16:00 Cheltenham

Friday 13 November 2026

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:00

Valda Energy Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 3m 52.67s

1^st

Lexington Wood

511-5

7/2

T: O MurphyJ: S Bowen

Chased front rank, pushed along before omitted last, ridden run-in and pressed leader final 110yds, stayed on well to lead closing stages (the 2 hurdles in home straight omitted due to low sun) op 7/1 tchd 10/3

2^nd

Whermyrosemarygoes

510-13

20/1

T: Faye BramleyJ: Harry Cobden

Handy, pushed along and led before omitted last, challenged final 110yds run-in and flashed tail, kept on, headed closing stages op 18/1 tchd 22/1

3^rd

Way Of Stars

411-7

9/2

T: D PipeJ: Jack Tudor

Wore red hood to post, mid-division, improved 2 out, went fourth before omitted last, ridden and no impression flat

4^th

Crooked Path

411-12

5/1

T: James OwenJ: J J Burke

Wore red hood to post, front mid-division, pushed along after 2 out, kept on and took fourth final 110yds run-in op 9/2

5^th

Ocean Of Dreams

510-12

16/1

T: Gary McGillJ: Mr O McGill (5)

Mid-division, not fluent 4th, closed after 2 out, ridden and no extra before omitted last

6^th

1 ¼

King's Scholar

512-0

25/1

T: O MurphyJ: Tom Hutsby (10)

Mid-division, pushed along 2 out, stayed on before omitted last, never threatened op 22/1

7^th

Final Surprise

511-0

28/1

T: A RalphJ: C Gethings

Towards rear, pushed along after 2 out and closed, kept on one pace flat op 22/1

8^th

1 ¾

Kilt

510-12

50/1

T: P J RothwellJ: Ross Sugrue (7)

In rear, plugged on 2 out, never in contention op 40/1

9^th

1 ¼

Baymount

511-0

33/1

T: A MullinsJ: Donagh Meyler

Led, pushed along and headed before omitted last, weakened

10^th

Tuppence

611-4

13/2

T: L Russell & M ScudamoreJ: Mr Lucas Murphy (7)

Mid-division, pushed along after 2 out, no response tchd 6/1

11^th

Mystic Rose

411-5

40/1

T: P MageeJ: Sean Flanagan

Rear mid-division, mistake 3rd, never showed op 28/1

12^th

3 ¼

Ade Boy

510-11

14/1

T: C E LongsdonJ: B S Hughes

Never better than mid-division op 11/1 tchd 10/1

13^th

Eben Zaabeel

511-9

10/3f

T: A J MartinJ: Daniel King

Towards rear, never a factor op 9/4 tchd 4/1

14^th

First Ascent

511-13

66/1

T: G ElliottJ: Josh Williamson (3)

Tracked leaders, pushed along before 2 out, weakened before omitted last

15^th

4 ¼

Likewhatyousee

410-13

28/1

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

Prominent, pushed along after 3 out, gradually weakened op 40/1

16^th

Babyken

411-4

33/1

T: P F NichollsJ: Sam Twiston-Davies

Mid-division, weakened tamely before 2 out op 28/1

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Non-Runners

Shallow Bowles²⁷⁶

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: Nick Scholfield J: Mr Daniel Williams

Sytadel²²

Weight: 11-10| Age: 4

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:£5.00Pl:£1.50, £4.00, £1.60, £1.50EX:£111.20Trifecta:£941.40Tricast:£344.92SF:£80.20Swingers:£25.50, £5.90, £34.10

Forecasts

Eben Zaabeel (10/3), Lexington Wood (7/2), Way Of Stars (9/2), Crooked Path (5/1), Sytadel (6/1), Tuppence (13/2), Ade Boy (14/1), Ocean Of Dreams (16/1), Whermyrosemarygoes (20/1), King's Scholar (25/1), Final Surprise (28/1), Likewhatyousee (28/1), Baymount (33/1), Babyken (33/1), Shallow Bowles (33/1), Mystic Rose (40/1), Kilt (50/1), First Ascent (66/1)

WAY OF STARS looks to have plenty in his favour in a stacked renewal, and he may well gain compensation for his Chepstow near miss. The main danger could be handicap debutant Lexington Wood, who has plenty of untapped potential, while Dan Skelton's Sytadel is another who is probably well treated. Eben Zaabeel is potentially most interesting of a healthy Irish contingent, his shrewd connections landing a touch in this corresponding race back in 2013.

WAY OF STARS (IRE)
LEXINGTON WOOD (FR)
SYTADEL (FR)

Previous Winners

2025

French Emperor

Weight: 11-3 |Age: 5

J: James Bowen | T: Nicky Martin

5/1

Prize Money

1st: £10,892.002nd: £5,018.003rd: £2,508.004th: £1,256.00