st 12lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

Several solid runs in handicaps but didn't seem to stay 2m6f when disappointing at Tramore last time; has a chance if bouncing back

3/1

4th

1

1st Jun 2024

Soft

2m 5f 175y

19:55 Tramore

Downtherefordancin

12st 0lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

midfield

5/1

Form: 5-7577

Last run: 55 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
2-4 in Irish points; yet to make the breakthrough under rules (nine attempts) and that includes two runs over fences; beaten about 15l in handicaps in his two runs back over hurdles in September, nevertheless his closest finishes in this sphere; others have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

19:20 Fontwell

Kitsilano

11st 12lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: David Bridgwater

Both wins on heavy, latterly a 2m chase at Leicester in February; creditable third at Plumpton next time but didn't jump well when remote fourth over 2m5f here (good to soft) four weeks ago; on the back of that the cheekpieces he's worn on his last five outings are replaced by a first-time visor.

12/1

4th

1

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

15:30 Fontwell

Kitsilano

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: David Bridgwater

The ground was heavy for his hurdle win in Ireland (2m3f) and when scoring by 8l at Leicester two runs ago (2m), opening his chase account after wind surgery; ran okay off this 7lb higher mark at Plumpton (soft) latest but drying conditions might not be favourable.

11/4

Form: 1222- D BF

Last run: 207 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
A debut win and three seconds over hurdles in last season's first campaign, twice from the front; acts on soft; had wind surgery in September; should be a promising sort for handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

14th Jan 2026

Good

2m 0f 69y

Class 4

15:50 Newbury

Tintintin

11st 13lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Close fourth of 17 at in the Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m, good to soft) last March and now 5lb lower; it was his chase debut when pulled up at Lingfield in November but he nevertheless arrives with something to prove regarding his current form; wears first-time cheekpieces.

20/1

12

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

13:15 Cheltenham

Tintintin

11st 1lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Fourth in Greatwood Hurdle here (2m, good) last November and kept on from poor position to fill same spot in Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m, good to soft) in March; unexposed over 2m4f but, on balance, others appeal more.

14/1

Form: O7-412 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Looks more potent now over hurdles than on Flat, winning a maiden at Roscommon in September and beaten a head on handicap hurdle debut at Cork (again 2m on soft) 12 days ago; both were under claimer Eamonn Fitzgerald; better still looks on its way and he is one to note.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 2f 150y

15:30 Naas

Showman

11st 0lb

J: Jake Coen

T: Peter Fahey

Won a Roscommon maiden and touched off by a progressive sort in a Cork handicap in the second half of 2023; down the field at Punchestown in November on first run for ten months; hard to fancy; first time with cheekpieces.

20/1

8th

13

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 2f 150y

15:30 Naas

Showman

11st 0lb

J: Jake Coen

T: Peter Fahey

prominent, not fluent 4th

20/1

15th

13

23rd Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 3f 87y

14:50 Punchestown

Showman

11st 1lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Peter Fahey

Flat maiden showed improved form in this discipline, winning a Roscommon maiden and touched off by a progressive sort in a Cork handicap, before disappointing at Cheltenham and Leopardstown; off the track 333 days; hard to fancy on return.

33/1

Form: -34662

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Fair maiden after seven races under rules; ran in handicaps on last two outings, good second of seven at Huntingdon (2m, good to soft) on latest when he made a mistake at the final flight; headgear enlisted; could still prove capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Warwick

Redbridge Rambler

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

Two good runs behind subsequent winners at Hereford and Catterick (both 3m1f, good) in late 2025; always struggling over an inadequate 1m7f at Wincanton (no headgear; cheekpieces return) in April and perhaps fortunate to get dropped 2lb; fair chance of another win.

7/2

Form: 2-2235

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
5-20 overall on Flat, doing well this year at 1m4f-2m; 0-11 over hurdles but that includes five seconds and he's also not been discredited on last two outings (on yielding to soft; tried 2m4f latest); has the form to be on the premises.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(1)

12th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 182y

19:40 Killarney

Sequoiaspirit

11st 7lb

J: Mr L Hackett

T: Ray Hackett

Strong stayer with the form to feature off this mark but he has been very quiet in two runs over hurdles this year.

10/1

14

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 0y

15:00 Cork

Sequoiaspirit

10st 10lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: Ray Hackett

Is just 1-27 over hurdles and was well beaten here last time after a break; can improve on that but plenty others preferred.

40/1

8th

1

19th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 45y

16:30 Cork

Sequoiaspirit

11st 12lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: Ray Hackett

Last three runs in 2025 were over shorter trips; best form has been at 2m6f, including when second at Killarney last August; each-way chance.

13/2

Form: 212903

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won handicaps at Downpatrick (2m2f, soft; awarded the race) in April and Punchestown (2m3f) in June before good second at Sligo (2m1f); not so good in his three starts since, making a satisfactory chase debut last time but he now needs to take his form to a new level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

27th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

16:42 Wexford

Warm In Gorey

10st 12lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Three-time winner over hurdles; totally out of form over fences, pulled up on last three starts; blinkers tried now; main positive is that he has often run well at this venue, placed four times from seven visits, including twice last summer.

8/1

6

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

19:08 Wexford

Warm In Gorey

11st 6lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: P J Rothwell

Three-time winner over hurdles, 0-17 chasing but C&D second last summer off 5lb higher; has failed to complete last three outings so very hard to be confident in.

14/1

12

5th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 110y

14:58 Thurles

Warm In Gorey

10st 10lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Three-time winner over hurdles, 0-16 over fences, placed seven times; confidence possibly dented after two failures to complete.

12/1

40/1

Form: 4-U118 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
0-10 in Ireland; tongue tied in Britain, readily winning a maiden at Worcester (2m, soft) on stable debut and following up at 2-15 in a novice at Fontwell (2m5f); needs to bounce back from a poor show under 7lb claimer at Worcester seven weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Sep 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 5

17:05 Uttoxeter

En Avant

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won over hurdles on first two runs for this yard (2m/2m5f, soft/good to soft) and he returned from a long absence with a close third of five over fences here in July (good); down to a Class 5 here and should be on the premises if backing up that run.

5/2

3rd

5

25th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 4

16:58 Uttoxeter

En Avant

10st 9lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

Absent since November 2023 when tailed off in a Cheltenham handicap hurdle; won two minor hurdles earlier that year and Olly Murphy could easily get him back on track; tailed off on sole chase start when trained in Ireland.

8/1

Form: 4F6-2

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
One 2m win from 21 races on the Flat, showing fair form; has shown ability in all four starts (maidens) over hurdles, the latest when runner-up to an impressive odds-on winner at Punchestown in October; could have more to give in this sphere and it is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

15

26th Dec 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

13:45 Leopardstown

Barometer

10st 12lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: John Joseph Murphy

midfield

20/1

17th

4

17th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

16:05 Cheltenham

Barometer

11st 11lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Joseph Murphy

One 2m win from 21 races on the Flat, showing fair form; has shown ability in all four starts (maidens) over hurdles, the latest when runner-up to an impressive odds-on winner at Punchestown in October; could have more to give in this sphere and it is needed.

20/1

Non-runners

Innatendue

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £35.80
Straight Forecast £28.01
Tricast £121.74
Trifecta £246.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Impose Toi

The Times:

Caithness

TOPSPEED:

Redbridge Rambler

Daily Mail:

Downtherefordancin

POSTDATA:

Mr Mackay

WEST COUNTRY:

Tintintin

D Express:

Brook Bay

SPOTLIGHT:

Showman

The Star:

Belgoprince

Daily Record:

Caithness

The Guardian:

Redbridge Rambler

LAMBOURN:

Impose Toi

Telegraph:

Impose Toi

Daily Mirror:

Impose Toi

The Sun:

Impose Toi