February 29 / 16.35 Wetherby

16.35

Soft

Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £9241.75
  • 2m 3f 154y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 14F5P2 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Shot up the weights after winning by 12l at Perth (2m4f, soft) in September and there's a suspicion he remains a shade high in the handicap, but he ran well when second of fourth at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy) last time and might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Uncle Bert

11st 6lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

1-6 over fences, the success at Aintree (2m4f) on seasonal debut; seemed a non-stayer in the Welsh National before eventually falling, then ran below form at Cheltenham (2m4f); return to this venue may have a positive effect but he ideally needs assistance from the weather, having gained all wins on soft ground.

20/1

7th

5

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

13:15 Cheltenham

Uncle Bert

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made much of the running when winning in dominant style at Aintree (2m4f, soft) in December; beaten when falling late on in the Welsh National three weeks later, lack of stamina a possible factor; back to a more suitable trip here but now off a career-high mark and others appeal more.

9/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: P-7413 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 12st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Prominent racer who was a comfortable winner on stable debut here (2m5f, soft) on Boxing Day and was a close third to War Soldier over today's C&D (soft) last time; every chance he'll be thereabouts once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

The Four Sixes

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

But disappointing in four runs over hurdles since a spell chasing; has dropped to a good mark as a result and better run last time; down in grade; could go well.

5/1

4th

3

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 2

16:05 Ayr

The Four Sixes

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Easily made all in this last year when 5lb higher and he's one to watch in the betting; however, he's struggled for form over fences/hurdles since winning a novice chase at Kelso in December.

11/1

7th

3

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 2

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

The Four Sixes

11st 11lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

Won this last year before following up at Ayr and is well handicapped on all that; however, this season's wins have been over fences and it's been a struggle back hurdling the last twice.

5/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 4-0111 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Improving 9yo who has won under William Maggs at Newcastle (2m4f, heavy/good) on his last three starts, the latest a fortnight ago; up in grade today but did it nicely last time and he's been effective elsewhere in the past; has to enter calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

19th Feb 2026

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:43 Sedgefield

North Parade

12st 0lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Course winner; last three wins were over 2m4f at Newcastle in 2023/4; sound run when fourth at Haydock last time (2m3f, good to soft); now 2lb lower and interesting with cheekpieces tried.

9/1

Form: -4548F BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 6yo who weakened on handicap debut here (3m, soft) in January and could be better suited by this trip; mid-race faller at Carlisle ten days ago, however, and others arrive with more compelling credentials.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:52 Carlisle

Paddy OMahler

10st 13lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Solid record (22112) having wind surgery, proving better than ever; beaten only half a length by Chasingouttheblues at Catterick (3m1f, good to soft) most recently; firmly in the mix.

4/1

2nd

5

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 4

16:00 Catterick

Paddy OMahler

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Won in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) in December on third chase start and followed up at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft); climbing the weights but this 8yo is clearly on the up.

7/2

Form: 13-14F CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 12st 2lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Made it 4-6 over hurdles with comfortable handicap win on reappearance over C&D (soft) in November, and solid fourth in Cheltenham handicap (2m4f, soft) next time; early faller in Listed mares' hurdle at Haydock latest; this lightly raced 6yo could continue to improve and she's respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:35 Haydock

Windtothelightning

11st 1lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Mare who was progressive last year and returned to form when seventh of 15 at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month, beaten just under 3l; she went very close in a 3m point and this first attempt at a staying trip under rules is worth a go; not discounted.

11/1

4th

9

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:35 Haydock

Windtothelightning

11st 1lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Mare who was progressive last year and returned to form when seventh of 15 at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month, beaten just under 3l; she went very close in a 3m point and this first attempt at a staying trip under rules is worth a go; not discounted.

11/1

7th

4

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Windtothelightning

11st 5lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

midfield, lost position 5th

12/1

Form: 3P6122 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Posted his fourth win at Catterick in December (2m3f, soft) and runner-up there the next twice; races here for the first time but it's been a while since he's run well away from Catterick, which creates a question mark today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

26th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

15:53 Wetherby

Hajey

11st 6lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Tracy Waggott

Won at Catterick (2m3f, soft) in December 2023 and runner-up there the next twice (2m3f, soft/heavy); well treated on that form but well below his best on his three starts since; revival needed now up in trip.

20/1

8th

1

10th Feb 2025

Good

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

16:00 Catterick

Hajey

12st 0lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Tracy Waggott

led, headed and prominent before 3rd, not fluent 4 out, weakened before 2 out

14/1

Form: -153PP D

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Runs off a mark 4lb lower than when winning over fences at Cartmel last May and has had jumping issues when struggling in chases on his last three starts, so this return to hurdling is worth a go; showed promise in this sphere early in career but there's a major doubt regarding his current form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Worcester

Ubetya

11st 5lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

midfield

14/1

3rd

1

15th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

20:15 Uttoxeter

Ubetya

12st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Very well handicapped on old chasing form and seemed to have turned a corner when fourth over hurdles at Ludlow (3m, good) in April but last month's Huntingdon fouth was a rather laboured effort and others in this field have more persuasive profiles; won't mind what the weather does.

14/1

4th

7

21st May 2024

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 3

19:40 Huntingdon

Ubetya

11st 4lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Lost his way over fences last season and was safely held when back over hurdles in February but last month's staying-on fourth at Ludlow (3m, good; about 6l behind Planet Legend) was much more encouraging, and he remains very well handicapped on older form.

10/1

Form: 037-41 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won two novice hurdles last season (2m/1m7f) and was suited by the step back up in trip when winning over C&D (soft) four weeks ago, doing well to rally after his rider lost an iron after two out; unexposed at this distance and a 6lb rise may not stop him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 3

13:25 Doncaster

War Soldier

10st 10lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Ended last season's light campaign with two poor performances but ran big race in defeat when reappearing at Carlisle (2m1f, soft; just behind Coniston George) last month and can cope with a recent 2lb nudge.

11/2

3rd

6

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 3

13:25 Doncaster

War Soldier

10st 10lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Ended last season's light campaign with two poor performances but ran big race in defeat when reappearing at Carlisle (2m1f, soft; just behind Coniston George) last month and can cope with a recent 2lb nudge.

11/2

3rd

1

19th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 33y

Class 4

15:49 Carlisle

War Soldier

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

in touch with leaders, went third before 5th

16/1

Form: 311143 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Landed a hat-trick towards the end of last year (2m1f/2m3f, soft/heavy) but his momentum has faltered and he's finished held the last twice; needs something extra to come out on top today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.00
Straight Forecast £20.11
Tricast £97.63
Trifecta £90.80

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Uncle Bert

POSTDATA:

War Soldier

SPOTLIGHT:

North Parade

Daily Mirror:

Windtothelightning

The Sun:

The Four Sixes

The Guardian:

Hajey

TOPSPEED:

Uncle Bert

Telegraph:

Uncle Bert

D Express:

Uncle Bert

The Times:

War Soldier

The Star:

War Soldier

Daily Mail:

North Parade

Daily Record:

North Parade