The Greatwood Hurdle (Sunday 19 November) is a 2-mile Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle run at Cheltenham. The most famous winners of the race are the 2002 winner Rooster Booster who went on to win the Champion Hurdle in the same season, and the 2006 winner Sizing Europe who went on to win the Champion Chase.
10-Year-Trends
- Five of the last ten winners have been 5-year-olds, and three winners 4-year-olds
- Winners were rated between 124 and 151
- Winners carried between 10-5 and 11-12
- SP’s have ranged from 5/1 to 12/1
- Phillip Hobbs has trained 2 of the last 7 winners
- Richard Johnson has ridden 2 of the last 7 winners, Paddy Brennan 2 of the last 8
The Greatwood Hurdle: Main Contenders
Defi Du Seuil
Sent-off favourite for each of his 7 starts last season, and duly obliged each time. Really impressed when winning the Triumph Hurdler by 5-lengths, and then won at Aintree much more easily than the 1½ lengths winning margin suggested. Set to concede 9lb to Divin Bere, whom he beat at Aintree, and may have to carry top-weight – but trainer Phillip Hobbs has won this race 3-times with top-weights before.
Divin Bere
Highly-regarded sort who just failed to land a gamble at last season’s Cheltenham Festival, and then couldn’t handle Defi Du Seuil at Aintree. 9lb better off here, and it will be interesting to see if he has improved since April.
Charli Parcs
Created a decent impression on his first two starts, but no match for Defi Du Seuil at Cheltenham. Probably better than that, though will be 12lb better off if turning up. Runs in the same colours as Defi Du Seuil though, even though they have taken each other on before.
Call Me Lord
Really impressive in winning off top-weight on his British debut in April, and is another who will be getting plenty of weight if he turns up. Trained by Nicky Henderson, as are Divin Bere and Charli Parcs.
Misterton
Won both his starts this season, but this will require even more improvement as he will be taking a big step-up in class. Trainer Harry Fry rarely aims his horses too high though.
Mohaayed
Third in last year’s Scottish Champion Hurdle after being seventh in the County Hurdle. He was also decent on the flat, and there could still be plenty of improvement to come over hurdles. Runs for the stable of Dan Skelton who won the race last year.
Jenkins
Thought to be a Supreme Novices Hurdle horse last season, but didn’t make it to any of the big spring festivals. However, that looks to have put him on a nice handicap-mark in a race in which Nicky Henderson looks to have plenty of leading chances.
Flying Tiger
Won the Fred Winter at last season’s Cheltenham Festival, when receiving 5lb from Divin Bere. Not so good behind that horse and Defi Du Seuil at Aintree, but actually set to receive 7lb from Divin Bere here – and could be each-way value.
Our Top Betting Tip for the The Greatwood Hurdle
Nicky Henderson has so many good chances, but it’s hard to second guess which ones will take their chances. Meanwhile, I wouldn’t put anyone off a bet on Flying Tiger, who looks weighted to run a big race having already been successful at Cheltenham. However, as Defi Du Seuil looked so good last year, he could easily become the fourth Phillip Hobbs trained horse to carry top-weight to victory – and looks a potential future Champion Hurdler in the making.
Tip: Defi Du Seuil