15:35 Cheltenham

Friday 12 December 2025

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Citipost Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 0.81s

Long Draw²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 137| CD

11/4

Decisive winner of this race in 2024 and made it 2-2 on the new course here in April. Underlined his consistency when fourth in a Pertemps qualifier on the old course last time (not for the first time looking a bit lacklustre) but merits respect bidding to make it a hat-trick over this C&D.

Form: 141-344

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Stolen Silver^h,t³³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: K Brogan| T: L Horsfall| OR: 137| C| D

100/1

Very smart chaser at his best but lost his way for Sam Thomas last season, well held in two handicap hurdles last winter. Plenty to prove in a change of headgear on first start for new yard.

Form: 019/P64-

Kyntara³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 131| D

12/1

Made up into a useful hurdler in 2023/24, finishing second in Pertemps at the Festival. Failed to convince in a trio of chase starts last season but step back in right direction when fourth in a Pertemps qualifier at Aintree on reappearance. Claims if he can build on that run.

Form: 2F/44P-4

Titan Discovery²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Liam Harrison| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 128| D

15/2

Seventh in a strong Silver Trophy at Chepstow on reappearance last season and back to his best on first start over 3m when seeing off 11 rivals in a competitive Windsor handicap (soft) in January. Likely needed his comeback at Haydock last month and should be much closer to form here.

Form: 126/71-0

Lihyan^h¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 125

16/1

Suited by speed test when landing fifth win for current connections at Huntingdon (25f) in May. Has continued in fine heart since, coming from a less-than-ideal position when ½ length behind Tranquil Sea at Market Rasen (23.1f) last time. Should remain competitive, for all this is a stronger race.

Form: 137333

Lucky Manifest²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 123

2/1

On the up since winning a novice on final start for James Ewart (sold for £25,000), easy winner on handicap/stable debut at Kelso and progressed again upped in class when runner-up in 18-runner 2m5f handicap on the old course here last month. May well be more to come over this longer trip.

Form: 73P-112

Tranquil Sea^p,t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 123| BF| D

13/2

Found improvement to win at Chepstow (23.6f) in October. Had wind op following below par Newbury run and straight back to form when no match for improving winner at Market Rasen (23.1f). Should be better suited by this test and one to note with cheekpieces on first time since joining Skelton team.

Form: 4-P2162

Spike Jones^p,t³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Benjamin Macey⁽⁷⁾| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 116

14/1

Far from disgraced when sixth behind Titan Discovery at Windsor on final start last season. Again ran well fresh when narrowly denied on reappearance at Lingfield (had won race previous year on comeback) but has more on his plate in a stronger race.

Form: 45/136-2

Pike Road^p¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Freddie Keighley⁽⁷⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 115

9/1

Looked the likely winner when unseating on second chase start at Ludlow and quickly made amends back over hurdles, finding plenty under a well-judged ride to a win a 7-runner handicap at Uttoxeter (23.3f, soft) 15 days ago. Would need to take another step forward upped in class.

Form: 12F5U1

Everyonesgame¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽³⁾| T: A Irvine| OR: 114

40/1

Fairly useful in 2023. Disappointing last season but capitalised on a much-reduced mark (defying 80/1 odds) on second start for new yard at Kempton (24.6f) last month, showing more dash than his 8 rivals in a slowly run affair. That form is best treated with caution but he remains on a handy mark.

Form: U3-0241

Forecasts

Lucky Manifest (2/1), Long Draw (11/4), Tranquil Sea (13/2), Titan Discovery (15/2), Pike Road (9/1), Kyntara (12/1), Spike Jones (14/1), Lihyan (16/1), Everyonesgame (40/1), Stolen Silver (100/1)

Only denied a hat-trick by an improved handicap debutant here last time, progressive LUCKY MANIFEST should be suited by this step up to 3m and is fancied to resume winning ways. Tranquil Sea wears cheekpieces for this first time since joining the Skelton team and should find this a more suitable test than Market Rasen, while last year's winner Long Draw merits respect in his bid to make it 3-3 over this C&D.