15:00 Cheltenham

Friday 23 October 2026

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Oddschecker Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Sharp Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 3m 55.70s

Bells Grove³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Kieren Buckley| T: E Buckley| OR: 124| D

9/2

Placed all 3 starts in bumpers for John McConnell and needed only to reproduce his hurdling debut form to land the odds at Ballinrobe (17.4f) in July. Showed improved form to follow up on handicap debut at Navan (2m) and needs taking seriously up in grade.

Form: 238-311

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Cooltobecareless¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| D

13/8

Irish point/bumper winner who created an excellent impression when making a successful hurdling debut on the back of a breathing operation at Chepstow (2m) a fortnight ago, bursting further clear up the run-in. Sure to go on to better things.

Form: 1/210-1

Eternal Angel^h³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 123| D

12/1

Progressive for current yard, registering a third success in 5-runner handicap hurdle at Plumpton (2m, good to firm) 33 days ago. Vulnerable to less-exposed types but should be capable of making presence felt.

Form: 121321

Governors Rock¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| D

22/1

Dual bumper winner who was disappointing in listed/Grade 2 events for new connections last season but impressed in making a winning hurdling debut at Uttoxeter (2m) on return, showing enough speed to take care of a couple of fairly useful recruits from the Flat. This demands a lot more, though.

Form: 81100-1

Kingofthefrontier¹⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: John Dawson| OR: 112

20/1

Point winner who confirmed the promise of his hurdling debut with victory in 2½m maiden at Southwell in June. Hiked in grade now and, while he's open to further improvement, this drop back in trip isn't sure to suit.

Form: 1-31

Sixpack³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Burke| T: James Owen| OR: 118| D

22/1

Had won a further 3 races on the Flat this year and left behind a low-key hurdling debut when successful in 4-runner novice at Warwick (2m) 31 days ago. Faces a much stiffer task at this level but good chance there's more to come from him in this sphere.

Form: 4-1

Spanish Darling^t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| D

20/1

Dual winning pointer who struck at the second time of asking in bumpers for Tom George at Worcester (2m) in September. Looked even better for the switch to hurdling when heavily eased down to win on hurdling debut there for new yard since and is open to plenty of improvement.

Form: 51-1311

Matiwo²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: C Gethings| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 117| BF| D

16/1

Newbury juvenile hurdle winner who acquitted himself well when fourth in the Grade 2 Dovecote at Kempton in February. Seemed more in need of the run than the market anticipated when turned over at short odds by Scott's Legacy on return at Newton Abbot but has more on his plate back up in grade.

Form: 3F148-2

Planters Punch¹⁹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 128| D

4/1

In top hands and looked a useful prospect when winning all 3 starts in junior company last season. Type to go on improving and looks a novice to follow.

Form: 111-

Scott's Legacy²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| D

12/1

Showed a good attitude when making his second bumper start a winning one at Southwell in March and followed up on Newton Abbot hurdling debut/reappearance (17f, good) when handing reopposing Matiwo a 6-length beating last month. This is tougher but he's entitled to progress.

Form: 51-1

Forecasts

Cooltobecareless (13/8), Planters Punch (4/1), Bells Grove (9/2), Eternal Angel (12/1), Scott's Legacy (12/1), Matiwo (16/1), Kingofthefrontier (20/1), Spanish Darling (20/1), Sixpack (22/1), Governors Rock (22/1)

COOLTOBECARELESS burst clear in the manner of one ready for a higher-grade 2m novice on his recent hurdling debut at Chepstow and is taken to provide his top trainer with a third consecutive win in this race. Bells Grove was much improved when supplementing his Ballinrobe maiden success switched to a handicap at Navan last time and commands respect with the timefigure supporting the performance. Planters Punch went unbeaten in junior company last season and looks promising, too.