Greatwood Hurdle 2026 runners: 24 left in prestigious Cheltenham handicap
Idaho Sun heads a field of 24 remaining contenders for the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham on Sunday 15 November (3.10pm), with Harry Fry's Grade 1 winner the ante-post favourite for the feature race on the final day of the November Meeting.
The six-year-old is a top price of 4/1 following Monday's confirmation stage, but his participation remains uncertain because of the ground. Cheltenham was described as good, good to firm in places on Monday, with watering under way. Idaho Sun has not raced since beating Mydaddypaddy in the Grade 1 Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree last Boxing Day, having subsequently missed the Supreme Novices' Hurdle through lameness.
Dan Skelton has five horses remaining, including Let It Rain and Harry Lowes, while Welsh Champion Hurdle winner Pioneer Pete is another leading contender despite an 8lb rise for his recent victory. Iberico Lord heads the weights off a mark of 144, with a maximum field of 20 permitted. The Unibet Greatwood Hurdle is a Premier Handicap run over 2m87y on the Old Course, is worth £56,950 to the winner and will be shown live on ITV3 and Racing TV.
#AD 18+ New customers: Deposit £10+ and place a sports bet within 7 days from registration. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets - 2 x Football Accas (4+) & 2 x Sports Multiples (2+), valid 7 days. Min odds apply. Excludes virtual sports, esports and non-UK/IE horse racing. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
Cheltenham 15:10
Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
- 3yo+, 24 Runners
- Jumps,Turf , 2m 87y , GOOD, Good to firm in places (GoingStick 6.7) (Watering)
- Winner £56,950, 2nd £21,370, 3rd £10,700, 4th £5,330, 5th £2,680, 6th £1,340
Odds Comparison
Racecard
Stats Filter
- Sort By Number
- Sort By Odds
- Sort By RP Rating
- Sort By Topspeed
• 1 (5) = Horse number with the draw number in brackets.
• Number alongside the horse name is the days since the horse last ran.
• Numbers/letters under the jockey silk is the horse form with the most recent figure on the right. Numbers = finishing position (0 = finished outside the top 10), P = pulled up, F = fell, U = Unseated, B = brought down, R = refused, C = carried out, D = disqualified, HR = hit rails, L = left at start, O = ran out, S = slipped up, V = void race. A dash between figures indicates a year between the runs and a slash indicates a new season.
• % alongside jockey/trainer names = strike rate in last 30 days.
• Key to pointers: C = Course winner, D = Distance winner, CD = Course & Distance winner, BF = Beaten Favourite last time out, WS = Has had wind surgery since last run, LT = Longest Travellers, b = Wearing blinkers, b1 = Wearing blinkers for the first time, h = Wearing a hood, h1 = Wearing a hood for the first time, t = Wearing a tongue strap, t1 = Wearing a tongue strap for the first time, v = Wearing a visor, v1 = Wearing a visor for the first time, p = Wearing cheek pieces. OR = Official Rating. RPR = Racing Post Rating. Topspeed is a figure calculated using race times and the going to show how fast the horse can run.
Greatwood Hurdle 2026 runners and riders
Prices are the best available on Monday 9 November. There are 24 horses remaining after the confirmation stage, with a maximum field of 20 permitted. Final declarations are due on Thursday 12 November.
Idaho Sun (Harry Fry, 4/1)
Idaho Sun is the most exciting horse in the field. Harry Fry's six-year-old is unbeaten in three starts over hurdles, culminating in a Grade 1 victory in the Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day, where he beat Mydaddypaddy. He also finished sixth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March 2025, so has experience of the track.
He missed the Supreme Novices' Hurdle through injury and has not raced since December, which makes this a demanding seasonal return. His opening handicap mark of 142 looks workable for a horse with his potential, but he must carry 11st 12lb against more experienced rivals. Fry has also indicated that he wants some ease in the ground, with the Gerry Feilden at Newbury an alternative. He could be considerably better than a handicapper, but there are enough uncertainties to make 4/1 a relatively short price.
Let It Rain (Dan Skelton, 6/1)
Let It Rain represents a Dan Skelton yard with five horses remaining in the race, and the six-year-old mare looks particularly interesting from a mark of 130. Her form with French Ship and All In You suggests she has the ability to make an impact in a competitive handicap, while her relatively lightly raced profile leaves room for further improvement.
She disappointed in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury last season, so there is a question about whether she can produce her best form in a big-field handicap. However, Skelton knows exactly what is required to win these valuable races, and she receives 12lb from Idaho Sun. At 6/1, she offers a little more value than the favourite if returning to her best.
#AD 18+ | Available within 7 days of registration | Opt-in required | Min. stake £10 | Excludes Boxing & each way bets | Min. odds EVS (2.0) | 3x £10 Free Bets credited per customer, valid for 7 days on selected markets with stake not returned | UK only & excl. NI | T&Cs apply
Harry Lowes (Dan Skelton, 7/1)
Harry Lowes is another strong contender for Dan Skelton, who has five horses remaining in the race. The five-year-old enjoyed a productive novice campaign, winning twice over hurdles before finishing second on his final appearance of the season. He makes his handicap debut from a mark of 128, which could underestimate his ability if he continues progressing.
The obvious concern is his lack of experience in a race as competitive as the Greatwood, particularly after an absence of more than seven months. However, he gets 14lb from Idaho Sun and represents a trainer who excels with improving handicappers. At 7/1, there is enough potential to make him a serious player, provided he handles the demands of a big field at Cheltenham.
Pioneer Pete (Jonjo & A J O'Neill, 10/1)
Pioneer Pete has the advantage of a recent run, having won the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las last month. He travelled strongly before asserting in the closing stages, producing a career-best performance that earned him an 8lb rise from the handicapper. That puts him firmly in the picture for another valuable prize.
The question is whether the handicapper has caught up with him. An 8lb rise is significant in a race of this depth, and Cheltenham presents a different challenge to Ffos Las. However, race fitness is a genuine advantage against several rivals returning from lengthy absences, and his recent improvement makes him difficult to dismiss. He looks a solid contender rather than an obvious handicap blot.
Helnwein (Alan King, 10/1)
Helnwein has unfinished business in the Greatwood after finishing second to Alexei in last year's renewal. That form looks particularly strong given the winner subsequently finished fourth in the Champion Hurdle, and Alan King's runner has already demonstrated that he can handle the demands of this course and race.
King reports that the horse is in good order ahead of his return and believes he is versatile regarding the ground, which is a useful attribute given the uncertainty over conditions. He may lack the untapped potential of some younger rivals, but proven Greatwood form counts for plenty. At 10/1, he makes considerable each-way appeal if reproducing last year's effort.
#AD 18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&Cs Apply. 18+. IRE/NI & UK online only. Max Free Bet £/€10. Win or win part of e/w outright singles. 5+ runners. 1st bet on each race. Free/void/antepost bets don't qualify. In event of a dead heat, offer won’t apply. Applies to First Past the Post result. Unnamed 2nd Favs don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
Mister Ursus (Olly Murphy, 12/1)
Mister Ursus has improved steadily since joining Olly Murphy, winning novice hurdles at Fakenham and Perth in the spring. He made his handicap debut off a mark of 128 at Newton Abbot last month, finishing third of seven and beaten just two lengths. That was a respectable return against more experienced opposition, and he should be sharper for the run.
The five-year-old has plenty of scope for further improvement and receives 14lb from Idaho Sun, but this is a significant step up in class. His two victories came in Class 4 company, and he has yet to encounter anything resembling the demands of a Greatwood Hurdle. The ability is there, but he needs to find another level to justify his position towards the head of the betting.
Mossy Fen Road (Harry Derham, 12/1)
Mossy Fen Road looked a smart novice when winning at Lingfield and Chepstow last winter, the latter victory coming in particularly impressive fashion. He was sent off 1/3 for the Scottish Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Musselburgh in February but could only finish second, beaten four lengths by Onlyforfrankie after being outjumped at the last. He has not raced since.
Harry Derham has made no secret of his regard for the six-year-old, suggesting there is more to come and identifying the Greatwood as a possible starting point. An opening handicap mark of 136 looks reasonable given his novice form, and he has won on his seasonal debut in each of the past two campaigns. The absence is less concerning than his lack of big-field experience, but he has the profile of a horse who could be considerably better than his current rating.
Greatwood Hurdle Stats and Trends
These stats cover the last ten runnings of the Greatwood Hurdle (2016-2025). The Premier Handicap is run over approximately two miles on Cheltenham's Old Course and regularly attracts some of the most progressive handicap hurdlers in training.
Last 10 Greatwood Hurdle Winners
| Year | Winner | Age | Weight | SP | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Alexei | 5 | 11-4 | 100/30F | Joe Tizzard | Brendan Powell |
| 2024 | Burdett Road | 4 | 11-10 | 7/2 | James Owen | Harry Cobden |
| 2023 | Iberico Lord | 5 | 11-0 | 7/1 | Nicky Henderson | Nico de Boinville |
| 2022 | I Like To Move It | 5 | 12-0 | 17/2 | Nigel Twiston-Davies | Sam Twiston-Davies |
| 2021 | West Cork | 7 | 10-13 | 11/1 | Dan Skelton | Harry Skelton |
| 2020 | The Shunter | 7 | 10-0 | 13/2 | Emmet Mullins (IRE) | Robbie Power |
| 2019 | Harambe | 6 | 11-0 | 16/1 | Alan King | Tom Bellamy |
| 2018 | Nietzsche | 5 | 9-7 | 20/1 | Brian Ellison | Danny McMenamin |
| 2017 | Elgin | 5 | 10-8 | 10/1 | Alan King | Wayne Hutchinson |
| 2016 | North Hill Harvey | 5 | 11-0 | 6/1 | Dan Skelton | Harry Skelton |
Weights shown are actual weights carried, including any jockey allowances.
Winner Profile
| Stat | Last 10 Runnings |
|---|---|
| Average age | 5.4 years |
| Average weight carried | 10st 13lb |
| Shortest-priced winner | Alexei, 100/30F (2025) |
| Biggest-priced winner | Nietzsche, 20/1 (2018) |
| Leading trainers | Dan Skelton and Alan King, 2 wins each |
| Different winning trainers | 8 in 10 years |
| Most successful age | Five-year-olds, 6 wins |
| Irish-trained winners | 1, The Shunter (2020) |
Key Greatwood Hurdle Trends
- Aged four to six: 8/10. Eight of the last ten winners were aged between four and six, with West Cork (2021) and The Shunter (2020) the only seven-year-olds to succeed. Five-year-olds have been particularly successful, accounting for six victories. This favours younger contenders such as Idaho Sun and Harry Lowes over the more exposed older horses.
- Trained in Britain: 9/10. The Shunter, trained by Emmet Mullins, is the only Irish-trained winner of the last decade. British yards have dominated, although the Irish success in 2020 demonstrates that overseas challengers cannot be dismissed.
- Started at 11/1 or shorter: 8/10. Only Harambe (16/1 in 2019) and Nietzsche (20/1 in 2018) have won at bigger prices. The last six winners have all returned at 11/1 or shorter, suggesting that the market has become a relatively reliable guide.
- Aged five: 6/10. Alexei, Iberico Lord, I Like To Move It, Nietzsche, Elgin and North Hill Harvey were all five-year-olds. Horses of this age have won three of the last four renewals, with Burdett Road the exception as a four-year-old in 2024.
- Carried 10st 8lb or more: 8/10. Only The Shunter (10st in 2020) and Nietzsche (9st 7lb in 2018) won from below this weight. Four of the last five winners carried at least 11st, suggesting that a relatively high burden is no barrier to success for a well-handicapped horse.
- Started between 100/30 and 17/2: 6/10. Six of the last ten winners returned an SP within this range, including the last three. Alexei was the shortest-priced winner at 100/30 last year, while Burdett Road was successful at 7/2 in 2024.
- Trained by Dan Skelton: 2 wins. Skelton won with North Hill Harvey in 2016 and West Cork in 2021, both ridden by his brother Harry. With several contenders remaining in the 2026 renewal, including Let It Rain and Harry Lowes, the stable has a strong chance of adding another victory.
- Trained by Alan King: 2 wins. King won 2 renewals in 3 years with Elgin in 2017 and Harambe in 2019, while Helnwein finished second to Alexei in 2025. His yard has a proven record in the race, making Helnwein an interesting contender if returning for another attempt.
- Won by a favourite: 1/10. Alexei's success at 100/30 in 2025 was the only winning favourite during the last decade. Burdett Road was also well supported at 7/2 in 2024, but the overall record demonstrates how difficult this competitive handicap can be for favourite backers.
Recent winners also highlight the importance of identifying horses who may be ahead of the handicapper. Alexei won by six lengths in 2025 before progressing into Champion Hurdle company, while Iberico Lord and I Like To Move It also developed into high-class performers. The Greatwood regularly rewards improving hurdlers rather than simply those with the most experience, making the unexposed runners particularly interesting in the 2026 renewal.
