14:00 Cheltenham
Friday 13 March 2026
All13:2014:0014:4015:2016:0016:4017:20
William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
- 5YO plus  |  Class 1  |  2m 179y  |  24 Runners  |  Turf
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Very solid record in top-end handicaps, runner-up in Galway Hurdle and this race in 2024/25, prior to a career-best performance when awarded latest renewal of former race in July. Encouraging spin on Flat last month will put him spot on for this and he should give his running again.
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Won with race in 2024 (third last year) and proved better than ever when very smart winner of Sussex Champion Hurdle in April. Unable to better previous efforts in Melbourne Cup when eighth in 2025 renewal but looks sure to be in the shake up on his return.
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Thoroughly likeable type who is thriving on racing, finding marked improvement to win back-to-back handicaps at Leopardstown, latterly when knuckling down well to see off gambled-on I Started A Joke. Cannot be discounted in his bid for a hat-trick.
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Lightly-raced 6-y-o whose only blip came in last year's Supreme, and he was seemingly better than ever when runner-up in Grade 2 Limestone Lad at Naas on seasonal reappearance. That was a near-smart effort and given he's the pick of Paul Townend, it's highly likely there's better to come.
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Progressive as a juvenile, sixth in the Triumph prior to finishing third in Grade 1 Champion 4-Y-O at Punchestown in May. Didn't come on for his reappearance when seventh in listed handicap last time, and while this has likely been the long-term target, his mark leaves little room for manoeuvre.
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As good as ever this season, finishing ahead of Alexei/Mondo Man when successful in a race run to suit at Ascot in December and ran at least as well to finish runner-up in another valuable handicap at Windsor the following month. The form of the latter has taken a few knocks, however.
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Had been off for 11 weeks prior to finishing eighth in this race for Gavin Cromwell last year (effort flattened out) and while he should be cherry ripe this time (had a pipe-opener at Leopardstown last month), minor honours likely beckon again.
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Much-improved winner of Aintree Grade 1 as a juvenile and following a highly creditable reappearance behind Talk The Talk, wasn't seen to best effect when fourth in listed handicap at Leopardstown last month. Likely player for connections who won this race in 2025 with another very useful mare.
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Very useful bumper/novice hurdler who was back to his best when runner-up over longer trip on handicap bow at Ascot in January. Disappointing run on the Flat behind Constitution Hill since and while on a fair mark, he needs plenty to fall right in a very competitive race.
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One-time very smart Flat performer who seemed hard done by when demoted in last year's Galway Hurdle, having beaten Ndaawi a head to finish first past the post. That was a career best and it's safe to assume this has been the target following trio of mid-field finishes on Flat last autumn.
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Powered through the race when collared late in Dawn Run over C&D last season but hasn't hit those heights since, finding less than looked likely over 2½m at Leopardstown in December. Makes first start in a big-field handicap now, though, and she should find this much more to her liking.
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Capped fine 2024/25 season with success in mares' listed novice over this course, and while second-best in three of 4 starts this campaign (again seemingly outstayed over 2½m at Warwick last time), a big-field handicap should suit her strong-travelling style.
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Perhaps surprisingly, has looked an improved model since leaving Dan Skelton, winning back-to-back 2m handicaps at Kempton and running at least as well in defeat when fourth in 'Scottish County' in late-January. Pitched into much deeper waters now but will likely benefit from a stronger pace.
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Off since finishing well held on handicap bow at Ascot in December and while subsequent breathing operation (also wears tongue strap) suggests all wasn't right that day, his handicap mark probably still overstates the value of his Persian War success earlier in the season.
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Gave his running when seventh in the 2025 County, though doesn't arrive on the back of a Morebattle success this time around, only sixth when bidding for a hat-trick in the race at Kelso last time. Hard to envisage him playing a leading role.
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Impressive winner of William Hill Hurdle at Newbury last year and while disappointing over fences this season, confirmed she's very much working her way back to form in Grade 2 at Ascot last time. Could be in the mix if building on that performance.
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Last season's Victor Ludorum winner hasn't kicked on from a successful reappearance at Chepstow in October and has plenty to prove in top-end handicap.
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Ran a blinder behind Rubaud in Grade 2 Elite at Wincanton and having again displayed his speed when successful on all-weather, there's plenty of mitigation for his Morebattle run in soft conditions. Handicap mark looks on the stiff side, though.
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Useful hurdler who has chased home thriving Bowensfire on previous two completed starts, though he was beaten a lot further by that rival at Leopardstown last month and it's hard to see him featuring prominently in an even deeper handicap.
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Back to his useful-best returned to front running tactics this season, beating a subsequent winner at Newbury before creditable third (behind Williethebuilder) at Doncaster in December. Subsequent absence isn't a concern given his record when fresh, for all he's likely to fall short in this company.
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Promising novice for Ben Pauling in 2023/24 but has clearly had his problems since, found to have bled when turned over on chase debut/final start for O'Neill stable in October. New yard more than capable of reviving one, however, and he's potentially well treated if back on song.
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Impressive bumper winner who finished runner-up in a strong maiden on hurdle/stable debut and while his two wins since have been simple tasks, he's also shaped well behind promising Act of Innocence. No surprise to see this lightly-raced, exuberant type improve for the switch to handicaps.
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Rock-solid form in top-end handicaps last season, in the frame when falling either side of a hands-and-heels victory over now-improved Kabral Du Mathan at Windsor in December 2024. Shaped as if retaining all ability on reappearance in Kingwell last month and remains one to be interested in.
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Likeable type has been a credit to connections, showing a very willing attitude when landing valuable Grade 2 mares' hurdle at Ascot in January, though she's typically found life tougher in top-quality handicaps.
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Forecasts
Karbau (4/1), Murcia (11/2), Sinnatra (7/1), Absurde (10/1), Hello Neighbour (10/1), Tellherthename (12/1), Wilful (12/1), Ndaawi (14/1), Sixandahalf (14/1), Jubilee Alpha (14/1), Bowensonfire (14/1), Joyeuse (16/1), Secret Squirrel (16/1), Helvic Dream (25/1), Tripoli Flyer (25/1), Sticktotheplan (33/1), Hamlet's Night (33/1), Williethebuilder (33/1), Gibbs Island (50/1), Balko D'ange (50/1), Pinot Gris (50/1), Bowmore (50/1), Ooh Betty (50/1), Cracking Rhapsody (66/1)
An ultra-competitive renewal and a chance is taken on TELLHERTHENAME who created a very good impression as a novice and could be revitalised by a switch to the outstanding Dan Skelton yard. It's hard to knock Secret Squirrel's form in top-end handicaps and he's feared following an encouraging return in the Kingwell, while this test could bring out the best in strong-travelling Sixandahalf, who was narrowly denied at the Festival 12 months ago.
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £61,897.002nd: £23,320.003rd: £11,671.004th: £5,830.005th: £2,926.006th: £1,463.007th: £726.008th: £374.00
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