15:02 Wincanton

Thursday 15 January 2026

All12:0712:4213:1713:5214:2715:0215:3716:10

Oddschecker Cheltenham Free Bets Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 6m 38.85s

Diamond Ri^p1¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 125

28/1

Promising novice a couple of seasons back but has failed to fire both starts since returning from a lengthy absence. Hopes pinned on the first-time cheekpieces doing the trick.

Form: 2142/P0

Punta Del Este^t,p²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 124

10/1

Useful hurdler for Dan Skelton and, having slipped to a handy mark, he left previous efforts for this yard behind when third of 12 at Ascot (21.7f, good to soft) last month. This step back up in trip looks a good move and he's a major player.

Form: 35-7P53

Emailandy^b,t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 124

40/1

Useful hurdler at his best but endured an underwhelming campaign last season and well below par both starts this time round, too, including with first-time blinkers added (retained) at Kempton recently.

Form: 9/0PP-P8

Turndlightsdownlow⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Freddie Keighley⁽⁷⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 121

3/1

Low-mileage, progressive sort who readily landed a brace of Kempton handicaps in the autumn and improved further when finding only another upwardly mobile type too strong at Sandown (23.5f, soft) last time. Hit with a 7lb rise for that but he could have more to offer.

Form: 4-42112

Rubber Ball²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 121

17/2

Irish point winner who also landed a brace of 2m maiden/novice hurdles last term. Yet to hit top form this season, though, and hopes now pinned on this sizeable step up in trip sparking a return to form.

Form: 119-047

Tommy The Tank⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 120

28/1

Point/maiden hurdle winner who made an inauspicious start to chase career on return at Sandown last month, struggling a long way out. Return to this sphere is a logical step but others make more appeal all the same.

Form: 1/2214-P

A Perfect Day³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 120| C

7/2

Runner-up sole start between the flags and made it 2-3 in this sphere when cosily landing the odds in a 6-runner Lingfield handicap (23f, good). 6 lb rise looks pretty generous and this unexposed type is greatly respected,

Form: 21-31

Loverdose^p⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Kimber| T: R Walford| OR: 118

6/1

French Flat winner who thrived in this sphere last term, winning 3 times and runner-up twice from 5 runs. Failed to buld on reappearance second when mid-field at Newbury but that was a very competitive class 2 handicap and he should make his presence felt.

Form: 2112-28

Oh My Johnny³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Houlihan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 118

14/1

Successful at Uttoxeter and Hereford last season. Stepped up on his reappearance effort when finding just one too good back at Uttoxeter (23.3f, heavy) last month and he worth a second look off 1 lb lower mark.

Form: 1717-52

Champagne Chic^p⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 118| C

10/3

Landed 15f Wincanton novice heavy last January and produced by far his best effort since when narrowly going down at Chepstow (23.6f, good to soft). One to consider.

Form: 6140-62

Forecasts

Turndlightsdownlow (3/1), Champagne Chic (10/3), A Perfect Day (7/2), Loverdose (6/1), Rubber Ball (17/2), Punta Del Este (10/1), Oh My Johnny (14/1), Diamond Ri (28/1), Tommy The Tank (28/1), Emailandy (40/1)

This handicap has a strong look to it and A PERFECT DAY could be the answer. He did the job well when scoring at Lingfield and it's unlikely that a 6 lb rise will be enough to stop him in his tracks. Punta Del Este represents last year's winning yard and he looks a big threat having taken a step back in the right direction last time. Turndlightsdownlow is third choice, while Champagne Chic and Oh My Johnny are others to consider.