GB - Cheltenham - Race 3

Thoroughbred

19 Runners

24f

Handicap Hurdle

Turf

Good

48.0K

VIEW

Verdict

Unexposed stayer SEANIECON caught the eye when an unlucky fifth in a listed handicap at Punchestown back in April and looks the type who'll relish the staying test this promises to be. Moon Rocket could be the main threat if recapturing the pick of his novice hurdle form. Ace Of Spades and Idaho Fire also appeal for top yards, with out-and-out stayer Love Of Neymore completing the shortlist.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob
9	Lightly-raced 5-y-o. Looked a thorough stayer when well-held fifth in Grade 1 Sefton at Aintree in April. Likely to have gone very close in first-time cheekpieces (barring trouble) in listed handicap at Punchestown later that month. One of the least exposed runners and surely has serious claims. 1st Pick 9 Seaniecon (Ire) Jockey: Jonjo O'neill Jr. Trainer: Jonjo & A.J. O'neill J: Jonjo O'neill Jr. T: Jonjo & A.J. O'neill	100	-	-	-	34%
Analysis Lightly-raced 5-y-o. Looked a thorough stayer when well-held fifth in Grade 1 Sefton at Aintree in April. Likely to have gone very close in first-time cheekpieces (barring trouble) in listed handicap at Punchestown later that month. One of the least exposed runners and surely has serious claims.
6	Close second in 2025 River Don a standout effort of his novice hurdle season. Went the wrong way after making an impressive winning debut over fences on reappearance last November. Now looks attractively treated off 6 lb lower hurdle mark, provided he's back on song following 6 months away. 2nd Pick 6 Moon Rocket (Ire) Jockey: Ciaran Gethings Trainer: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls J: Ciaran Gethings T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls	99	-	-	-	8%
Analysis Close second in 2025 River Don a standout effort of his novice hurdle season. Went the wrong way after making an impressive winning debut over fences on reappearance last November. Now looks attractively treated off 6 lb lower hurdle mark, provided he's back on song following 6 months away.
3	Chased home fast-improving Ma Shantou here (New Course) prior to overcoming a pace bias to land a weaker Pertemps Qualifier at Huntingdon (25f, soft) in January. Didn't get competitive in top-end spring handicaps, however, he did win on return last season and may relish more of a stamina test here. 3rd Pick 3 Ace Of Spades (Fr) Jockey: Harry Skelton Trainer: Dan Skelton J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton	98	-	-	-	20%
Analysis Chased home fast-improving Ma Shantou here (New Course) prior to overcoming a pace bias to land a weaker Pertemps Qualifier at Huntingdon (25f, soft) in January. Didn't get competitive in top-end spring handicaps, however, he did win on return last season and may relish more of a stamina test here.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Filly

A female horse that is four years of age or under.

Blinkers

A hood worn on a horse’s head to limit side vision, which can improve concentration. Blinkers are added or removed to relax a horse or give it more focus.

Also Eligible

A horse that is entered but does not draw into the body of the field due to too many entries, and thus is not permitted to start unless there are enough scratches to shrink the field size.