November 16 / 14.55 Cheltenham

14.55

Good

From The Horses Mouth Podcast Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 7f 208y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
ITV
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From The Horses Mouth Podcast Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

15/8 (Won)

Form: 1211-2 C BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Produced late for handicap wins over 2m and an extended 2m4f on final two starts last term, finishing strongly here (good) in the latter; second of 17 when favourite for the Silver Trophy at Chepstow (extended 2m3f, good to soft) five weeks ago was an excellent return; up 3lb but looks nailed on for further improvement this term and good chance he will stay 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:20 Sandown

Doyen Quest

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Useful novice chaser whose form features second-place finishes in 3m Grade 2 events at Sandown and Windsor; came up rather short in Grade 1 at Aintree last time but looks one of the main contenders returned to this level.

15/8

4th

2

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Doyen Quest

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Tends to lead; scored at 1-50 on his chase debut at Warwick in May and impressed when winning by 10l at Exeter (3m, also good) in November; put in his place by Salver on last two starts (good to soft/soft) but comes here fresh having skipped Cheltenham and any drying of the ground would be in his favour; could get them all at it.

14/1

2nd

3

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 1

13:20 Windsor

Doyen Quest

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Has won on soft but seems ideally suited by faster ground; record of 2-5 since switched to chasing includes a Class 2 win at Exeter (3m) on penultimate start; not disgraced at Sandown latest but was beaten 12l by Salver; 5lb pull looks insufficient in the rematch.

11/2

Form: 7346-2 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Failed to win last season but ran with credit in some competitive handicaps, including when sixth of 22 in the Pertemps Final here; resumed with a front-running second over C&D (good; Hardy Boy fourth) three weeks ago; back up 2lb but should again be on the premises.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

21th

2

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Gowel Road

11st 10lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Can front-run; Cheltenham regular, where he won a 3m Grade 2 last January; sixth in this in 2024 and ran creditably here on three of his first five starts this season, before a big run under Toby McCain-Mitchell at Chepstow 19 days ago; back up 2lb to his career-high mark but probably not far away.

28/1

2nd

1

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

Gowel Road

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Cheltenham regular, where he won a 3m Grade 2 last January from Monmiral; ran creditably there on three of his latest four starts but he's only 2lb off his career-high mark; cheekpieces (worn on last three starts) are off; 5lb claimer is recruited.

6/1

4th

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Gowel Road

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Course regular who won this last year (soft); however, today's contest looks like it will take more winning, even before factoring in the 6lb penalty he carries this time around; looks vulnerable on this season's evidence.

12/1

Form: 10-273 BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Raced freely and didn't see it out when fourth in this race last year (sole run in cheekpieces); won over hurdles in February and sent chasing on last three outings, leaving Eric McNamara before respectable never-nearer third at Cork (3m, good) latest; might build on that but needs a career best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Noble Birth

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Clare Ellam

3-24 over hurdles and 1-8 as a chaser; left Gavin Cromwell after finishing tailed off in a claiming hurdle in early March (tried blinkers); needs a revival and he's got a lot of weight.

33/1

5th

1

4th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 20y

15:52 Naas

Noble Birth

12st 0lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Three-time hurdles winner; last win in that sphere came in a C&D handicap in February 2024 (2m7f, soft); won a Fairyhouse novice chase in January last year (2m6f, soft); poor over fences this term but some okay efforts over timber; beaten 20l in fourth at Fairyhouse last time (3m, yielding); blinkers replace the cheekpieces and decent chance at this level.

9/2

Form: 1/P0-6 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
The great ease of his Chepstow win (extended 3m, good to soft) in February 2023 off just 1lb lower isn't quite forgotten, but that was a major career best and he's been right out of form in his last three outings; the good form of his stable means he needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

9

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

14:30 Punchestown

Thanksforthehelp

11st 11lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Out of luck since winning this race last year; only 3lb higher now, and has to be taken seriously; Rian Corcoran has enjoyed a successful breakthrough season in Britain and claims a useful 4lb.

8/1

9th

11

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Thanksforthehelp

11st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Has three wins over hurdles but hasn't been at his best in four runs since returning in November; is slipping down the weights and takes a drop in class so cannot be discounted; returning cheekpieces replace blinkers.

16/1

5th

14

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

15:50 Haydock

Thanksforthehelp

10st 10lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: David Pipe

Blew apart a 15-runner Pertemps qualifier at Chepstow (2m7f) in February 2023 and underlined how effective he can be in big-field races when seeing off 24 rivals in a handicap at the Punchestown festival (2m3f, yielding) last spring; hasn't come close to reproducing that form in three outings this winter but his mark has eased a little as a result; worth a second look in the betting.

25/1

Form: FF-510

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Best form as a novice (2m4f winner) for Henry de Bromhead in 2022-23 season; scored in France over fences (2m1f) last September and hurdles (2m2f) this July, but seemingly best watched for now following his muted debut for new yard here (2m4f; 50-1) three weeks ago; market may guide again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Deep Cave

11st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

3m hat-trick in 2025 started with a success over hurdles at Aintree (good) in April before two chase wins late in the year; three marked backward steps over fences since but he's well handicapped on best chase efforts.

16/1

39

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Deep Cave

10st 2lb

T: Christian Williams

Reserve; won a handicap hurdle at this meeting last year, plus over fences at Bangor in November and Ascot in December, all over about 3m; backward steps in two further useful handicap chases, which he needs to reverse in a major way, but arriving late on the scene for those wins offers some potential for going beyond 3m; 3lb out of the handicap.

100/1

10

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Deep Cave

11st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

3m hat-trick in 2025 started with a success over hurdles on this card (good) and ended with nabbing Leave Of Absence on the line in notable handicap chase at Ascot (good to soft); couple of backward steps since but a bad early error, and perhaps losing a shoe, contributed to a poor effort last time; may well rebound on a significant day in his calendar.

6/1

Form: -41192

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Usually ridden over hurdles by Jack Gilligan; won a maiden and three handicaps this year over hurdles, latterly when getting up in the final strides over 2m7f at Killarney (good) in July despite hanging left; unraced beyond that but he rallied well for an always-prominent second at Galway (2m6f) three weeks ago, again shaping as if well worth a go at 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 111y

13:25 Galway

Zeeband

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Winner of eight races (four Flat) and four over hurdles between March and June last year; rated a very respectable 136 over hurdles; pulled up before the last on his recent chase debut at Sligo, having made a bad mistake four out; beat watched for the moment.

20/1

9

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 120y

14:25 Sligo

Zeeband

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Dual Flat winner has won four over hurdles, with the last of those coming at Killarney in 2024; well beaten in a Grade 2 novice when last seen; needs to be at his best on chasing debut after a long absence.

16/1

8th

8

1st Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 110y

13:35 Fairyhouse

Zeeband

11st 4lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

soon prominent

20/1

14/1

Form: 221424 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
On the go since May (all on good ground) and competitive in his last six outings, including a win at Market Rasen; good C&D fourth last time (Gowel Road second) and he's 2lb lower today but probably too exposed to win it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:23 Market Rasen

Hardy Boy

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

C&D winner last August and his close fourth at Cheltenham three runs back was his best form yet; soft ground was no good to him on final appearance; nothing wrong with his mark.

12/1

4th

4

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:23 Market Rasen

Hardy Boy

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

C&D winner last August and his close fourth at Cheltenham three runs back was his best form yet; soft ground was no good to him on final appearance; nothing wrong with his mark.

12/1

9th

9

29th Nov 2024

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

15:40 Newbury

Hardy Boy

10st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Ready winner over 2m7f at Market Rasen in August and he ran at least as well in defeat at Cheltenham in October but he has his share of weight now and soft ground has not been helpful so far.

14/1

Form: -44621 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Ran well in two of his four handicap hurdles last term; has contested five chases since June, getting the hang of it the last twice and winning at Wetherby (3m, good) latest; 9lb higher on this return to hurdles but one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

16th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Itso Fury

10st 13lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

midfield, headway after 8th, prominent 2 out, weakened approaching last

11/1

8th

6

16th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Itso Fury

10st 13lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Ran well in two of his four handicap hurdles last term; has contested five chases since June, getting the hang of it the last twice and winning at Wetherby (3m, good) latest; 9lb higher on this return to hurdles but one to consider.

11/1

1st

3

2nd Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

16:08 Wetherby

Itso Fury

11st 13lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Well handicapped on last season's hurdling form; well beaten on first three chase starts and there's a slight doubt about his stamina today, but he took a big step in the right direction when going close at Ludlow (2m4f, good) last time and could play a leading role if seeing out the trip.

3/1

Form: 1P1-P6 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Won two handicap chases (3m/3m1f) last term but has struggled the last twice; back hurdling for the first time since April 2023, with plenty to find on hurdles form but well handicapped judged on his good days over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

14:47 Doncaster

Quick Draw

11st 3lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

prominent, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off

7/1

5th

3

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

14:47 Doncaster

Quick Draw

11st 3lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

prominent, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off

7/1

7

27th Dec 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:08 Kempton

Quick Draw

11st 12lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Best form at about 3m and very capable on his day; has won on this track but also pulled up in three of five course starts, most recently in May, and he completed in his own time on his only subsequent chase start; overall record shows he's a long way from being a punter's pal.

OUR TIP

Form: PP-14P C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Good ground suits but he's not the easiest to predict at the best of times and has run badly in both races since his chase win at Aintree (3m1f, good) in May; latest start, following a second wind operation, was at this track three weeks ago when he showed little; back hurdling today, having had two hurdle races last term (pulled up each time); hard to trust.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Captain Morgs

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Useful over hurdles and fences on his day; out of sorts since chase success last May but this is a drop back in class and mark is workable on best form.

7/1

5th

3

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Captain Morgs

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Useful over hurdles and fences on his day; out of sorts since chase success last May but this is a drop back in class and mark is workable on best form.

7/1

21

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Captain Morgs

10st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nicky Henderson

Good ground suits but he's not the easiest to predict at the best of times and has run badly in all three races since his chase win at Aintree (3m1f, good) last May; had a second wind operation before penultimate start and was back hurdling for latest; well treated on best form but the chances of his reproducing it seem to be receding.

66/1

Form: /1414- C

Last run: 365 days

W: 10st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Won over this sort of trip twice in 2021; in fine form at this track over 2m4f/2m5f last autumn but he's now been absent for exactly one year and probably needs a career best to win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

16:30 Ludlow

Pinnacle Peak

11st 7lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Far from solid judged on bare form this term, albeit had a physical excuse (found to have an irregular heartbeat) last time; this five-time hurdles scorer drops back in grade and is competitively treated provided he stages a revival.

20/1

14

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 118y

Class 3

13:15 Ascot

Pinnacle Peak

11st 2lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Well handicapped on hurdles form up to autumn 2023; had a year off before two lesser shows this term (over fences latest) and 7lb claimer is recruited.

33/1

4th

8

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 31y

Class 3

12:25 Doncaster

Pinnacle Peak

10st 9lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

in touch with leaders, steadied into midfield 2nd

16/1

Form: 22319-

Last run: 203 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Wore cheekpieces on last three starts, kicking off in March with third in the EBF Final at Sandown (2m4f, soft) and a win at Plumpton (2m4f, good); ended last term on a low note back at Sandown; however, he shapes as if 3m is well worth a go and this second-season hurdler should have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:28 Kempton

Emailandy

11st 1lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Dual hurdle winner at about 2m4f (good to soft and good) two winters ago but disappointments have come thick and fast since pulling up on his latest two runs at 3m; goes chasing with inevitable question marks.

25/1

3

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:02 Wincanton

Emailandy

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Running well in good handicaps two years ago but he's had a couple of lengthy absences in the meantime and achieved nothing in his last six races.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £8.22
Tricast £51.59

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Doyen Quest

TOPSPEED:

Gowel Road

WEST COUNTRY:

Itso Fury

Daily Record:

Noble Birth

LAMBOURN:

Quick Draw

SPOTLIGHT:

Zeeband

The Times:

Doyen Quest

Telegraph:

Doyen Quest

The Guardian:

Doyen Quest

Daily Mail:

Doyen Quest

D Express:

Doyen Quest

Daily Mirror:

Doyen Quest

The Sun:

Doyen Quest

The Star:

Doyen Quest

POSTDATA:

Gowel Road