17:00 Cheltenham

Wednesday 16 April 2025

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

Cheltenham Pony Racing Authority Graduates Handicap Hurdle (Conditionals/Amateurs)

Off time: 17:01 | Winning time: 4m 5.99s

Casa No Mento⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Finn Lambert⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 134| D

9/1

Developed into a useful hurdler, winning 4 times, and easily opened her account at the second attempt over fences at Bangor (17.4f, heavy) in February. Much more on her plate back hurdling in this big-field handicap but she's not without each-way hope.

Form: 11-P441

Williethebuilder³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 126| BF

9/1

Doubled his tally over hurdles when scoring at Wetherby (2m, good) in November. Well held all 3 subsequent starts, including on chase debut at Hereford last month, but he's edging back down the weights and will be a threat if able to bounce back.

Form: 6-21P94

Norman Fletcher³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: James Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 125| D

15/2

Useful type who was a good second on his reappearance here (Old course) in October before scoring in decisive fashion at Huntingdon (15.8f, good). However, it's been a struggle since and he was beaten a fair way when mid-field in this off a 3 lb lower mark 12 months ago.

Form: 213P90

Arclight¹³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Freddie Gordon⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 124| D

22/1

Fair winning juvenile hurdler who immediately proved herself a much better chaser, winning first 3 starts over fences at the end of 2023. Hasn't shown much in 2 runs so far this season, latterly back hurdling at Ludlow, but the handicapper has shown mercy and booking of Freddie Gordon is a plus.

Form: 111P-P9

Ballywilliam Boy^t1,b²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Miss Gina Andrews| T: G & J Moore| OR: 123

33/1

Added another placing to his record when second of 8 in handicap hurdle at Listowel (2½m, soft) in September on final start for Michael Hourigan. No show back from a break on yard debut last month but blinkers back on now (also sports first-time tongue strap) and this run should be more revealing.

Form: 822329

Liverpool Knight¹²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr Ben Sutton⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 120| D

14/1

Three-time winner for Olly Murphy in 2023 and, though safely held on debut for this yard on return in October, he has subsequently performed with credit in handicaps at around 19f at Wetherby and Taunton. Dropping back in trip no bad thing and he's a player for last year's winning stable.

Form: 443823

Castel Gandolfo^t¹⁷³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Fern O'Brien⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 120| D

25/1

Sixth of 18 in this race last year before going on to land the valuable Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen in July. Below par next 3 starts, though, and he usually needs his first run back following a break, so this is probably not the day to lend him support.

Form: 831679

King William Rufus³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 119

7/2

Likeable front-runner who put an end to a frustrating run of seconds when the dominant winner of what had looked a competitive race at Ascot (2m, good to soft) in December. Ran well for a long way in the Imperial Cup last month and possibilities now in calmer waters off a 2 lb lower mark.

Form: 221660

Way Out²²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Luke Scott⁽³⁾| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 119

50/1

Three-time winner over hurdles who initially upped his game switched to fences, second in beginners' event at Warwick last spring. However, it would be fair to say that things haven't gone to plan since (well held back hurdling the last twice) and he's opposable back from a 7-month absence.

Form: 2UU205

Big Boy Bobby⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: A King| OR: 119

7/1

Fairly useful on the Flat and promising start to hurdles career in 2022. Stood little racing since but seemingly as good as ever in 2 starts since returning from a lengthy absence in December, runner-up in handicaps at Kempton and Newcastle, and a bold show is on the cards here.

Form: 12P8/22

Ashington^v²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Tom Midgley⁽³⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 119| D

25/1

Successful twice in 2024 and back on the scoresheet with cheekpieces refitted at Doncaster (20.8f, good) last month. By no means disgraced in a competitive Class 2 Kelso handicap next time and possibilities here with the visor refitted.

Form: 178615

Game Colours^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Freddie Gingell| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 116

11/2

Improved performer since undergoing a wind op, off the mark in a 2m mares' novice on penultimate start and subsequent third in a valuable Kelso handicap (16.2f, soft) was no backward step. One to consider off the same mark here with Freddie Gingell aboard.

Form: 3-22313

Continuance^h³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Freddie Keighley⁽¹⁰⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 122| D

8/1

Flat winner who struck at first time of asking over hurdles at Sedgefield (16.8f, good to soft) in October. Failed to complete next 2 starts but back on track with decisive handicap victories at Ludlow and Fontwell and this progressive 4-y-o merits respect, for all that this will be much tougher.

Form: 1PR11

Lunar Sovereign^t³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Bruce Lynn| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 114| D

22/1

Lightly-raced since finishing fourth in the 2023 running of the Swinton Hurdle and clearly retains ability judged on reappearance third to Continuance at Fontwell (beaten 7¾ lengths by the winner) where he was making his debut for this yard. Couldn't be sure that he'll build on that, though.

Form: 463-533

Lively Citizen²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: Mrs Izzie Hill⁽⁷⁾| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 113| CD

16/1

Dual winner of handicap hurdles here during 2020/21 and successful 4 times since, most recently over fences at Ayr (16.5f, soft) in January. Respectable efforts in defeat since (also over fences) but will do well to better his fourth-placed finish in the 2023 renewal of this race.

Form: P97143

Mary¹²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Toby Wynne| T: Ian Williams| OR: 108

16/1

Off the mark in big-field Stratford handicap hurdles last year and would've made a winning chase debut at Worcester in September but for falling at the final fence. Again failed to complete over the larger obstacles on latest start in December and looks vulnerable back hurdling following a break.

Form: 12F23F

Forecasts

King William Rufus (7/2), Game Colours (11/2), Big Boy Bobby (7/1), Norman Fletcher (15/2), Continuance (8/1), Williethebuilder (9/1), Casa No Mento (9/1), Liverpool Knight (14/1), Lively Citizen (16/1), Mary (16/1), Lunar Sovereign (22/1), Arclight (22/1), Castel Gandolfo (25/1), Ashington (25/1), Ballywilliam Boy (33/1), Way Out (50/1)

The pick of several viable candidates could be BIG BOY BOBBY, who has returned from a lengthy absence with a couple of solid efforts in defeat and the drying ground here is a plus. Liverpool Knight looks a big threat for last year's winning yard, while King William Rufus could have a say now back in calmer waters and the progressive pair Continuance and Game Over are others to consider. Arclight also needs a mention, as she would be a serious player off this reduced mark if able to bounce back.