12:10 Cheltenham

Saturday 13 December 2025

All12:1012:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:10 | Winning time: 4m 3.97s

Minella Study⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 11-7| J: Ryan Mania| T: A Nicol| OR: 127

5/1

Made it 2-2 over hurdles (trained by John Nallen in Ireland for first win) when making all in listed Wensleydale at Wetherby (2m, good) for Adam Nicol in October. The Wetherby form has been franked and he looks capable of even better. Leading claims despite his 7 lb penalty.

Form: 11

One Horse Town²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 131| C

4/6

Fair Flat winner for this yard who is 4-4 since switching to hurdles, with the latest win coming in a Grade 2 on soft ground here last month. A 7 lb penalty shouldn't prevent another bold bid.

Form: 1111

Cinammon Coco¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 11-4| J: R Deegan| T: J P O'Brien| BF| D

28/1

Opened his hurdle account in Down Royal juvenile (17.5f, good to firm) in August. Not in the same form when 16 lengths fourth at Punchestown in October but bounced back to win on AW Flat last month.

Form: 4314

Westlain^h²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 11-4| J: Lorcan Williams| T: Jack Jones

40/1

Fair maiden on the Flat. Left his Warwick hurdling debut well behind when springing a 66/1 surprise with a hood added (retained) at Fontwell last month. This demands a good deal more but the stable's good record in this race provides hope.

Form: 01

Arnolphe^t1

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

16/1

Almanzor gelding. Half-brother to 4 winners, including French hurdler Candide and French hurdler/chase winner Avenue Kennedy. Dam 9f winner in France. Fitted with a tongue tie on debut. Will need to be smart to take this first time up but he couldn't be in better hands.

Form:

Crooked Path⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: D Hogan

66/1

Fair maiden on the Flat and similar standard when reaching the frame in juvenile hurdles on his last 3 outings. Suspicion he'll be vulnerable for win purposes again, though.

Form: 6243

Macshadow Des Crai¹⁹²

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

12/1

Reached the frame in 2 bumpers and a juvenile hurdle in France in the first half of the year. Has switched to a leading yard for his British career and it'll be very interesting to see how strong the betting vibes are.

Form: 3-44

Matiwo⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: C Gethings| T: Mrs J Williams

14/1

40/1, made a promising start when third (Wolf Rayet second) of 10 in juvenile hurdle at Chepstow (2m, good to firm) in October. May do better.

Form: 3

Winston Junior⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: Faye Bramley| BF

10/1

Useful maiden on Flat (stays 13f) for Jessica Harrington in Ireland and made an encouraging start to his hurdle career when runner-up at Fontwell (2¼m, good) in October. Likely improver.

Form: 2

Wolf Rayet^t1⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: R T Dunne| T: S Drinkwater

22/1

Just modest form in 3 Flat outings for Donnacha O'Brien in 2024 but returned from 12 months off for new yard with an encouraging second of 10 in juvenile hurdle at Chepstow (2m, good to firm) in October. Closely matched with Matiwo on that form. Tongue tie added here. Entitled to progress.

Form: 2

Forecasts

One Horse Town (4/6), Minella Study (5/1), Winston Junior (10/1), Macshadow Des Crai (12/1), Matiwo (14/1), Arnolphe (16/1), Wolf Rayet (22/1), Cinammon Coco (28/1), Westlain (40/1), Crooked Path (66/1)

MINELLA STUDY and One Horse Town have 7 lb penalties but still look the pair to focus on, with the former narrowly preferred on the back of his Listed Wensleydale success. Nicky Henderson French recruit Macshadow des Crai and Dan Skelton newcomer Arnolphe are a couple to monitor closely in the betting.