Grade Two Trustatrader Novices' Hurdle Guide 2023

Cheltenham - November 17 2023
Cheltenham 15:30
1
Harry Cobden

Captain Teague

J: Harry Cobden
T: Paul Nicholls
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 11-7
OR: N/A
Days: 35

Got off the mark at the first time of asking in the grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow nearly a month ago.

Had finished third in the Cheltenham champion bumper on his final start of last season.

This is his minimum trip and he carries a penalty here but the one to beat.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
13/10/23CHP19.5GS11-01
15/03/23CHL16.5Sft11-73
20/12/22PLU18Sft11-01
Cheltenham - November 17 2023
Cheltenham 15:30
2
Keith Donoghue

The Big Doyen

J: Keith Donoghue
T: Peter Fahey
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 11-5
OR: 137
Days: 27

Already had 8 starts over hurdles winning two of them.

Well beaten in 2nd when last seen in a listed race at Limerick on heavy ground.

Shouldn't be up to winning this.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
21/10/23LIM21Hy11-22
03/08/23GAL20.5Gd/Y11-41
06/07/23TIP20Gd/Y11-121
08/04/23FAI16.5Y10-139
12/02/23NAV16Gd/Y11-55
Cheltenham - November 17 2023
Cheltenham 15:30
3
Sean Bowen

Kinbara

J: Sean Bowen
T: John C McConnell
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 11-2
OR: N/A
Days: 118

Won both his hurdle starts to date by 18 lengths at Wexford and Cartmel.

Been off for 118 days since and form isn't anything special but clearly a horse going the right way.

Not totally ruled out in first time tongue tie.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
22/07/23CRT22Hy11-61
07/07/23WEX24Gd/Y11-71
05/06/23LIS20Gd/Y11-72
15/04/23AIN17GS11-611
14/07/22KLN17Gd11-01
Cheltenham - November 17 2023
Cheltenham 15:30
4
Adam Wedge

Minella Missile

J: Adam Wedge
T: Evan Williams
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 11-2
OR: N/A
Days: 17

Got off the mark for new connections on hurdles debut at the end of October.

The form and the time are nothing to write home about here and he has plenty on his plate in this contest.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
31/10/23CHP19.5GS11-41
Cheltenham - November 17 2023
Cheltenham 15:30
5
James Smith

Moonovercloon

J: James Smith
T: Matthew J Smith
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 11-2
OR: 131
Days: 20

Has two wins in 12 starts over hurdles.

Steps up to graded company here for the first time and hard to see him winning.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
28/10/23CHL24GS10-115
11/10/23PUN20Y/Sft11-124
18/09/23LIS20Y11-7F
23/08/23SLI20.5Gd11-71
02/08/23GAL22.5Gd/Y10-94
Cheltenham - November 17 2023
Cheltenham 15:30
6
Jack G Gilligan

Sequestered

J: Jack G Gilligan
T: Paul John Gilligan
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 11-2
OR: N/A
Days: 19

Had four runs over hurdles winning two of them.

Finished behind the highly rated High Class Hero two starts back.

Form of his latest win reads well but he does need more to win this.

Each way claims.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
29/10/23GAL20.5Hy11-31
23/09/23LIS20Y/Sft10-122
23/08/23SLI20.5Gd10-111
14/08/23BAL16.5Gd/Y10-134
03/08/23GAL18Gd/Y12-05
Cheltenham - November 17 2023
Cheltenham 15:30
7
James Best

Supreme Commander

J: James Best
T: Syd Hosie
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 11-2
OR: N/A
Days: 605

Pulled up in a hunter chase on his only start under rules.

Massive surprise to see him play a part here.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
17/11/23CHL21GS11-27
22/03/22EXE24.5GS11-8PU
Cheltenham - November 17 2023
Cheltenham 15:30
8
Harry Reed

Wild Side Of Life

J: Harry Reed
T: L J Morgan
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 11-2
OR: N/A
Days: 13

Only had the one start over hurdles when second in a novice race at Wetherby.

Hard to know what that form equates to but will need more here.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
04/11/23WET19.5Sft11-02