Greatwood Hurdle Tips 2025: O'Brien Has A 'Serious Challenge'

With a maximum of 20 runners for Sunday’s big Cheltenham race, there will be many Greatwood Hurdle tips flying around come race day. But Andy Newton thinks he’s found a value each-way pick from the Fergal O’Brien yard.

Greatwood Hurdle 2025: Another Tricky Cheltenham Puzzle To Solve

Sunday’s Greatwood Hurdle will be one of the most competitive betting heats of the three-day Cheltenham November Meeting – which is a good and bad thing for punters.

Yes, there might be plenty of value lurking around, but this also means this ITV Racing contest will be a very tricky puzzle to solve.

Recent Welsh Champion hurdle first and second Alexei and Celtic Dino will be two popular picks.

There was only two and a quarter lengths between the two at Chepstow last month – with Celtic Dino coming out on top.

However, Alexei has since come out and won himself at Ascot by three lengths, so you’d expect there to not be a lot between the pair here.

The Dan Skelton team like this race too. Having won the pot twice since 2016 and in Mirabad they look to have another big chance.

This will be his first run for the yard having come from the Newland/Insole yard.

But is a proven Cheltenham winner – having landed a handicap hurdle here at the 2024 December Meeting.

He could be well-handicapped off 129 and with just 10st 13lb to carry.

However, just behind this lot in the market comes a Fergal O’Brien runner that looks slightly better value.

Greatwood Hurdle Tips: Fergal O’Brien Runner Looks To Be A ‘Serious Challenge’

Trainer Fergal O’Brien pitched his useful Dysart Enos at the Greatwood Hurdle last year, but was a beaten favourite into third.

He’s back for more on Sunday – this time with another horse and one that looks to have a ‘serious’ chance.

SERIOUS CHALLENGE did well last season to win three on the bounce at Plumpton, Ayr and Southwell.

With the middle win of that lot a nine-length slamming of another possible Greatwood Hurdle runner Bowensonfire.

Yes, he’s since lost twice at Sandown and Aintree, but they were in Class Two events and wasn’t beaten far each time.

His most recent run was also only three weeks ago at Aintree over 2m4f, so is sure to come on for that.

Plus I also think the drop back to 2m will help having raced a big keen the last day and not seeing it out.

He’s dropped a pound in the ratings too (127) and having raced with 11st 8lbs+ in his last six races will only have 10st 11lb here – albeit in a better race.

The final plus will be the softer ground.

Cheltenham is expected to be pelted with rain over the weekend, but with winning form on soft and heavy this will be in his favour.

So, at around 10/1 – let’s get serious.

🥇SERIOUS CHALLENGE (e/w)
🥈ALEXEI
🥉MIRABAD

Trainers Alan King and Dan Skelton Have Won FOUR Of The Last Nine Renewals

Alan King and Dan Skelton Have Top Greatwood Hurdle Records

If you are looking for more Greatwood Hurdle tips – then it could pay to note that the Alan King and Dan Skelton yard do well in this race.

Between the two, they’ve won the race four times since 2016 – two each.

Alan was ‘King’ in 2017 with Elgin and 2019 with Harambe.

While Dan delivered in 2016 with North Hill Harvey and 2021 with West Cork.

The good news is the pair both have runners again on Sunday.

King has Castle Carrock and Helnwein. Then Skelton has the already mentioned Mirabad and Knickerbockerglory.

Only TWO Winning Greatwood Hurdle Favourites In The Last 23 Runnings

The betting can often be a good guide to a lot of horse races – but it might be worth knowing that we’ve only had two winning Greatwood Hurdle favourites in the last 23.

And NONE in the last ten years.

Yes, this could mean that we are due one, but it could also mean this is a tough race for punters to get right.

It’s hard to know which horse will go off as favourite, as it’s a tight betting heat.

But Mirabad, Alexei, Celtic Dino are near the head of the market.

As is Serious Challenge, but hopefully he doesn’t go off favourite (so keep this one to yourselves).

Past Greatwood Hurdle Winner Iberico Lord Back For More

We will also see the 2023 Greatwood Hurdle winner Iberico Lord in the race again.

This Nicky Henderson runner is now aged seven, but is also rated 13lbs higher than his win in this contest.

Since 1987 we’ve not had a repeat winner of the race.

And only three seven year-old winners since 2003.

Greatwood Hurdle Trends Suggest Looking For Horses Aged Between Four and Six

Another way to narrow down your Greatwood Hurdle tips by looking at the ages of the final runners.

Why?

Well, a massive 29 of the last 33 winners were aged between four and six.

With 16 of the last 23 aged just four or five.

Good news for our best bet Serious Challenge, who is aged 5.

But this stat should also help rule out the older (or younger) runners.

Like Gibbs Island (four), Ibrico Lord (seven), Knickerbockerglory (nine), Helnwein (seven), Cormier (nine), King William Rufus (eight), Welsh Charger (seven), Moon Chime (seven), Faivoir (ten) and No Ordinary Joe (nine).