Runner-by-runner guide to Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham The Greatwood Handicap Hurdle is always one of the highlights of Cheltenham’s November meeting and today’s renewal promises to be a cracker with a number of very promising young horses in the lineup. Leading bookmakers BoyleSports have a special concession for both new and existing customers at Cheltenham today. If the horse you back in any race is beaten by the SP favourite you will receive the equivalent of your stake back as free bet. Guide to the 16 runners in the Greatwood Hurdle No. 1 Nemean Lion High class ex-flat performer that has taken the transition to hurdling in his stride with three victories in five starts. First time racing at Cheltenham, but the track should play to his strengths over this trip as he showed plenty of stamina on the flat. Good winner on seasonal debut and has a solid chance again. No. 2 Too Friendly Very experienced for a five-year-old with 19 hurdle runs under his belt. His experience will count in his favour, as will his two previous runs at Cheltenham, but he has nothing up his sleeve at this stage and is an unlikely winner. No. 3 Anyharminasking Well clear of remainder when 1 1/2 lengths second to Nemean Lion at Ffos Las last month. One pound better off with that rival here which should in theory help him close the gap, but suspicion that he doesn’t find much off the bridle which could be a problem in this competitive race. No. 4 Sonigino Probably needs a slightly longer trip to be seen at his best. Ran well on seasonal reappearance at Chepstow when appearing as if he would improve for the run. Missed a subsequent engagement when knocking a joint at Aintree three weeks ago. Looks like he is the second string for both his owners and trainer here. No. 5 Punctuation Very progressive. Good winner of a handicap hurdle at this meeting last year, but significantly higher in the ratings now. Arrives fit from a victory on the flat last month and his hold up style should be suited to this test. Leading contender. No. 6 Luccia Won her first four starts and was then sent off a short-priced favourite for the Mares Novices Hurdle at the Festival here in March where she finished fourth. Well-backed on seasonal reappearance in a Listed contest at Wetherby two weeks ago, but again proved no match for You Wear It Well (also beat her at Cheltenham in March). Now tries handicapping for the first time and should be capable of being competitive off a rating of 136. No. 7 Knickerbockerglory Relatively lightly raced for an eight-year-old. Carries a penalty here (2lbs well in on revised official rating) for scoring easily on seasonal debut at Ascot. A front runner with solid claims of being involved in the shake up. No. 8 Gin Coco Second in this race last year and has other good form in big field handicaps. Disappointing when well held by Nemean Lion on reappearance at Ffos Las, particularly so because he had won first time up in the previous two seasons. Fitted with tongue strap for first time. Percentage call is to look elsewhere. No. 9 Lookaway Prolific winning six-year-old who arrives here having won a Grade 2 race over the course last month. His handicap rating has shot up 10lbs for that victory, but he remains one to keep on the right side of, particularly as he appeared to relish the hill here last time. Definite contender. No. 10 Swaffham Bulbeck Oldest horse in the race. Very consistent hurdler who has won or placed in 17 of his 24 races over flights. Finished second in a handicap hurdle over the course last month, but not for the first time looked a weak finisher. Best to look elsewhere. No. 11 L'eau Du Sud Twice a winner in France, but yet to score in three handicap hurdle runs for current connections. Off the track since early March which is a slight concern, but yard has won this race twice in the last seven years so commands respect. Has had a wind operation since last seen. No. 12 Afadil Lightly raced four-year-old. Finished in mid-field in the Boodles Juvenile handicap hurdle here in March and again finished in mid-field on seasonal reappearance over the course at the October meeting. No surprise to see improvement with Harry Cobden taking over the steering duties, but not an obvious contender. No. 13 Iberico Lord Very inexperienced with only three completed starts. Was somewhat unlucky not to win on handicap debut at Sandown at the end of April. 6lbs higher in ratings now which is fair and must be a leading contender for his top connections. No. 14 Go Dante Free travelling hold-up horse who should be suited by a strong pace here and could conceivably run into a place. Not raced since finishing in mid-field in a similar contest at Aintree in April so fitness has to be taken on trust. Has had wind surgery since last seen and wears a tongue strap for the first time. Could outrun odds, but an unlikely winner. No. 15 Hey Johnny Exposed Irish-trained handicapper. Didn’t show much promise on reappearance at Galway on very heavy ground last month. Was backed into favourite for a race at this meeting last year, but got no further than the first hurdle. Outsider. No. 16 Onlyamatteroftime Represents strong connections. Owner Paul Byrne's The Shunter landed a gamble in this race in 2020. Onlyhamatteroftime is having his first start here for Willie Mullins since being bought out of Niall Madden’s yard after running out when in contention at the final hurdle on handicap debut in August. His bumper win (got the race in stewards room) at Punchestown in June would suggest he has the potential to be quite a bit better than he has so far shown over hurdles. Could be very difficult to beat. Selections 1st Onlyamatteroftime 2nd Iberico Lord 3rd Lookaway 4th Knickerbockerglory
