November 18 / 15.30 Cheltenham

15.30

Good To Soft

Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £13202.5
  • 2m 5f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
ITV
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Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.13
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 13116-

Last run: 217 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Can race freely; won three novice events (Carlisle, Ascot and Wetherby) last season and ran creditably in one appearance at this track; put in his place in a Grade 1 novice at Aintree (11-1) in April but still ran respectably in sixth; this handicap debut is over a little further but he's bred to stay well and starts this second season jumping with potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Springwell Bay

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

midfield

13/2

1st

4

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:05 Cheltenham

Springwell Bay

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

took keen hold, towards rear, mistake 11th, headway going easily from 3 out, led after 2 out, good jump last, went clear run-in, comfortably

3/1

1st

4

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:05 Cheltenham

Springwell Bay

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

took keen hold, towards rear, mistake 11th, headway going easily from 3 out, led after 2 out, good jump last, went clear run-in, comfortably

3/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: U314-2

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
First run for ages on soft ground when good second of 12 off 3lb lower at Wincanton (2m5f) three weeks ago; needs to build on that but it's possible after just five runs over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:45 Taunton

Gyenyame

11st 8lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

On a losing run but he's proving a consistent sort and came in a good second of eight in 3m1f handicap chase at Wincanton 19 days ago; he's firmly in the picture again off an unchanged mark.

3/1

2nd

5

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:40 Wincanton

Gyenyame

11st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Sole win since taking a 2m4f maiden hurdle on this card in 2023 came in a weak three-runner beginners' chase; respected on the form of November's Exeter 0-130 second (3m, good), however, with a tough task at the weights and (latest) desperate ground viable excuses either side of that.

6/1

3rd

2

18th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

16:55 Newton Abbot

Gyenyame

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Seemingly aided by blinkers when runner-up in two Class 4 handicap chases at Taunton (2m5f/2m7f) in February/March but can't be recommended in this company.

20/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 61-68P

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
3-14 over hurdles, most notably coming from off the pace to win a 15-runner series final at Haydock (3m, good to soft; 4lb higher today) in April; chance on that but there have been backward steps in his three starts since, absent over five months before his poor show on soft two weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

14th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Warwick

Tiger Jet

12st 0lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Jennie Candlish

took keen hold, led, not fluent 3rd, hit 4 out, headed before 2 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened

6/4

3rd

1

14th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Warwick

Tiger Jet

12st 0lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Jennie Candlish

took keen hold, led, not fluent 3rd, hit 4 out, headed before 2 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened

6/4

2nd

3

19th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 4

17:35 Haydock

Tiger Jet

11st 9lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Jennie Candlish

Won over C&D (good to soft) in April 2023 and returned to form to win on stable debut at Cartmel (2m6f, heavy) last August; however, two lesser runs have followed and he needs to get back on track after a break.

6/1

Form: 113 D BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Useful German Flat winner (1m4f/1m2f) in 2022; three hurdle races for this yard at Newton Abbot, with two wins (2m2f and 2m6f) before good third on heavy ground on handicap hurdle debut; wore cheekpieces last two starts; needs a good deal better, including as he's 4lb out of the handicap, but Flat form gives some hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

28th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

17:05 Newbury

Wonderful Eagle

11st 4lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

took keen hold, towards rear

5/1

3rd

10

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Wonderful Eagle

10st 2lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

held up in midfield, headway and disputing second when mistake and lost ground last, rallied run-in, went fourth towards finish

12/1

3rd

10

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Wonderful Eagle

10st 2lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

held up in midfield, headway and disputing second when mistake and lost ground last, rallied run-in, went fourth towards finish

12/1

14/1

Form: 21P9-0 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Made a cracking start to his hurdles career in January with two runs at Cheltenham (2m4f Grade 2 win on soft on second occasion) but pulled up at the Festival and suffered heavy defeats in both starts since; latest was handicap debut here (3m; 16-1) three weeks ago; perhaps best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Rock My Way

11st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

2-14 record over fences includes some big runs, including when he hacked up at Ascot (3m5f, good) in November and took second in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter (4m2f, soft) on latest outing; the Ascot race was going this way round but so was his penultimate start when he kept jumping to his left at Musselburgh (12l second to Transmission); that's a niggling concern but he's handicapped to go well if this is another good day.

14/1

2nd

1

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Rock My Way

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Only 2-13 over fences and doesn't score too highly for consistency; however, flashes of his form read well, notably his second to Haiti Couleurs in last year's 3m6f National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and a clearcut win at Ascot this season; beaten 12l by a revitalised winner at right-handed Musselburgh last time (3m7f, good to soft) but he jumped left at a good few of his fences that day; last year Mr Vango became the first top weight to win since Bonanza Boy in 1991; handles all ground; each-way claims.

14/1

2nd

1

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 76y

Class 2

15:05 Musselburgh

Rock My Way

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Only 2-12 over fences but he was second in the 3m6f NH Chase at Cheltenham (good to soft; has won on soft) last March and breezed home 11l in front at Ascot (3m5f, good) in November; disappointing in the Welsh National (rather getting squeezed out at the start didn't help) but he has a big shout if reverting to the Ascot level of performance.

5/2

Form: 0P-611

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Transformed with new yard, winning handicaps at Punchestown (2m3f; by a street) in June and Killarney (2m7f, yielding to soft; in a tight scrap) in October, with Flat success in between; going great guns but this mark seems to ask a lot more of him, especially from 3lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

31st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 80y

16:30 Kilbeggan

Londonofficecallin

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Dual-purpose sort; a winner of six races on the Flat, including the Cork Derby on latest (1m4f, soft) on first run back after a break; 4-28 over hurdles and rated 120; makes a belated chase debut at the age of nine but not bred for this discipline; in good form right now though and can't be discounted.

7/1

1st

12

(19)

3rd May 2026

Yielding

1m 4f 30y

15:43 Cork

Londonofficecallin

8st 11lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won a 1m6f conditions race and two races over hurdles in 2025; lacks a recent outing and possibly more effective as a hurdler at this stage of his career.

12/1

10

(15)

19th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

16:35 Leopardstown

Londonofficecallin

9st 4lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: Gavin Cromwell

Took him an age to get off the mark, but fine strike-rate under rules since the start of 2023, all five Flat wins coming over this trip and upwards, including readily beating Not Just Any Eagle 5l at Fairyhouse (1m6f) in July; tame effort on Wolverhampton AW later in month but still very much respected on return from a break.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1311-2

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Hooded all starts; 2m wins at Wetherby and Perth (soft) in April on first two over hurdles; reappeared in Grade 2 novice at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) five weeks ago and showed improved form in second of seven, albeit no match for yesterday's Cheltenham runner Captain Teague; should be open to further progress, which makes him a leading player in this handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Resplendent Grey

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won this race (good ground) last year in first-time cheekpieces off a 10lb lower mark; first and second in two small fields this season, alongside two heavy defeats in top handicaps; tried blinkers when fading right out of it at the Cheltenham Festival last time and now reverts to cheekpieces; also back on firmer ground but a new career best is needed.

12/1

15th

3

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Resplendent Grey

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown (extended 3m4f, good) last April in first-time cheekpieces and returned to form when second at Windsor (2m6f, soft) in January; his jumping can sometimes lack fluency but, with first-time blinkers replacing the cheekpieces, he has an each-way chance if minimising the mistakes; fourth of 18 in the NH Chase here (3m6f, good to soft) last March.

16/1

2nd

3

18th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Resplendent Grey

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown (3m4f, good) last April and reappeared with Listed Intermediate win at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft); also effective on soft ground; however, soundly beaten in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft) last time and has something to find today.

10/1

Form: -P04P4 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Won the second of his 12 races over hurdles; inconsistent in his last five starts, twice a creditable fourth in big-field handicaps at 3m/2m7f in yielding ground and this drop back in trip is a possible help; more to prove on soft (ran on it once, respectably) and has cheekpieces first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

29th Sep 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 25y

16:00 Roscommon

Another Choice

11st 3lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Last success over hurdles came in a Downpatrick maiden in July 2022; has never won a handicap of any description and hasn't looked like changing that in recent starts; new blinkers need to provide a spark.

20/1

16

3rd Aug 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

14:20 Galway

Another Choice

11st 4lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Went close in the 3m5f Porterstown Chase at Fairyhouse last December; out of form until running creditably over 2m6f here on Thursday; has a bit to find with third-placed Arctic Gale.

20/1

Form: F310-F

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won maiden at Limerick (3m, soft) in March but soundly beaten on handicap debut, before sold out of Paul Nolan's for £20,000; blinkers (worn on last four starts in Ireland) were removed for stable/chase debut at Ludlow last month and the jumping did not go well, albeit getting closer before her fall four out; back hurdling but others look more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

13th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

15:10 Fakenham

Fortunefavorsdbold

11st 13lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Suffered early mishap three starts ago but placed on other four outings this season, most recently when second ay Exeter (3m, good) three weeks ago; ran poorly on only previous visit to Fakenham and would appeal more on ground slower than good but still features prominently in calculations.

5/2

2nd

2

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

15:37 Exeter

Fortunefavorsdbold

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Christian Williams

Suffered early mishap on penultimate outing but placed on other three starts this season, most recently when clear second to dual subsequent winner at Leicester (2m6f, heavy) last month; might not be ideally suited by the much quicker ground here but still commands respect.

15/8

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.50
Straight Forecast £11.42
Tricast £142.19
Trifecta £139.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Resplendent Grey

TOPSPEED:

Springwell Bay

SPOTLIGHT:

Gyenyame

The Star:

Londonofficecallin

The Times:

Resplendent Grey

The Guardian:

Resplendent Grey

The Sun:

Resplendent Grey

Daily Record:

Resplendent Grey

WEST COUNTRY:

Springwell Bay

Telegraph:

Springwell Bay

Daily Mail:

Springwell Bay

D Express:

Springwell Bay

POSTDATA:

Gyenyame

Daily Mirror:

Gyenyame