The Greatwood Handicap hurdle is the highlight on the final day of Chelteham’s November Meeting. Here you can get the lowdown on the field for the 2021 renewal, as well as a great offer from Paddy Power, where you can get £60 in free bets when you stake £10 this weekend.
HISTORY
Won in the past by Champion Hurdlers Celtic Shot and Rooster Booster, the Greatwood Hurdle offers a position in the calendar from which a dark horse can often emerge. Also on the roll of honour are Sizing Europe, a future Champion Chaser, and Menorah, who won this under top-weight after having taken the Supreme Novices earlier that year.
The early-season nature of the Greatwood Hurdle often means that less-experienced hurdlers are looking to take advantage of lower handicap marks before heading on to loftier targets. Menorah, despite carrying top-weight, was rated only 151, which clearly underestimated his talents. In more recent renewals, both Old Guard and Elgin were rated 145 and both would win Graded events that same season.
Even those with slightly more knowhow can prove extremely well-handicapped. Rooster Booster wouldn’t have seemed an obvious handicap blot off 155, but he’d win the Champion Hurdle in a canter later that season, while Khyber Kim would chase Binocuar home in that championship event after winning this off 143.
This is perhaps why no horse aged over eight has ever won the race and why last year’s winner, The Shunter, was the first seven-year-old to do so since 2009. It’s difficult for a horse with more exposure to improve to such a level.
Beware the younger horse then and look carefully for those who could end up in Graded company.
KEY CONTENDERS
David Pipe won this with the four-year-old Dell’Arca in 2013 though Adagio has a tougher task at the head of the weights. That said, he was second in the Triumph Hurdle and Aintree’s 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle having already won at Grade 1 level in The Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow. The form of all three of those starts is very strong in what looked a strong batch of juveniles last season, so he has every right to be involved at the weekend.
The other four-year-old, Tritonic, was second on his comeback run after running below-par in the Triumph Hurdle. However, his win in the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton lives in the memory and this will be run on similar ground.
Both the aforementioned can go well, but the two of most interest are in the ownership of J P McManus. NO ORDINARY JOE has every chance of being extremely well-treated. He is no more exposed than last season’s juveniles and won two novice hurdles in May very cosily. That was no more than to be expected, but he was thrown into a Grade 2 won by My Drogo on his hurdling debut by Nicky Henderson. That suggests connections believe firmly in his ability and a mark of 133 should be overcome.
Camprond is the other McManus runner for Philip Hobbs. His steady improvement over the summer culminated in victory in the Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow, which he backed up in good style here last month. We may not see him too often over the winter given good ground looks key for him, so expect him to be more than ready for this.
West Cork is the wildcard of those who are fancied. He has been off the track for a long time, but the best of his novice form was very useful. The Skeltons look set for a handsome weekend, so it would be little surprise if West Cork were fully primed for his return to action.
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BEST OF THE REST
Only three of the last 10 winners have gone off at single-figure prices, so it’s worth scouring the field for some each-way value.
The win went to Ireland last season and Jesse Evans looks the nation’s prime candidate this time around. He was campaigned at Graded level at the start of last season, but after falling short, Noel Meade’s five-year-old has been extremely consistent in handicap company, winning at Killarney and placing at the Punchestown and Galway festivals. He is only 3lbs higher than his Irish mark which is very tempting.
Bua Boy has a more similar profile to last year’s winner The Shunter, as he’s been a ready improver for Denis Gerard Hogan. He’s fallen just short at Galway and Listowel over the summer/autumn, but clearly likes good ground.
It’s back on home shores where the best value can be found, however. BOTOX HAS fell on his novice chasing debut recently, but the return to smaller obstacles should help. He won the Masterson Holdings Hurdle last year, but has steadily seen his handicap mark drop. He has a good record at Cheltenham and on a quicker surface. The 5lbs claimed by Niall Hourihan give him an extra advantage.
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BIG RACE VERDICT
Nicky Henderson’s NO ORDINARY JOE really could prove incredibly well-treated off a mark of just 133 and he’s difficult to oppose given he may end up in Graded company. Camprond under the same ownership and Botox Has are feared most, while Irish runner Jesse Evans looks the best of their contingent this year. Four-year-olds Adagio and Tritonic are others capable of belying their marks.
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Bet £10 on Cheltenham’s November Meeting and get £60 of Free Bets
Place a pre-race £10 bet on any horse racing market, 12th – 13th November, at min. odds 1/5 (1.2) — get £60 in free bets. Your qualifying bet must settle by Saturday 23:59, 13th November. Only deposits via Cards will qualify (Apple Pay not valid on this promotion). Free bets will be awarded after the qualifying bet has been settled. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.