13:15 Cheltenham

Sunday 16 November 2025

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

mallardjewellers.com Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:17 | Winning time: 4m 6.03s

Ambiente Friendly^h⁹²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: James OwenWS

11/2

Smart performer at best on the Flat, runner-up in 2024 Epsom Derby. However, his form has gone the wrong way, typically racing freely when well held in Group 3 at Newbury when last seen in August. Has had wind op ahead of hurdling debut.

Form:

Bespoke Tailor²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: O Signy

14/1

Runner-up first 2 starts in bumpers, before getting off the mark at Newcastle final outing in 2024. After 10 months off, shaped quite well on stable/hurdling debut when third in maiden at Fontwell 3 weeks ago, albeit a long way behind Gaelic Pride in second. Has something to find.

Form: 2/21-3

Bras D'or²⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| BF

25/1

Runner-up on second of 2 outings in Irish points (Oct 2024) and, although he couldn't justify favouritism (5/6), offered some encouragement when second in bumper at Fontwell (17.7f, good to soft) in March. Watch for market clues ahead of hurdling debut.

Form: P22-

Directly¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr S Burton| T: S Drinkwater

500/1

Bit of promise when fourth of 8 in a Worcester bumper but hasn't offered much in 2 novice hurdles so far, off 11 months prior to finishing last of 5 at Ascot 15 days ago. Looks to be up against it.

Form: 45-5

Gaelic Pride²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex

5/2

Irish point winner who struck at first time of asking under Rules in bumper at Fontwell (17.7f, heavy) in February. Found it tough in Grade 2 at Aintree next time, but made an encouraging start over hurdles when runner-up in a Fontwell maiden (17.7f, good) on return. Major player.

Form: P/4118-2

Hold The Serve³⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy

13/8

€62,000 3-y-o, Jukebox Jury gelding. Half-brother to fairly useful 2m hurdle winner Pleasington and fairly useful hurdler/chaser Findthetime. Won sole start in Irish points last December. In good hands and he's one to note as he starts off under Rules.

Form: 1-

Keno Black²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland

300/1

Placed on last of 3 starts in Irish points in April, but offered little on hurdling debut when tailed off in maiden at Fontwell (19.1f, good to soft) 24 days ago. Faces a tough ask.

Form: 6F3-6

Khafre³⁰²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: S Hosie

28/1

€34,000 3-y-o, £60,000 5-y-o, Cima de Triomphe gelding. Dam, maiden over hurdles/fences in France, half-sister to useful hurdler (2m winner) Chambord du Lys and French hurdler/fair chaser (2¼m-19f winner) Festina du Lys. Irish point winner at second attempt (Jan 2025).

Form: 21-

Ribba Hill²⁰⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Miss Megan Bevan| T: S Hosie

500/1

Fair winner on the Flat on debut and ran to a similar level in handicaps early this year, though failed to convince with his stamina when last of 5 at Redcar (14f, good to firm) in April. Makes hurdling debut on first run for yard after leaving Grant Tuer.

Form:

Soldier Reeves^t1¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| BF

14/1

Second of 3 in an Irish point and shaped well on Rules debut when third in bumper at Newton Abbot 18 days ago, left poorly placed. Tongue strap now added for hurdles bow and he's respected for his leading yard.

Form: 2-3

Stay In The Game⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: P Hanlon| T: J J Hanlon

150/1

Fair maiden on the Flat (stays 1¼m), leaving John & Sean Quinn after second outing this year. Stepped up on hurdling debut form when fourth of 19 in maiden at Gowran last month, though he has plenty more to find in this race.

Form: 44

Touch The Moon²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Philip Byrnes| T: W Durkan| BF

5/1

Useful winner on the Flat (stays 1½m) for George Scott and promising second in a Navan maiden on stable/hurdling debut in September. Beaten by a pair of fellow good prospects at Limerick last time, so he remains with potential in this sphere.

Form: 23

Astelia⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: J J Burke| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 113

50/1

Fair maiden on the Flat and ran to a similar level when runner-up in maidens on first 4 starts over hurdles. However, finished well held at Listowel on latest outing in September and has work to do in this contest.

Form: 22227

Portetta¹²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Ben Jones| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 103

125/1

Placed on second outing in bumpers and runner-up in a Tipperary maiden on hurdling debut in May. Hasn't progressed in 2 starts since, though, upped in trip when last of 3 at Downpatrick (21.8f, good to firm) in July. Others preferred.

Form: 63-253

Non-Runners

Act Of Innocence²³⁶

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

The Egyptian Ginge²²

Weight: 11-4| Age: 4

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Non Runner

Gower Spirit¹

Weight: 10-11| Age: 5

T: M Sheppard J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Hold The Serve (13/8), Gaelic Pride (5/2), Act Of Innocence (7/2), Touch The Moon (5/1), Ambiente Friendly (11/2), Soldier Reeves (14/1), Bespoke Tailor (14/1), The Egyptian Ginge (16/1), Bras D'or (25/1), Khafre (28/1), Astelia (50/1), Gower Spirit (100/1), Portetta (125/1), Stay In The Game (150/1), Keno Black (300/1), Ribba Hill (500/1), Directly (500/1)

This could go the way of GAELIC PRIDE, who made a promising start over hurdles when second at Fontwell 3 weeks ago, beaten only by one who was useful in bumpers. He is taken to go one better with improvement to come, though Act of Innocence shaped up well in bumpers and isn't taken lightly sent hurdling for Nicky Henderson. Touch The Moon completes the shortlist.