Cheltenham

Today, April 16, 2025HurdleClass 32m

The pick of several viable candidates could be BIG BOY BOBBY, who has returned from a lengthy absence with a couple of solid efforts in defeat and the drying ground here is a plus. Liverpool Knight looks a big threat for last year's winning yard, while King William Rufus could have a say now back in calmer waters and the progressive pair Continuance and Game Over are others to consider. Arclight also needs a mention, as she would be a serious player off this reduced mark if able to bounce back.

  • Big Boy Bobby
  • Liverpool Knight
  • King William Rufus
2m1f Hcap Hrd
Each Way terms: 1/4 odds for first 4 places
  • 1. Casa No Mento
    J: Finn LambertT: Nigel Twiston-Davies
    F: 121-1P441
    Price History:
    6.50
    Age:
    7
    Weight:
    12-0
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    134
    Days Since Last Run:
    49
    Verdict
    Developed into a useful hurdler, winning 4 times, and easily opened her account at the second attempt over fences at Bangor (17.4f, heavy) in February. Much more on her plate back hurdling in this big-field handicap but she's not without each-way hope.
  • 13. Continuance
    J: Freddie KeighleyT: Martin Keighley
    F: 1PR11
    Price History:
    -
    Age:
    4
    Weight:
    10-8
    Gear:
    hood
    Official Rating:
    122
    Days Since Last Run:
    30
    Verdict
    Flat winner who struck at first time of asking over hurdles at Sedgefield (16.8f, good to soft) in October. Failed to complete next 2 starts but back on track with decisive handicap victories at Ludlow and Fontwell and this progressive 4-y-o merits respect, for all that this will be much tougher.
  • 8. King William Rufus
    J: Charlie MaggsT: Chris Gordon
    F: 2-2221660
    Price History:
    9.00
    Age:
    8
    Weight:
    10-13
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    119
    Days Since Last Run:
    39
    Verdict
    Likeable front-runner who put an end to a frustrating run of seconds when the dominant winner of what had looked a competitive race at Ascot (2m, good to soft) in December. Ran well for a long way in the Imperial Cup last month and possibilities now in calmer waters off a 2 lb lower mark.
  • 2. Williethebuilder
    J: Mr Jack AndrewsT: Dan Skelton
    F: 506-21P94
    Price History:
    8.50
    Age:
    6
    Weight:
    11-6
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    126
    Days Since Last Run:
    39
    Verdict
    Doubled his tally over hurdles when scoring at Wetherby (2m, good) in November. Well held all 3 subsequent starts, including on chase debut at Hereford last month, but he's edging back down the weights and will be a threat if able to bounce back.
  • 3. Norman Fletcher
    J: James TurnerT: Nigel Twiston-Davies
    F: 07-213P90
    Price History:
    -
    Age:
    6
    Weight:
    11-5
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    125
    Days Since Last Run:
    33
    Verdict
    Useful type who was a good second on his reappearance here (Old course) in October before scoring in decisive fashion at Huntingdon (15.8f, good). However, it's been a struggle since and he was beaten a fair way when mid-field in this off a 3 lb lower mark 12 months ago.
  • 12. Game Colours
    J: Freddie GingellT: Ben Clarke
    F: P3-22313
    Price History:
    8.50
    Age:
    7
    Weight:
    10-10
    Gear:
    tongue strap
    Official Rating:
    116
    Days Since Last Run:
    25
    Verdict
    Improved performer since undergoing a wind op, off the mark in a 2m mares' novice on penultimate start and subsequent third in a valuable Kelso handicap (16.2f, soft) was no backward step. One to consider off the same mark here with Freddie Gingell aboard.
  • 10. Big Boy Bobby
    J: Philip ArmsonT: Alan King
    F: 412P8/22
    Price History:
    -
    Age:
    7
    Weight:
    10-13
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    119
    Days Since Last Run:
    53
    Verdict
    Fairly useful on the Flat and promising start to hurdles career in 2022. Stood little racing since but seemingly as good as ever in 2 starts since returning from a lengthy absence in December, runner-up in handicaps at Kempton and Newcastle, and a bold show is on the cards here.
  • 6. Liverpool Knight
    J: Mr Ben SuttonT: Fergal O'Brien
    F: 2-6443823
    Price History:
    -
    Age:
    7
    Weight:
    11-0
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    120
    Days Since Last Run:
    125
    Verdict
    Three-time winner for Olly Murphy in 2023 and, though safely held on debut for this yard on return in October, he has subsequently performed with credit in handicaps at around 19f at Wetherby and Taunton. Dropping back in trip no bad thing and he's a player for last year's winning stable.
  • 4. Arclight
    J: Freddie GordonT: Nicky Henderson
    F: 88/111P-P9
    Price History:
    9.00
    Age:
    6
    Weight:
    11-4
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    124
    Days Since Last Run:
    133
    Verdict
    Fair winning juvenile hurdler who immediately proved herself a much better chaser, winning first 3 starts over fences at the end of 2023. Hasn't shown much in 2 runs so far this season, latterly back hurdling at Ludlow, but the handicapper has shown mercy and booking of Freddie Gordon is a plus.
  • 16. Mary
    J: Toby WynneT: Ian Williams
    F: P412F23F
    Price History:
    15.00
    Age:
    6
    Weight:
    10-2
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    108
    Days Since Last Run:
    125
    Verdict
    Off the mark in big-field Stratford handicap hurdles last year and would've made a winning chase debut at Worcester in September but for falling at the final fence. Again failed to complete over the larger obstacles on latest start in December and looks vulnerable back hurdling following a break.
  • 7. Castel Gandolfo
    J: Fern O'BrienT: Fergal O'Brien
    F: 96-831679
    Price History:
    -
    Age:
    8
    Weight:
    11-0
    Gear:
    tongue strap
    Official Rating:
    120
    Days Since Last Run:
    173
    Verdict
    Sixth of 18 in this race last year before going on to land the valuable Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen in July. Below par next 3 starts, though, and he usually needs his first run back following a break, so this is probably not the day to lend him support.
  • 14. Lunar Sovereign
    J: Bruce LynnT: Sophie Leech
    F: 46/463-533
    Price History:
    21.00
    Age:
    9
    Weight:
    10-8
    Gear:
    tongue strap
    Official Rating:
    114
    Days Since Last Run:
    30
    Verdict
    Lightly-raced since finishing fourth in the 2023 running of the Swinton Hurdle and clearly retains ability judged on reappearance third to Continuance at Fontwell (beaten 7¾ lengths by the winner) where he was making his debut for this yard. Couldn't be sure that he'll build on that, though.
  • 9. Way Out
    J: Luke ScottT: Anthony Charlton
    F: 76-2UU205
    Price History:
    23.00
    Age:
    8
    Weight:
    10-13
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    119
    Days Since Last Run:
    228
    Verdict
    Three-time winner over hurdles who initially upped his game switched to fences, second in beginners' event at Warwick last spring. However, it would be fair to say that things haven't gone to plan since (well held back hurdling the last twice) and he's opposable back from a 7-month absence.
  • 11. Ashington
    J: Tom MidgleyT: Mark Walford
    F: 16178615
    Price History:
    -
    Age:
    10
    Weight:
    10-13
    Gear:
    visor
    Official Rating:
    119
    Days Since Last Run:
    25
    Verdict
    Successful twice in 2024 and back on the scoresheet with cheekpieces refitted at Doncaster (20.8f, good) last month. By no means disgraced in a competitive Class 2 Kelso handicap next time and possibilities here with the visor refitted.
  • 5. Ballywilliam Boy
    J: Miss Gina AndrewsT: Gary & Josh Moore
    F: 32822329
    Price History:
    -
    Age:
    10
    Weight:
    11-3
    Gear:
    blinkers and tongue strap
    Official Rating:
    123
    Days Since Last Run:
    26
    Verdict
    Added another placing to his record when second of 8 in handicap hurdle at Listowel (2½m, soft) in September on final start for Michael Hourigan. No show back from a break on yard debut last month but blinkers back on now (also sports first-time tongue strap) and this run should be more revealing.
  • 15. Lively Citizen
    J: Mrs Izzie HillT: D. J. Jeffreys
    F: 46-P97143
    Price History:
    36.00
    Age:
    10
    Weight:
    10-7
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    113
    Days Since Last Run:
    25
    Verdict
    Dual winner of handicap hurdles here during 2020/21 and successful 4 times since, most recently over fences at Ayr (16.5f, soft) in January. Respectable efforts in defeat since (also over fences) but will do well to better his fourth-placed finish in the 2023 renewal of this race.
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