13:30 Cheltenham

Wednesday 16 April 2025

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Citipost Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 5m 5.5600000000000005s

Jax Junior^t1³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| OR: 135

2/1

Much improved after breathing surgery, making all in novices at Doncaster and Ascot either side of Christmas. Advanced his form when third in listed hurdle at Huntingdon in February but didn't get home stepped up in trip in Albert Bartlett at the Festival last month. Tongue tie applied.

Form: 3-7113P

Laganhill⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: H D Daly| OR: 125

13/2

Took some time to make it to the track but looked a good prospect when winning 2m novice hurdles at Haydock and Bangor on his first 2 starts. However, found the step up in grade/less testing ground than previously a shock to the system at Kelso last time but quickly returned to calmer waters.

Form: 117

Dr Eggman²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 135

3/1

Showed the benefit of his reappearance run as he finally got off the mark over hurdles in 17-runner maiden at Limerick (19f, soft) last month. Reliable sort and obvious claims for title-chasing yard who also are represented by Toad Hall.

Form: 2243-21

Toad Hall¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 129

9/4

Runner-up only start in bumpers in 2023 and highly encouraging run back from 2 years off when filling same spot in maiden hurdle at Punchestown in February. Duly went one better in straightforward fashion in maiden at Downpatrick (21.8f, good to soft) recently and open to further improvement.

Form: 2/21

Block Rockin Beats^p1⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: O Signy| C

14/1

Bright start under Rules when landing a course bumper in October and duly built on that when runner-up in a listed event here next time. Subsequently ran to a fair level on hurdles debut at Ascot but tailed off in listed event at Huntingdon just under 10 weeks ago. Faces another stiff task.

Form: 61-1246

Jacques Clouseau^t⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley| D

50/1

Won sole start in points in April 2024 and showing promise in fifth when fell last on his hurdling bow in 2m5f Warwick maiden in December. Tongue tie applied and again showed promise when fifth at Wetherby subsequently and looks to be being brought along gradually (will make a chaser).

Form: 1-F5

The Long Walk⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill

40/1

Fair form shown in bumpers and just about matched that given quite a considerate introduction when third of 10 in novice at Fontwell (17.7f, good to soft) on hurdles debut just under 6 weeks ago. Entitled to take a step forward from that.

Form: 3263

Non-Runners

Pleasington³⁸

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: O Murphy J: S Bowen

Groovy Blue³¹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: B Pauling J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Jax Junior (2/1), Toad Hall (9/4), Dr Eggman (3/1), Laganhill (13/2), Pleasington (8/1), Block Rockin Beats (14/1), Groovy Blue (14/1), The Long Walk (40/1), Jacques Clouseau (50/1)

Title-chasing Willie Mullins looks to hold all the aces in the opener and DR EGGMAN gets the verdict to supplement his recent Limerick success at the expense of stablemate Toad Hall, who confirmed the promise of his hurdling debut in straightforward fashion at Downpatrick last month and is open to further progress. Pleasington was a disappointing rare runner in Ireland for Olly Murphy last month but can get back on track now stepping up to 2½m.