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

2

10th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

18:10 Warwick

Doyen Quest

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Useful hurdler who looked as good as ever when scoring by over 5l here (3m1f, good) last month; will be fine over today's shorter trip and appears to have been found a simple task on his chasing debut.

1/20

1st

2

10th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

18:10 Warwick

Doyen Quest

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Useful hurdler who looked as good as ever when scoring by over 5l here (3m1f, good) last month; will be fine over today's shorter trip and appears to have been found a simple task on his chasing debut.

1/20

2

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Doyen Quest

11st 8lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Productive spell last year featured two wins at Cheltenham; well beaten there the last twice, continuing his regression in 2025; needs a big turnaround.

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

8th

6

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Gowel Road

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

9yo front-runner who has been better than ever and admirably consistent here this term (on ground ranging from good through to soft), going close behind Lucky Place in the 2m4f Relkeel Hurdle before winning Grade 2 Cleeve over today's C&D; however, he has something to find in this company.

25/1

1st

7

25th Jan 2025

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Gowel Road

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Can make the running and acts on soft; second at Cheltenham on all four starts this term, in 3m handicaps first three occasions and a 2m4f Grade 2 on latest; that's career-best form, which does not put him top of the ratings in this but he looks sure to be seriously involved.

7/2

1st

7

25th Jan 2025

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Gowel Road

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Can make the running and acts on soft; second at Cheltenham on all four starts this term, in 3m handicaps first three occasions and a 2m4f Grade 2 on latest; that's career-best form, which does not put him top of the ratings in this but he looks sure to be seriously involved.

7/2

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

7

26th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 72y

18:30 Ballinrobe

Noble Birth

11st 6lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Made all to gain first chase win in a Fairyhouse novice (2m6f, soft) in January; well-beaten sole start since in the Irish Grand National; form figures of 321 at this venue over hurdles; could go well back at a track he likes.

20/1

7

26th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 72y

18:30 Ballinrobe

Noble Birth

11st 6lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Made all to gain first chase win in a Fairyhouse novice (2m6f, soft) in January; well-beaten sole start since in the Irish Grand National; form figures of 321 at this venue over hurdles; could go well back at a track he likes.

20/1

11th

30

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 5f 37y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Noble Birth

10st 4lb

J: Daniel King

T: Gavin Cromwell

Winning hurdler for Gordon Elliott and Eric McNamara; respectable never-nearer third in Cork handicap chase last October on first run for Gavin Cromwell; placed over hurdles at Cheltenham in November; made almost all for 2m6f novice chase win on soft ground at this venue in January.

25/1

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

1st

16

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

14:30 Punchestown

Thanksforthehelp

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: David Pipe

Missed most of last season but signs he's on his way back in handicap hurdles either side of Christmas; however, his very best form is over further than this; off 102 days.

40/1

1st

16

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

14:30 Punchestown

Thanksforthehelp

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: David Pipe

Missed most of last season but signs he's on his way back in handicap hurdles either side of Christmas; however, his very best form is over further than this; off 102 days.

40/1

3rd

4

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 5f 50y

Class 4

13:20 Haydock

Thanksforthehelp

11st 11lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

prominent, lost position when short of room after 4 out, rallied and pressed leaders before 3 out, outpaced run-in

8/1

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

1st

20

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Deep Cave

11st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Ex-Irish and ex-French; best effort for new yard when fourth of 12 to Titan Discovery at Windsor (3m, soft) in January but he needs to shrug off a lesser run at Sandown since.

40/1

1st

20

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Deep Cave

11st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Ex-Irish and ex-French; best effort for new yard when fourth of 12 to Titan Discovery at Windsor (3m, soft) in January but he needs to shrug off a lesser run at Sandown since.

40/1

6th

6

1st Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:07 Sandown

Deep Cave

10st 13lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Ex-Irish and ex-French; four runs for new stable, confirming he stays 3m with a bold show at Windsor (soft) 13 days ago but three rivals went past him late on; vulnerable again unless he finds a bit extra.

9/1

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

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

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

6th

2

16th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Zeeband

11st 11lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

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.

12/1

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

4

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Emailandy

11st 6lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

towards rear, lost touch 4 out

20/1

+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