October 24 / 13.50 Cheltenham

13.50

Good

Holland Cooper ‘Chasing Excellence’ Novices’ Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £21784
  • 1m 7f 199y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
ITV
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Holland Cooper ‘Chasing Excellence’ Novices’ Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly sunny

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 2125-1 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso (2m, good to soft) in March and made all from Country Mile in three-runner beginners' chase at Uttoxeter (2m, good) recently on first chase start; now 5lb worse off with the runner-up for about 4l; could have more to offer over fences and one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

Alnilam

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Front-runner who made it 2-2 over fences when winning at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) in October; however, his limitations seem to have been exposed since and he finished well adrift of No Questions Asked and Be Aware at Windsor last time; has had wind surgery but still hard to recommend.

33/1

3rd

1

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 37y

Class 1

13:50 Windsor

Alnilam

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Front-runner who made it 2-2 over fences when winning at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) in October; won on soft ground over hurdles; carries a 3lb penalty today and his progress has stalled on his last two starts, but he's made mistakes each time and could make a bold bid if cutting out the blunders.

9/1

7/1

  • Place: £4.10

Form: 04-F51 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Third of six in Grade 2 novice hurdle at Punchestown (2m1f, soft) in January and tapped back into that promise to win on recent chase debut at Fairyhouse (2m, yielding); others have more substance to their form and King Of Kingsfield looks the yard's chief hope, but this point winner could have more to offer over fences and is not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Relieved Of Duties

11st 5lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Found things too demanding in the Grand Annual, and has been campaigned ambitiously overall since a Fairyhouse beginners' win last October; will be more at home in this company.

12/1

13th

18

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Relieved Of Duties

10st 9lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Won on chase debut at Fairyhouse (2m, yielding) in October and very creditable second in quality novice over this C&D (good to soft) 13 days later; well beaten both starts since but they have been on testing ground; could bounce back and play a leading role now he's back on a better surface.

11/1

Form: 1215-2 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Point runner-up and bumper winner who won two novice hurdles last season (2m/2m1f, good to soft), including here, and also ran well on soft ground; beaten just under 4l by Alnilam when second of three on his recent chase and seasonal debut at Uttoxeter (2m, good) but he's 5lb better off with the winner today and could improve for that latest run; firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

24th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 199y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Country Mile

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Point runner-up and bumper winner who won two novice hurdles last season (2m/2m1f, good to soft), including here, and also ran well on soft ground; beaten just under 4l by Alnilam when second of three on his recent chase and seasonal debut at Uttoxeter (2m, good) but he's 5lb better off with the winner today and could improve for that latest run; firmly in calculations.

5/2

1

27th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 3

12:00 Chepstow

Country Mile

11st 10lb

T: Dan Skelton

1

27th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 3

12:00 Chepstow

Country Mile

11st 10lb

T: Dan Skelton

Form: -00321 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Soft-ground maiden hurdle winner who has improved with each of his three runs over fences and won at Sligo (2m1f, good to yielding) this month; he has something to find today but this 6yo is worth a second look given his respected Irish trainer has won the last two runnings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

11

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Addragoole

10st 11lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Gavin Cromwell

Stamina to prove and he failed to threaten when ninth in the Grand Annual last month; however, Cheltenham may not be his track (also not at his best there last October) and he showed improved form to win a competitive handicap at Leopardstown (2m1f, yielding) in December; only seven and there have been hints that this sort of trip may suit; no surprise to see him go well.

25/1

9th

7

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Addragoole

11st 4lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Switched to fences last August and he's been progressive, winning a competitive handicap at Leopardstown (2m1f, yielding) in December and solid third of 14 there (2m1f, soft) last month; today's likely return to better ground could be a plus and this 7yo remains open to further improvement; chance.

12/1

3rd

3

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 0y

16:05 Leopardstown

Addragoole

11st 7lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Gavin Cromwell

1-10 over hurdles; already a much better chaser; won 2m2f Sligo beginners' event in October; struggled at Cheltenham later that month; slotted into handicap company effectively with a C&D win at Christmas at a time when the stable was generally struggling for form; can continue to improve; Thyestes-winning rider takes the sting out of 10lb rise.

8/1

Form: 251-51

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Point and two-time hurdle winner (2m2f, soft/good) who won on her chase debut in a mares' novice at Listowel (2m3f, yielding) last month; she looked better than ever on that latest start and is open to further improvement in this sphere, but it's needed against some very talented males.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

14:30 Punchestown

Cloonainra

11st 9lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

Has done most of her racing over fences since a creditable fifth behind Thanksforthehelp in this race last season; led at the last then, faded in the closing stages; chase form disappointing since Listowel festival win.

20/1

4th

6

17th Mar 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 86y

16:13 Down Royal

Cloonainra

11st 1lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

117 rated hurdler has achieved the same rating over fences; 1-3 in this sphere, the win coming over 19.5f (yielding) at Listowel in a mares' novice; heavy defeats thrice since (two over fences); cheekpieces now tried.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 111121 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Highly progressive over fences, making it five handicap wins for the campaign (2m, good/good to soft) when making all in three-runner race at Newton Abbot last time; further progress is possible but necessary in this warm contest; can jump to the right.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:30 Newton Abbot

Centara

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Highly progressive over fences in the first half of last season, winning here four times (2m, good to soft/good); 2m5f here appeared to stretch him last month following some time off; has a lower mark to work with back over hurdles and he could play a leading role back down in trip.

7/2

6th

4

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

13:45 Newton Abbot

Centara

11st 5lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Highly progressive over fences last summer, winning five handicaps (four here) at around 2m on ground no worse than good to soft, though he ended the campaign pulled up at Cheltenham; has since had a second wind op and could find more at this longer trip (2m3f hurdle winner), which will be needed off this mark following a break.

11/2

1

24th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 199y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Centara

11st 12lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Highly progressive over fences, making it five handicap wins for the campaign (2m, good/good to soft) when making all in three-runner race at Newton Abbot last time; further progress is possible but necessary in this warm contest; can jump to the right.

16/1

Form: 4-1131 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row this summer when back over fences (2m2f/2m1f, good) and landed a Grade 3 novice at Punchestown (2m2f, good to yielding) last week; seems versatile ground-wise and he's a key player today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

King Of Kingsfield

11st 7lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Won three of first five races over fences, including a Grade 3 novice at Punchestown (2m2f, good to yielding) in October, but has made mistakes and run poorly at Cheltenham and Newbury since; perhaps he'll be revived by a break and cheekpieces, but he has plenty to find on the figures.

40/1

2

24th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 199y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

King Of Kingsfield

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Won two in a row this summer when back over fences (2m2f/2m1f, good) and landed a Grade 3 novice at Punchestown (2m2f, good to yielding) last week; seems versatile ground-wise and he's a key player today.

9/4

1st

1

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 75y

15:35 Punchestown

King Of Kingsfield

11st 5lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

2-4 over fences; sent back over hurdles to run in two Grade 1 races last season after a surprise defeat inflicted by stablemate Down Memory Lane at Navan; beat the well-fancied My Great Mate at Galway and followed up at odds-on Ballinrobe; failed to concede weight to the useful Westport Cove at Tipperary; faces nothing of that calibre now.

5/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £24.30
Straight Forecast £27.49
Trifecta £77.30

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Alnilam

SPOTLIGHT:

Country Mile

The Times:

King Of Kingsfield

TOPSPEED:

Centara

Daily Record:

Relieved Of Duties

Telegraph:

Country Mile

Daily Mail:

Country Mile

WEST COUNTRY:

Centara

D Express:

King Of Kingsfield

POSTDATA:

Alnilam

The Guardian:

Alnilam

Daily Mirror:

Alnilam

The Star:

Alnilam