15:30 Cheltenham

Sunday 16 November 2025

All13:1513:4514:2014:5515:3016:00

Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:31 | Winning time: 4m 0.69s

Gibbs Island³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 140| D

18/1

Fairly useful Flat winner showed plenty when winning the Victor Ludorum at Haydock last season (form worked out well) and got back on the up when a clear-cut winner on handicap debut on reappearance at Chepstow last time, seeing his race out well. Should remain competitive despite 8 lb rise.

Form: 11P8-1

Cracking Rhapsody²¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 139| D

33/1

6-y-o boasts a smashing strike rate over hurdles. Disappointed in this race last year but went to score 3 times subsequently, chief amongst them the Morebattle at Kelso and Scottish Champion Hurdle on final start at Ayr (2m) in April. Each-way player if ready to roll.

Form: 010171-

Iberico Lord²⁰¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 139| CD

15/2

Landed this race (in heavy ground) and the Betfair Hurdle in a stellar 2023/2024 season. Made a successful debut over fences last year but wasn't at his best following a fall at Ascot in December. Returns on a very tempting mark and makes plenty of appeal with yard beginning to hit top form.

Form: P/1F400-

Laafi^b²⁹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Philip Byrnes| T: W Durkan| OR: 138| D

33/1

Useful winner over 10f on the Flat for William Haggas and made a successful hurdle/stable debut when getting the better of Kainsbourg in a Limerick novice. Shaped second best for a long way when third in a 3-runner Grade 3 at Naas next time and could have more to offer now tackling handicaps.

Form: 13-

No Ordinary Joe^t³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: R P McLernon| T: Faye Bramley| OR: 137| D

50/1

Winless since 2022 but useful on his day for Nicky Henderson (runner-up in the Martin Pipe in 2023) and he caught the eye under considerate handling for his new yard when ninth (25/1) at Uttoxeter (19.9f) last month. Drops back in distance with tongue strap refitted and one to note for support.

Form: 7/5740-9

Fiercely Proud²²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 136| C| D

16/1

Shaped better than the result when sixth in this race last year prior winning a valuable 2m handicap at Ascot. Clearly not the same horse when pulled-up on both subsequent starts, latterly in first-time cheekpieces (now removed). Not dismissed if back on song.

Form: 7/F61PP-

Faivoir¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Miss Heidi Palin⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 134| CD

40/1

Enjoyed a fruitful 2023/24 season, winning County Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival in 2023 and running right up to best when caught on line in the Imperial Cup at Sandown. Never a factor returning from 19 months off at Carlisle 2 weeks ago and jockey bookings suggest he's one for another day.

Form: 28526/8

Alexei^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 134| D

10/3

Fairly useful 1m4f Flat winner who has confirmed the promise shown as a novice hurdler, chasing home Celtic Dino on reappearance prior to justifying strong support with a smooth-travelling success at Ascot last time. Open to further improvement but may prove best on better ground.

Form: 1148-21

Castle Carrock²²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 133| D

7/1

Bolted up in a bumper at Ayr on debut and impressed when beating Diva Luna on hurdle/stable debut at Sandown (soft). Shaped well when third in a Grade 2 at Kelso but made little impression on better ground in the Grade 1 Mersey at Aintree. Capable of better back on softer ground for handicap bow.

Form: 1136-

Putapoundinthejar^t²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: S Bowen| T: A J Martin| OR: 133| D

22/1

Improved to make a winning handicap debut under Sean Bowen at Punchestown in May but well held in valuable handicaps at Galway/Listowel since. Won't lack for fitness following a spin on the Flat last month and could be more competitive with the Champion Jockey back aboard.

Form: 6161-08

Fiveonefive^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Keith Donoghue| T: C Collins| OR: 133| D

80/1

Made it a hat-trick of wins in a relatively valuable Cartmel handicap back in June and bounced back from a poor run at Perth when fifth in a C&D handicap last month. Capable of holding his own in a deeper race.

Form: 8-91P65

Dedicated Hero¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny McMenamin| T: A M Thomson| OR: 129| D

22/1

Progressed over hurdles last season, winning a substandard renewal of the Grade 2 Rossington Main at Haydock. Wasn't disgraced tried over 3m subsequently and was given a considerate return to action over 2½m last month. Likely needs a career-best back in a top-end 2m handicap.

Form: 13115-6

Helnwein¹⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 129| D

14/1

Strong-travelling sort held his form well without winning last season, finishing runner-up in the Swinton at Haydock on latest start in May. Well-suited to big field handicaps and no surprise to see him run well under a patient ride.

Form: 44372-2

Mirabad^t1²⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 129| C| DWS

7/2

Progressed again when an enterprisingly ridden winner of a 17f handicap on the other course last season but went off too hard on final start for Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole in February. Has had another breathing operation in the interim and looks interesting on first start for his new yard.

Form: 221310-

Welsh Charger¹⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: C Gethings| T: A Ralph| OR: 129| D

28/1

Progressive last year, landing the Scottish County at Musselburgh (2m) and running at least as well when fifth in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr. Shaped better than the result in the Swinton last time (for all he did stop quickly) but soft ground would be a question mark on return.

Form: 9/1715-0

Rubber Ball²²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 128| D

18/1

Irish point winner who progressed when landing a soft ground-double in a Newbury novice in February but found better ground and opposition against him in a Grade 1 at Aintree. Should be seen to better effect under these conditions on handicap debut.

Form: 533119-

Serious Challenge²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 127| D

13/2

Near-smart on the Flat in Ireland and progressive over hurdles when rattling off a hat-trick of maiden/novice victories last season. Too keen to last out on first start in open company at Aintree (20f) on return and a 2m big field handicap may prove right up his street. One to consider.

Form: 51114-4

King William Rufus²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: H Cobden| T: C Gordon| OR: 123| C| D

20/1

Prominent racer who was well ridden when gaining a second big field handicap win of last season when successful over this C&D in April (16.8f). Shaped as if as good as ever when fourth on reappearance here last month and should remain competitive if coping with the likely softer conditions.

Form: 16601-4

Non-Runners

Celtic Dino³⁵

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: S Thomas J: Non Runner

Knickerbockerglory²¹⁰

Weight: 11-8| Age: 9

T: D Skelton J: Freddie Keighley

Forecasts

Alexei (10/3), Mirabad (7/2), Serious Challenge (13/2), Castle Carrock (7/1), Iberico Lord (15/2), Celtic Dino (8/1), Knickerbockerglory (11/1), Helnwein (14/1), Fiercely Proud (16/1), Gibbs Island (18/1), Rubber Ball (18/1), King William Rufus (20/1), Putapoundinthejar (22/1), Dedicated Hero (22/1), Welsh Charger (28/1), Laafi (33/1), Cracking Rhapsody (33/1), Faivoir (40/1), No Ordinary Joe (50/1), Fiveonefive (80/1)

An ultra-competitive renewal. The Nicky Henderson yard is starting to hit top gear and 2023 winner IBERICO LORD (still only a 7-y-o) is back on a very tempting mark. He gets the nod ahead of Knickerbockerglory, who is best when fresh and should make a bold bid under his optimum conditions, while Castle Carrock looks very interesting returning to softer ground on his handicap debut.