17:20 Cheltenham

Tuesday 10 March 2026

All13:2014:0014:4015:2016:0016:4017:20

National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 17:23 | Winning time: 7m 47.13s

Wade Out^p1⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 144| C

10/1

Bagged 3 novice hurdles last season and improved for the switch to this sphere when landing Worcester maiden and listed event at Cheltenham before Christmas. Posted a solid fourth in Grade 2 event at Windsor (3m) last time and not ruled out going up in trip now handicapping with cheekpieces tried.

Form: 616-114

Pic Roc^p³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 141

20/1

Finally opened his chase account at Huntingdon in November and got back on the up when easily adding to it in 3m Sandown handicap in January. Needs to take another step forward hiked up 7 lb however.

Form: 6-U1591

King Of Answers^p²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 140

22/1

Upwardly-mobile young chaser who was fitted with cheekpieces for the first time when making all in 23f handicap chase at Kelso 25 days ago. Has more to offer as he bids to go 3-5 in this sphere. In the mix.

Form: P2-5141

One Big Bang⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Alex Chadwick⁽³⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 139| BF

11/1

Useful 3m winner over hurdles and has shown form at least as good over fences, easily taking 3m Southwell maiden in December before finding trip on the sharp side when third in 2m3f Doncaster novice following month. In very good hands so he's no forlorn hope now tackling a marathon trip.

Form: 5-3213

Kurasso Blue⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 142| BF

7/2

Ex-French recruit who went 2-3 over hurdles. Has made a very bright start over fences, landing maiden at Punchestown (23f) in December before taking another step forward when second in 3m novice chase at Naas following month. Has potential for more now stepping up in trip for his handicap debut.

Form: 151-212

Will Do^b⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 137

33/1

Remains winless over fences and he added to a patchy record when pulled up in Thyestes Chase (3m1f) at Gowran in January. Third in this last year however, so not one to totally dismiss if back on his A-game.

Form: 0-7020P

Guard The Moon^p⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 137

33/1

Improved when successful on his chasing debut at Aintree in December. Pulled up after an early error at Newbury but quickly bounced back in first-time cheekpieces when landing 3m Windsor handicap in January, ridden more patiently than usual. Firmly in the picture with this step up in trip a plus.

Form: 8PF-1P1

Grand Geste^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny McMenamin| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 135

14/1

Has proven a different proposition switched to fences this season, landing Grand National Trial at Haydock last month having earlier taken the Tommy Whittle there. This likeable sound-jumping front-runner must enter calculations with his stamina proven.

Form: P-221P1

Backmersackme^t³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Donagh Meyler| T: E Mullins| OR: 135

3/1

Excellent second in 3m1f handicap here in October and (tongue tied) gained a deserved first chasing success in valuable 23-runner handicap at Leopardstown (2m5f) last month. Remains unexposed over staying distances and a likely player for his shrewd yard that took this in 2024.

Form: -78201

Holloway Queen³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134

12/1

Looked a good prospect when going 2-2 over hurdles last term. Got back on the up when gaining her first victory since in 23f Newbury handicap chase last month, jumping well and quickening clear from 2 out. Hiked up 10 lb but she can make her presence felt.

Form: 4P-PU41

Iceberg Theory^p¹⁰⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Conor Stone-Walsh⁽³⁾| T: P Nolan| OR: 133

13/2

A useful winning hurdler who has made a very promising start over fences, landing maiden at Limerick (2m7f) in May before returning from 6 months off with an emphatic win in 2m5f Cork handicap in November. This son of Flemensfirth has more to offer over staying trips. Most interesting.

Form: 36P2-11

Newton Tornado⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Flanagan| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 133

13/2

Ended last season on up over hurdles and it's been a similar story over fences, making it 2 out of 2 completed starts in emphatic fashion in 3m Doncaster novice handicap in January. This sound jumper could have more to offer stepping up in trip and rates a big player for last year's winning yard.

Form: 21-F1P1

First Confession³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 133

33/1

Point/hurdles winner who has advanced his form in this sphere this term, getting off the mark at the fifth attempt in 2m5f maiden at Carlisle last month. This demands plenty more but he remains capable of better.

Form: P-335F1

Union Station⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 131

28/1

Fairly useful maiden hurdler/chaser who posted his best effort when second of 13 in 3m handicap chase at Leopardstown in December. Raced too freely in cheekpieces and well held when unseated rider last at Fairyhouse (2m) since. Has work to do.

Form: 26-2P2U

Walking On Air^t,p⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: H Cobden| T: Faye Bramley| OR: 127

25/1

Formerly very useful hurdler/chaser for Gary Brown. Easily best run for his new yard in first-time cheekpieces (tongue strap also refitted) when third of 8 in Great Yorkshire at Doncaster (3m) in January. Not dismissed if building on that over this longer distance.

Form: 3F0P-83

Silver Thorn³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: J J Burke| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 124

40/1

A fairly useful winner over hurdles and he advanced his form when making all in 3m handicap chases at Doncaster and Exeter either side of Christmas. Not so good when fourth to Holloway Queen at Newbury last time and needs to bounce back.

Form: 2P-5114

Holokea²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Shane Fenelon⁽⁵⁾| T: M Bowen| OR: 124

33/1

Got off the mark over fences at Ffos Las (3m1f) in October and ran well in finishing runner-up next 3 starts. Pulled up in Haydock's Grand National Trial last time but he's proven at the trip and is the sort to bounce back quickly.

Form: 21222P

Forecasts

Backmersackme (3/1), Kurasso Blue (7/2), Iceberg Theory (13/2), Newton Tornado (13/2), Wade Out (10/1), One Big Bang (11/1), Holloway Queen (12/1), Grand Geste (14/1), Pic Roc (20/1), King Of Answers (22/1), Walking On Air (25/1), Union Station (28/1), Holokea (33/1), First Confession (33/1), Will Do (33/1), Guard The Moon (33/1), Silver Thorn (40/1)

ICEBERG THEORY is taken to emerge on top in a fascinating finale with this marathon trip likely to play very much to the strengths of this son of Flemensfirth. Paul Nolan's 7-y-o hasn't been out since coming home very strongly to score over 2m5f at Cork in November and can improve again. Emmet Mullins' Leopardstown winner Backmersackme rates a big threat and the lightly-raced Kurasso Blue could bring up a 1-2-3 for Ireland. Newton Tornado rates the pick of the home runners.