16:00 Cheltenham

Friday 14 November 2025

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:00

Valda Energy Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:03 | Winning time: 4m 16.73s

Jack Hyde^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 122| D

11/4

Fairly useful novice last season, scoring twice at Southwell, and landed the odds at Newton Abbot on return. Has run well in Grade 2 events the last twice, beaten 2¾ lengths by Fortune de Mer when fifth of 12 here 3 weeks ago, and he could be in the mix with tongue tie back on.

Form: 114-155

Frontier Prince³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 118| D

10/1

Off the mark in bumpers at third attempt and shaped well when second on hurdling debut in May. After 5 months off, built on that promise when rallying for success in 15-runner novice at Chepstow 5 weeks ago and he's open to further improvement starting off in handicaps.

Form: 2317-21

Shade Of Winter^h²⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: Evan Williams| OR: 114| BF

6/1

Runner-up only start in bumpers and showed promise when placed at Chepstow all 3 outings over hurdles last season, clear of the rest when second in a maiden (19.4f) on final outing. Improvement required as he makes handicap debut after 9 months off.

Form: 22/322-

Quint Major²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Keith Donoghue| T: M A Molloy| OR: 113

50/1

Remains a maiden over hurdles, but fit from the Flat he returned to form when fourth of 11 in handicap at Limerick last month, faring best of those held up. However, he has work to do if he's to open his account in this contest.

Form: 96P3-04

French Emperor²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 113| D

5/1

Encouragement when third in 2m novice/maiden hurdles on first 2 starts under Rules. Lesser effort upped in trip final outing last term, but after 9 months off he got back on the up when winning at Worcester (2m) 23 days ago. Yard has won with all 4 runners so far this season.

Form: 3/337-1

Sage Green^h¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: James Best| T: S Hosie| OR: 112| D

80/1

Irish point winner who stepped forward from his bumper run when making a successful hurdling debut at Warwick in March. Ran to similar level when second the following month, before possibly needing the run sent handicapping at Ascot (19.3f) 13 days ago. This is tougher.

Form: 51512-6

The Expensive One²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 111

20/1

Half-brother to The New One and confirmed previous promise over hurdles when making all in novice handicap at Stratford (18.7f) in October. Pulled up in handicap at this course (19.9f) last time, though had a lot of use made of him and he remains with potential.

Form: 6/13-21P

Pure Gold¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Peter Kavanagh| T: Miss L Harrison| OR: 110| D

28/1

Improving mare who made it 3 wins from 4 starts when cruising clear in 5-runner handicap at Hexham in October. Looked a big threat when falling at the last at Wetherby 13 days ago, so she's not ruled out even though she'll need to jump better than last time.

Form: 41211F

Katakana^h,t²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 109| D

14/1

Had been struggling for form to start the current campaign (including over fences), but after 12 weeks off she got back on track with a ready success in 18-runner handicap hurdle at Thurles last month. Task is now to build on latest effort.

Form: 73-0691

Lucky Bere²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Jack Tudor| T: K Woollacott| OR: 109

18/1

Fair 1½m Flat winner in France and similar form in 4 juvenile hurdles last season. After 8 months off (had wind op), ran well when a strong-finishing third in a Worcester handicap 23 days ago, beaten 2¾ lengths by French Emperor, and he can give another good account.

Form: 2233-3

Bruant²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: A J Martin| OR: 108

22/1

Fairly useful on the Flat in France and left first 2 efforts over hurdles behind when winning a Downpatrick novice (17.8f) in June. Hasn't made much impact on the level since, but he could yet do better back in this sphere as he goes handicapping.

Form: B8-1

Aeroplane Blonde²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Kielan Woods| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 107

28/1

Some encouragement in bumpers, though unseated at the first on hurdling debut. However, he has shown promise in 2 starts this season, conceding first run when second in a Carlisle novice (17.2f) last month. Could still have more to offer now switched to handicaps.

Form: 3/9U-42

Bobby's Fortune¹¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Isabel Williams| T: Evan Williams| OR: 99| D

28/1

Had excuses final 2 starts last season, before showing improved form when opening his hurdles account at Ffos Las (2m) in June. However, seemed unsuited by the sharper track when sixth of 11 at Cartmel (17.2f) next time. Others preferred after 4 months off.

Form: 94P6-16

Farhh Echo^p1²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Finn Lambert⁽³⁾| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 99

125/1

Showed more than previously over hurdles when fourth of 12 in a Worcester maiden in July. However, he finished well held on handicap debut in race won by French Emperor back at the same C&D last time. Cheekpieces now reached for.

Form: 4P-9540

Alphonse Le Grande^t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Daniel King| T: A J Martin| OR: 96| D

5/2

Useful on the Flat, winning 4 times in 2024 including the Cesarewitch. Didn't have things go his way a couple of times this year, before finishing eighth of 19 back in the Cesarewitch last time. On a handy mark back hurdling with tongue strap retained from the level.

Form: 006036/

Non-Runners

Fortune De Mer²¹

Weight: 12-0| Age: 5

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Doctor Glide⁷

Weight: 11-8| Age: 7

T: Tim Vaughan J: Lorcan Williams

Amancio²²

Weight: 11-8| Age: 4

T: Faye Bramley J: Isabelle Ryder

Forecasts

Alphonse Le Grande (5/2), Jack Hyde (11/4), Fortune De Mer (9/2), French Emperor (5/1), Shade Of Winter (6/1), Frontier Prince (10/1), Katakana (14/1), Lucky Bere (18/1), The Expensive One (20/1), Bruant (22/1), Amancio (25/1), Aeroplane Blonde (28/1), Pure Gold (28/1), Bobby's Fortune (28/1), Quint Major (50/1), Sage Green (80/1), Doctor Glide (100/1), Farhh Echo (125/1)

This could go the way of FORTUNE DE MER, who showed the benefit of his hurdling debut when winning a Grade 2 novice at this C&D last month, travelling strongly with a hood applied. He can progress further in handicaps and is preferred to Alphonse le Grande, who has developed into a useful stayer on the Flat since last seen over hurdles. Jack Hyde and The Expensive One complete the shortlist.