GB - Cheltenham - Race 1

Thoroughbred

13 Runners

19.9f

Handicap Hurdle

Turf

Good to Soft

34.0K

VIEW

Verdict

NORMAN FLETCHER has been knocking on the door from a much reduced mark in recent weeks, and he may well record a long overdue second handicap success. Crooked Path and East India Express are feared most among the home brigade, with Sunny South West the pick of the Irish trio.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
13	Runner-up at this fixture in 2024. Now on a very handy mark following a winless spell stretching back to that season. Again shaped as though ready to capitalise when well-backed second at Newton Abbot (2¾m) 6 days ago. Back in deeper waters with a leading chance at the weights for in-form yard. 1st Pick 13 Norman Fletcher Jockey: Jamie Brace Trainer: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies J: Jamie Brace T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies	100	-	-	-	19%	9/2
Analysis Runner-up at this fixture in 2024. Now on a very handy mark following a winless spell stretching back to that season. Again shaped as though ready to capitalise when well-backed second at Newton Abbot (2¾m) 6 days ago. Back in deeper waters with a leading chance at the weights for in-form yard.
12	Third behind Morning Mayhem in solid handicap at Market Rasen (17f). Career best when convincingly winning a weaker event at Fontwell (19f) 8 days ago. Only his third hurdle start for yard with a fine knack of improving horses, and he's still very much unexposed over this sort of trip. 2nd Pick 12 Crooked Path (Ire) Jockey: Jonathan Burke Trainer: James Owen J: Jonathan Burke T: James Owen	99	-	-	-	29%	5/2
Analysis Third behind Morning Mayhem in solid handicap at Market Rasen (17f). Career best when convincingly winning a weaker event at Fontwell (19f) 8 days ago. Only his third hurdle start for yard with a fine knack of improving horses, and he's still very much unexposed over this sort of trip.
2	C&D winner who sent off favourite when falling in 2025 renewal of this race. Better than ever to go close in valuable handicap at Windsor on New Year's Day. Lost all chance when well backed in Martin Pipe and presumably over the top at Plumpton subsequently. Makes appeal given his record fresh. 3rd Pick 2 East India Express (Ire) Jockey: Freddie Gordon Trainer: Nicky Henderson J: Freddie Gordon T: Nicky Henderson	99	-	-	-	17%	5/1
Analysis C&D winner who sent off favourite when falling in 2025 renewal of this race. Better than ever to go close in valuable handicap at Windsor on New Year's Day. Lost all chance when well backed in Martin Pipe and presumably over the top at Plumpton subsequently. Makes appeal given his record fresh.

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Horse Racing Basic Terms

Mare

A female horse of five years or more.

Stewards

The officials watching every race at a meet to enforce the rules.

Bleeder

A horse that bleeds due to a ruptured blood vessel during a race or workout. The medication Lasix can fix this problem.