Cheltenham Specials Made Simple At BetVictor Handicap Hurdle

Won 4 times in a productive 2024/25 campaign and only narrowly denied at Haydock in May. Failed to take to chasing and also brushed aside back over timber at Wincanton on Boxing Day.

Confirmed reappearance promise with an all-the-way win over 19.5f at Doncaster (soft) in December. Up 5 lb and gave another very good account of himself when third over 20.5f here 2 weeks later. Now goes up in trip.

Point/novice hurdle winner hasn't stood much racing but defied a significant absence to make a successful chase debut at Bangor (heavy) a year ago. Stuck to his task when adding to tally in cheekpieces 3 weeks ago but this is a deeper race back over smaller obstacles.

All the better for belated comeback (off 22 months) when winning at Warwick on New Year's Eve, off the bridle long way out but forging clear after the last. Failed to repeat that effort at Huntingdon but a well-run race over this trip would be more beneficial. Cheekpieces back on.

Consistent hurdler at up to 3m. Failed to build on chasing debut fifth when occupying the same position at Doncaster in December and no real surprise he's back over timber after taking little interest at Kempton. Usual headgear back on.

Won the EBF Final at Sandown in March 2024 but hasn't progressed as might have been expected since. Didn't look a natural sent chasing during the autumn and also pulled up both starts over hurdles since.

Much better over hurdles than fences, making it 2 wins and 2 runner-up efforts from last 4 starts when successful at Chepstow 2 weeks ago. Up 3 lb but very likely to give her running.

Dual winner over hurdles who has improved switched to fences this season, off the mark at the second attempt at Doncaster, having more in hand than margin suggests. Unable to get to the front and looked temperamental back at that venue a month later.

Fourth in a useful C&D handicap in November and didn't need to improve on that form to double his tally at Fontwell a month later (by 1¼ lengths from Jalisco Star). 2 lb rise could be lenient.

Progressive handicap hurdler who got off the mark over obstacles at Exeter (23.1f) in January and he comfortably defied a 4 lb rise at Wincanton 2 weeks ago. Hat-trick looks a distinct possibility.