April 17 / 13.30 Cheltenham

13.30

Good To Soft

Citipost Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10892
  • 2m 4f 56y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
RTV
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Citipost Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.84
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 21-1 CD

Last run: 107 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a soft-ground bumper on rules debut in 2022 and returned from absence to make winning stable/hurdle debut over C&D (heavy) on New Year's Day; encounters faster ground today but that form has worked out well (runner-up won last month's EBF Final); leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

2

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:47 Cartmel

Peaky Boy

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Unraced over hurdles since winning Cheltenham novice in 2024 but recent 2m7f/3m chase form has been very respectable and he's edging down the weights; swaps cheekpieces for first-time blinkers; could have a say.

12/1

6th

6

28th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

15:27 Uttoxeter

Peaky Boy

10st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Steadily coming back to form since joining current stable, as a couple of third-place finishes this season attest; was a useful/progressive sort earlier in career and looks interesting off a reduced mark, assuming his resurgence is sustained.

14/1

3rd

1

11th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:40 Worcester

Peaky Boy

12st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Disappointing for new stable last season but appreciated the ease in grade when respectable third of six in quite valuable contest at Uttoxeter (3m, good) last month and won't mind what the weather does here; contender if able to build on that recent effort.

13/2

OUR TIP

6/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 1-214

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Won by 13l on last season's bumper debut and built upon promising hurdling debut when scoring at Warwick (2m3f, soft) in January; didn't really fire when last of four in subsequent Huntingdon Listed race but remains a good prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:10 Exeter

Diamond Ri

12st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Promising novice hurdler but no sign of that form since returning from an absence; had wind surgery and a tongue-tie is added, but very risky.

20/1

1

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:02 Wincanton

Diamond Ri

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

His novice hurdle form reads well but he went absent for 590 days and has shown very little since returning, albeit in just two races; cheekpieces tried.

25/1

2nd

1

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

13:30 Cheltenham

Diamond Ri

11st 10lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Won by 13l on last season's bumper debut and built upon promising hurdling debut when scoring at Warwick (2m3f, soft) in January; didn't really fire when last of four in subsequent Huntingdon Listed race but remains a good prospect.

6/1

Form: 31184

Last run: 80 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual bumper winner on good ground last year and made very encouraging hurdle debut when fourth of 11 at Doncaster (2m3f, good) in January; can win races in this sphere soon but has been set a tough task today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

17th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Worcester

Minella Rescue

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gary Hanmer

Well beaten on all four starts this year, the latest over 2m7f at Uttoxeter last month (race he won in 2025); dips into a much less competitive event here, though, and the booking of Sean Bowen catches the eye.

9/2

7th

2

16th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

18:50 Uttoxeter

Minella Rescue

11st 9lb

J: James Davies

T: Gary Hanmer

Won this race off this mark in 2025 (good; 2-1 favourite) having run poorly on his previous start; was rather disappointing later on last season and has a bit to prove at present.

14/1

14th

7

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Minella Rescue

11st 3lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Gary Hanmer

Second in the C&D Grade 1 novice at this meeting last year; went on to finish first and second in handicaps over the extended 2m7f at Uttoxeter at the start of the summer but well below par both starts since a break, latterly at the Cheltenham Festival; combination of first-time cheekpieces and a return to this C&D needs to spark a revival.

40/1

Form: 261 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Bought for £250,000 after last year's impressive Irish point debut and came good over hurdles at third attempt, making all for clearcut success in Doncaster maiden (2m3f, soft) in February; needs to progress again but has considerable potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Leader In The Park

10st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Ben Pauling

Hasn't raced over 3m since winning his Irish point; probably a career best when second over 2m6f at Newbury on reappearance (good to soft) but couldn't live with Lookaway when both got competiitve a good way out over 2m4f here last month; regular partner Ben Jones prefers Henry's Friend but Harry Cobden's style could suit this 8yo.

12/1

6th

8

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:15 Ayr

Leader In The Park

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Made all at Kempton (2m4f, good) in December on second chase start and followed up at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft); only third of five at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) since but that was still a fair run and this unexposed 7yo remains of interest, especially with the Warwick form reading well.

6/1

6th

8

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:15 Ayr

Leader In The Park

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Made all at Kempton (2m4f, good) in December on second chase start and followed up at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft); only third of five at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) since but that was still a fair run and this unexposed 7yo remains of interest, especially with the Warwick form reading well.

6/1

Form: 51 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Managed only fifth when warm favourite for Huntingdon bumper in February but improved to win comfortably by over 7l there (2m4f, soft) on last month's hurdling debut; no surprise if he features here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

14:05 Taunton

Shy Love

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Lightly raced 6yo who showed promise in Irish point in 2023 and won over hurdles last season; interesting on handicap/chase debut, with Carlisle reappearance under his belt.

7/1

7th

3

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

14:05 Taunton

Shy Love

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Lightly raced 6yo who showed promise in Irish point in 2023 and won over hurdles last season; interesting on handicap/chase debut, with Carlisle reappearance under his belt.

7/1

4th

1

3rd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 218y

Class 3

13:18 Carlisle

Shy Love

11st 6lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

led, headed and raced in second after 2nd, lost second just before 3 out, not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, no extra and lost third run-in

4/1

Form: /32-13 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Battled well for narrow win at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) in February on third hurdle start; last month's Uttoxeter third (2m4f, heavy) was perfectly respectable but his form is below the standard required here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 3

15:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Leading Choice

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Nicky Martin

Very lightly raced 9yo who has won a bumper and a 2m4f maiden hurdle; he was in last throughout in a three-runner novice chase last week at Newbury when returning from 13 months off; as was the case then, these terms aren't favourable.

16/1

3rd

2

17th Feb 2026

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

14:15 Newbury

Leading Choice

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Nicky Martin

Bumper and 2m4f maiden hurdle winner; very lightly raced 9yo who seems to enjoy the mud but has a long absence to overcome on his chasing debut and he's the lowest rated of these by some margin.

25/1

9th

6

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 5f 50y

Class 4

13:20 Haydock

Leading Choice

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Nicky Martin

Bumper and 2m4f maiden winner, whose best form in light career was registered on heavy; never dangerous when well beaten on seasonal/handicap debut (2m4f, heavy) early last month, whereas he won last season when returning from a much longer break.

14/1

Form: 1

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-3 on the Flat in Slovakia last year but caused 25-1 surprise when winning by 14l on last month's stable/hurdle debut at Stratford (2m2f, heavy); very unexposed in this sphere but tackles much strong opposition today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

10th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Roger

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Richard Hobson

prominent

10/1

8

10th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Roger

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Richard Hobson

prominent

10/1

6th

4

6th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Kempton

Roger

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Richard Hobson

led, set good pace, jumped left 4th, soon headed, weakened gradually after 5th, tailed off

16/1

Non-runners

Encanto Bruno, Myretown

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.10
Straight Forecast £7.08
Trifecta £103.40

Selections

LAMBOURN:

Peaky Boy

SPOTLIGHT:

Encanto Bruno

TOPSPEED:

Roger

WEST COUNTRY:

Diamond Ri

RP RATINGS:

Encanto Bruno

POSTDATA:

Encanto Bruno

Daily Mail:

Encanto Bruno

The Sun:

Encanto Bruno

The Star:

Encanto Bruno

The Times:

Peaky Boy

Telegraph:

Peaky Boy

The Guardian:

Peaky Boy

D Express:

Peaky Boy

Daily Mirror:

Peaky Boy

Daily Record:

Peaky Boy