16:10 Cheltenham

Saturday 24 January 2026

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

AIS Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Classic Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:38 | Winning time: 5m 9.27s

Adonedeal^h⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: O Murphy| OR: 121

40/1

Irish point winner who impressed on hurdle debut at Southwell in November but was made to work hard (1/12 shot) to follow up under a penalty in 2m Plumpton novice last month. In much deeper waters for hat-trick bid (Sean Bowen prefers The Blue Room) but will appreciate the stiffer test.

Form: 1-11

Fortune Timmy²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Freddie Gordon| T: C Gordon| OR: 129

15/2

Successful on hurdle debut at Fontwell (19.1f) and gave a good account when third behind Old Park Star at Kempton. Made it 2 wins from 3 starts with an easy victory in a 4-runner Fontwell novice (17.7f) on Boxing Day but will need to improve for step back up in trip now pitched into graded company.

Form: 2-131

Heads Up⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny Mullins| T: J C McConnell| BF

6/4

Smart second in 2025 Champion Bumper. Beat a now useful sort when impressive winner on hurdles bow at Listowel and possibly overdid things in front when runner-up to No Drama This End in Grade 2 Hyde (21f, heavy, old course) here in November. That form is strong and he remains capable of better.

Form: 21221-2

Kripticjim^t1³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 130

14/1

Useful bumper winner who went one better than on hurdle debut when successful at Ascot in November. Showed a willing attitude to follow up at Newbury last time, seeing off a well-backed hurdle debutant. Upped in grade for hat-trick bid but remains open to improvement in first-time tongue strap.

Form: 421-211

Open Secret^t⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 124

14/1

Fairly useful Flat winner for Charlie Johnston and has made a promising start for Gordon Elliott, chasing home an improver who had the run of the race at Wexford (20f) prior to opening his hurdle account in decisive fashion at Naas (19f, heavy). This is a much stronger race, however.

Form: 421

Taurus Bay⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 132

11/4

Imposing sort who cost £155,000 after scoring on sole Irish point start. Ready winner on hurdles bow at Stratford (form worked well) and impressed again when dispatching a pair of last-time-out winners at Aintree (17f) last time. Longer trip will suit and this smart prospect is sure to go close.

Form: 1-11

The Blue Room⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 129

4/1

Went the right way in bumpers and made a successful start over hurdles in 2m Chepstow maiden in November. Came from an unpromising position when second behind hard held No Drama This End in Sandown Grade 2 latest but he's a scopey sort and will keep on improving.

Form: 2/241-12

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to board prices only - deduction 20p in the pound

Non-Runners

Act Of Innocence²⁶

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Forecasts

Heads Up (6/4), Act Of Innocence (6/4), Taurus Bay (11/4), The Blue Room (4/1), Fortune Timmy (15/2), Kripticjim (14/1), Open Secret (14/1), Adonedeal (40/1)

Champion Bumper runner-up HEADS UP shaped with plenty of encouragement when second in a strong Grade 2 here in November and he can progress again to land this contest. Smart prospect Taurus Bay asserted in taking style to make it 2-2 over hurdles at Aintree and should make a bold bid to maintain his unbeaten record, while Act of Innocence was conceding lumps of weight when turned over at Newbury and remains one to be interested in over a more suitable test.