16:10 Cheltenham

Friday 24 October 2025

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Champions: Full Gallop Streaming On ITVX Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 4m 54.26s

Don Virginia^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 128| D

3/1

Off the mark at Southwell in June and has remained in good heart, taking his form up a notch when bolting up sporting cheekpieces in 15-runner handicap at Worcester (20f, good to soft) 4 weeks ago. Yet to finish outside the first 2 under this rider so he's a must for the shortlist back in a novice.

Form: 2-21321

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Arch Empire¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 126

15/2

In good form in maidens on the Flat this season and got back on track over hurdles when second behind a well-bred, improving sort in a novice at Listowel last month, yet to be asked for effort when slithering on landing 2 out. Out of depth in Grade 3 subsequently but can feature here.

Form: 1F-2423

De Temps En Temps¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Freddie Keighley| T: M Keighley| OR: 117

22/1

Fairly useful bumper winner for Gavin Cromwell who didn't need to improve to get off the mark in this sphere in 10-runner maiden at Uttoxeter (15.8f, good to soft) earlier this month. Will need to raise his game if he's to figure in this company, however.

Form: 14-3421

Percy Shelley¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: S Bowen| T: James Owen| D

11/2

Racked up 5 consecutive seconds on the Flat before readily making a winning hurdling debut in maiden at Uttoxeter last month, his superior stamina as a stayer on the level giving him the edge on his main market rival. Walked over at Ludlow earlier in the month and remains open to improvement.

Form: 11

Dalston Lad²²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

11/8

Won sole start in Irish points and successful on first 2 starts under Rules, making all in bumpers at Ayr and Aintree. Made no impact in a much tougher race when well beaten in the Champion Bumper but he warrants respect on return/hurdling debut for leading connections.

Form: 1/110-

Etna Bianco²⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| BF

14/1

£140,000 after winning his sole start in Irish points (Oct 2024) and offered plenty to work on when third of 8 in bumper at Kempton (16f, soft) 8 months ago. Several of this yard's runner have shaped as if needing their autumn comeback so probably best to look elsewhere on hurdling debut.

Form: 13-

Leader Crik¹⁶⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

10/1

€60,000 3-y-o, £160,000 4-y-o, Beaumec De Houelle gelding. Dam unraced half-sister to fairly useful hurdler/very smart chaser (stayed 19f) Oh Crick and smart hurdler/useful chaser (stayed 21f) Othermix. Runner-up sole start in Irish points (May 2025) and the market can guide expectations.

Form: 2

Non-Runners

Sporting Glance¹⁷

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: C Collins J: Danny Gilligan

Forecasts

Dalston Lad (11/8), Don Virginia (3/1), Percy Shelley (11/2), Arch Empire (15/2), Leader Crik (10/1), Sporting Glance (10/1), Etna Bianco (14/1), De Temps En Temps (22/1)

Plenty worth considering but preference is for PERCY SHELLEY, who looked a useful prospect when making a winning hurdling debut at Uttoxeter last month and he's since walked over at Ludlow. He can maintain an unbeaten start in this sphere at the expense of Don Virginia, who bolted up in a Worcester handicap 4 weeks ago and now returns to novice company. Dalston Lad completes the shortlist on return/hurdling bow for the Skeltons.