October 26 / 15.30 Cheltenham

15.30

Good

Masterson Holdings Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £16338
  • 2m 0f 87y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
ITV
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Masterson Holdings Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

Form: 11-2 D

Last run: 175 days

W: 11st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Started off for Gavin Cromwell with two slow-ground Graded wins towards the end of last season and was a very creditable second in Punchestown festival Grade 1 (2m, soft) in May on latest outing; will be a very tough nut to crack if he handles the quicker ground here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(5)

2nd Nov 2025

Heavy

2m 0f 71y

14:30 Curragh

Bottlersecret

9st 9lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Aidan Melia

Dual Flat winner and useful hurdler but has a lot to find on form with most of these rivals.

66/1

6th

1

(5)

2nd Nov 2025

Heavy

2m 0f 71y

14:30 Curragh

Bottlersecret

9st 9lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Aidan Melia

Dual Flat winner and useful hurdler but has a lot to find on form with most of these rivals.

66/1

OUR TIP

Form: 21488- C

Last run: 182 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Second in C&D Grade 2 (soft) on stable debut last November and beat Balboa to go one better on New course here (2m1f, soft) the following month; however, not quite at same level on his three starts after the turn of the year and will need to be back in prime form to have any chance today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:07 Fakenham

An Bradan Feasa

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Jack Jones

Won twice over hurdles (2m/2m4f, good) and twice on the Flat in 2025; looked as good as ever when second on the Flat this month, after a break, and is respected, albeit the nagging concern is that he ran poorly on his only previous visit to Fakenham.

9/4

2nd

3

(3)

12th May 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

17:15 Lingfield (AW)

An Bradan Feasa

9st 12lb

J: Alice Bond

T: Jack Jones

Scored twice over hurdles last autumn and he notched another success in 2m Chelmsford handicap in November; off since but yard is going well so he can't be discounted.

2/1

Form: 3P42-2 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in juvenile handicap at the Festival here in March but has otherwise been very consistent over hurdles; 9l adrift of Dodger Long when second in recent Chepstow handicap (2m, good to soft) and only 3lb better off today, but not ruled out each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

20:20 Hexham

Balboa

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Seamus Mullins

Made the most of a reduced mark when justifying support and gaining a first win since 2023 when scoring at Ayr (2m4f, soft) last month; remains well treated on past form back up 6lb and likely to be in the mix again.

11/2

1st

8

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

17:15 Ayr

Balboa

11st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Seamus Mullins

Without a win since 2023 but he has dropped to a dangerous mark and ran surprisingly well over 3m last time at Wincanton when all his form is over shorter; goes on soft.

12/1

3rd

9

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

14:45 Wincanton

Balboa

11st 9lb

J: Mr Paddy Barlow

T: Seamus Mullins

Remote when third at Newbury (2m4f, soft) last month and remains winless since 2023; however, the form of his keeping-on fourth at Taunton (2m3f, good) two starts ago has worked out well and he's too well handicapped to be ruled out on this first attempt at a staying trip.

12/1

Form: 1-2211 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Drew nicely clear of Balboa to make winning handicap debut at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) this month and is now 3-6 over hurdles; that form already puts him in the premises in this and he may still have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

9th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 1

14:30 Exeter

Dodger Long

11st 5lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Harriet Dickin

Made it two wins in a row when scoring on handicap debut at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) in October and improved form in defeat the next twice, most recently third in 4yo Grade 3 at Fairyhouse (2m, yielding) in November; others may have greater potential but he might not be far away.

13/2

2

9th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 1

14:30 Exeter

Dodger Long

11st 5lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Harriet Dickin

held up in last but in touch with leaders, going okay when stumbled badly and lost action 3 out, soon pulled up

13/2

3rd

4

30th Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:55 Fairyhouse

Dodger Long

11st 3lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Harriet Dickin

Drew nicely clear to make winning handicap debut at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last month; took a giant leap forward when splitting Givemefive and Bottler'secret at Cheltenham; had the fitness edge that day but is worth his place in the field.

15/2

Form: 1124- D

Last run: 208 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Won two juvenile hurdles before going close in Grade 2 Adonis at Kempton (2m, soft) in February; not quite in the same form when fourth to Bottler'secret at Fairyhouse in April but returned from a break with a pleasing Flat run last month and is versatile ground-wise; likely contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:35 Haydock

Givemefive

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has won both races since the tongue-tie joined cheekpieces, latterly making all for a narrow success over C&D three weeks ago (good); a 5lb rise isn't the end of the world but dominating this bigger field with likely pressure up front could be challenging.

10/1

4th

1

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:35 Haydock

Givemefive

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has won both races since the tongue-tie joined cheekpieces, latterly making all for a narrow success over C&D three weeks ago (good); a 5lb rise isn't the end of the world but dominating this bigger field with likely pressure up front could be challenging.

10/1

1st

1

19th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 2

14:05 Haydock

Givemefive

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Posted personal best in first-time tongue-strap five weeks ago, making all in four-runner race at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft); that was his fourth hurdles win, and with more improvement possible he should go well again.

9/4

Form: 21P2-6 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won twice over hurdles for Syd Hosie last season and creditable second in a competitive series final at Musselburgh (2m1f, soft) in April; back with Anthony Charlton now and shaped quite well when sixth behind Dodger Long at Chepstow this month but is not favoured by today's weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 3

15:30 Hereford

Latin Verse

11st 0lb

J: Joshua Bryan

T: Olly Murphy

Has patchy profile but he's feasibly treated on best form and was disputing second when he fell at the last at Taunton (2m, soft) in final run last season; returns after almost a year off but conditions are no problem and he needs a close look on first run for Olly Murphy.

7/2

5

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:55 Taunton

Latin Verse

11st 12lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Anthony Charlton

prominent, pressed leader 3 out

16/1

5

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:55 Taunton

Latin Verse

11st 12lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Anthony Charlton

prominent, pressed leader 3 out

16/1

Form: 32111- D

Last run: 216 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Won on the Flat in France last September and is 3-5 over hurdles in Britain; kept on resolutely to win valuable juvenile handicap at Ascot (1m7f, good) in March on latest outing and may still have potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

4th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 2

17:13 Fakenham

Royal Way

11st 6lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won comfortably off reduced mark at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in March and has also performed well on both outings since, more recently when fourth at Sandown (2m4f, good) nine days ago; ran poorly on only previous visit to Fakenham but still enters calculations.

12/1

4th

15

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Royal Way

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Exploited reduced mark when winning quite comfortably at Ludlow last month and was one of two to pull clear of the others when second at Ascot (also 2m5f, good) ten days later; no surprise if he features.

10/1

2nd

7

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 146y

Class 3

17:25 Ascot

Royal Way

10st 13lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won sole start here; two years without a win after that but, with tongue-tie removed and second-time cheekpieces, he then obliged comfortably at Ludlow (2m5f, good) ten days ago; back up 6lb but has returned to serious calculations.

4/1

Form: 6211 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Fair Flat racer who is 2-4 over hurdles after a winning handicap debut against own sex at Punchestown (2m, good to yielding) ten days ago; needs further improvement in this stronger race but trainer's British runners are always worth a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

27th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

16:42 Wexford

Hasten Slowly

11st 8lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

Two of her three wins over hurdles have come at Tramore; however, she was a long way below her best in a similar race to this at that course last month; that run was prefaced by weak form at Dundalk during the winter.

4/1

6th

5

20th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 80y

16:10 Tramore

Hasten Slowly

11st 8lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Two of her three wins over hurdles have come over C&D including her last score in August; well below her best on AW last three runs but respected back over flights here; best form is on good ground, though.

4/1

8th

11

(14)

13th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

18:00 Dundalk (AW)

Hasten Slowly

9st 5lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: John C McConnell

Won over hurdles last August; quite a while since she showed her best form on the Flat; down the field in the race won by Aingeal Dorcha three weeks ago.

20/1

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bottler'secret

POSTDATA:

Givemefive

WEST COUNTRY:

Dodger Long

TOPSPEED:

Latin Verse

The Star:

Dodger Long

RP RATINGS:

Bottler'secret

The Times:

Bottler'secret

Telegraph:

Bottler'secret

The Guardian:

Bottler'secret

Daily Mail:

Bottler'secret

Daily Mirror:

Bottler'secret

The Sun:

Bottler'secret

Daily Record:

Bottler'secret

LAMBOURN:

Givemefive

D Express:

Givemefive