13:25 Cheltenham

Sunday 15 November 2026

All12:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:45

WKD Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:26 | Winning time: 5m 4.11s

Captain Cool^p,t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 135

33/1

Has made a fine start over fences, registering a fifth success around 2m in another small-field handicap at Bangor in September but seemed rather undone by a further rise in the weights when third of 4 in handicap chase at Wetherby (15f, good to firm, 9/4) 32 days ago. Significantly up in trip.

Form: 213113

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Spectacularsunrise²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Toby McCain-Mitchell⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132| D

3/1

Took well to hurdling last season, winning twice over 2m. Overcame errors to make a successful chasing debut in 5-runner handicap at Perth (2½m, good to soft) in September and looked set to follow up when taking a late fall over C&D (good) 22 days ago. Leading player provided jumping holds up.

Form: 2696-1F

Turndlightsdownlow²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Freddie Keighley⁽⁵⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 127

10/3

Won back-to-back 21f handicap hurdles at Kempton last autumn and continued to progress when second all 3 starts at up to 3m thereafter. Promise on chase debut when second of 4 at Worcester (23f, good to soft) and was set to go close again when unseating late over 25f here 3 weeks ago. Down in trip.

Form: 1222-2U

The Gray Ghost^t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Price| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 125| D

5/1

Doubled his hurdles tally at Newcastle in February and made the frame both starts during the spring. Went one better than on his chase debut when winning a 5-runner handicap chase at Ascot (19f) 15 days ago, travelling/jumping with great fluency. Open to further progress after 5 lb rise.

Form: 4144-21

Four Springs³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 124

17/2

Point/hurdles winner on return last season. Pulled up in the EBF Novices' Final at Sandown on final outing last season but got right back on the up when winning a 4-runner handicap at Southwell (2m, good) on last month's chase bow, jumping soundly. Longer trip should suit and he can improve again.

Form: 1132P-1

Sony Bill^p1,t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: Faye Bramley| OR: 123

11/1

Useful hurdler for Willie Mullins last season. Stopped the slide over fences for this yard when fifth of 9 in handicap chase over C&D (good) 22 days ago, still closing when badly hampered at the last. Respected if he can build on that now sporting first-time cheekpieces alongside tongue tie.

Form: 33P505

Pourquoi Pas Papa³²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 131| BF

3/1

Acquitted himself with plenty of credit in good handicaps in the spring, fourth in Fred Winter at Cheltenham in March before finishing third in big-field event at Aintree (16.5f) in April. Made an encouraging chase debut when runner-up in a 5-runner event at Ffos Las (2m) last month. Up in trip.

Form: 21243-2

Sinchi Roca²¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Bryan Carver| T: S Hosie| OR: 114| BF| D

25/1

Point/fairly useful bumper winner who made a successful start over hurdles at Wincanton (2m) in January. Didn't progress after but could get back on track now chasing on return, though this is a tough ask from 2 lb out of the weights.

Form: 914522-

Non-Runners

Crystal Island²⁰⁸

Weight: 11-8| Age: 5

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Blue Carpet²²⁵

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: D Skelton J: Non Runner

Bill Joyce²

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: J & A O'Neill J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Kap Ouest²⁵⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 7

T: H Fry J: Non Runner

Dig Deep²⁴⁶

Weight: 10-10| Age: 5

T: B Pauling J: Ben Jones

Forecasts

Crystal Island (5/2), Pourquoi Pas Papa (3/1), Spectacularsunrise (3/1), Turndlightsdownlow (10/3), The Gray Ghost (5/1), Four Springs (17/2), Blue Carpet (10/1), Sony Bill (11/1), Dig Deep (11/1), Kap Ouest (14/1), Sinchi Roca (25/1), Bill Joyce (25/1), Captain Cool (33/1)

CRYSTAL ISLAND looked potentially smart when winning both starts over hurdles last season and Nicky Henderson's expensive point recruit can maintain his unbeaten record now chasing. Spectacularsunrise would've likely scored over C&D 3 weeks ago if not for a late fall so has to be respected, with Four Springs and The Gray Ghost completing the shortlist in a hot race.