{"id":69720,"date":"2025-11-15T03:45:01","date_gmt":"2025-11-15T03:45:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/?p=69720"},"modified":"2025-11-16T07:43:18","modified_gmt":"2025-11-16T07:43:18","slug":"greatwood-hurdle-tips-2025-cheltenham-november-meeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/news\/greatwood-hurdle-tips-2025-cheltenham-november-meeting\/","title":{"rendered":"Greatwood Hurdle Tips 2025: Fergal O’Brien Has A ‘Serious Challenge’"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Greatwood Hurdle 2025: Another Tricky Cheltenham Puzzle To Solve\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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

Recent Welsh Champion hurdle first and second Alexei and Celtic Dino will be two popular picks.<\/p>\n

There was only two and a quarter lengths between the two at Chepstow last month – with Celtic Dino coming out on top.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

This will be his first run for the yard having come from the Newland\/Insole yard.<\/p>\n

But is a proven Cheltenham winner – having landed a handicap hurdle here at the 2024 December Meeting.<\/p>\n

He could be well-handicapped off 129 and with just 10st 13lb to carry.<\/p>\n

However,\u00a0 just behind this lot in the market comes a Fergal O’Brien runner that looks slightly better value.<\/p>\n

Greatwood Hurdle Tips: Fergal O’Brien Runner Looks To Be A ‘Serious Challenge’\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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

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

SERIOUS CHALLENGE<\/strong> did well last season to win three on the bounce at Plumpton, Ayr and Southwell.<\/p>\n

With the middle win of that lot a nine-length slamming of another possible Greatwood Hurdle runner Bowensonfire.<\/p>\n

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

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

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

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.<\/p>\n

The final plus will be the softer ground.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

So, at around 10\/1 – let’s get serious.<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udd47SERIOUS CHALLENGE (e\/w)
\n\ud83e\udd48ALEXEI<\/b>
\n<\/b>\ud83e\udd49MIRABAD<\/b><\/p>\n

Trainers Alan King and Dan Skelton Have Won FOUR Of The Last Nine Renewals<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Alan
Alan King and Dan Skelton Have Top Greatwood Hurdle Records<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Between the two, they’ve won the race four times since 2016 – two each.<\/p>\n

Alan was ‘King’ in 2017 with Elgin and 2019 with Harambe.<\/p>\n

While Dan delivered in 2016 with North Hill Harvey and 2021 with West Cork.<\/p>\n

The good news is the pair both have runners again on Sunday.<\/p>\n

King has Castle Carrock and Helnwein. Then Skelton has the already mentioned Mirabad and Knickerbockerglory.<\/p>\n

Only TWO Winning Greatwood Hurdle Favourites In The Last 23 Runnings<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

And NONE in the last ten years.<\/p>\n

Yes, this could mean that we are due one, but it could also mean this is a tough race for punters to get right.<\/p>\n

It’s hard to know which horse will go off as favourite, as it’s a tight betting heat.<\/p>\n

But Mirabad, Alexei, Celtic Dino are near the head of the market.<\/p>\n

As is Serious Challenge, but hopefully he doesn’t go off favourite (so keep this one to yourselves).<\/em><\/p>\n

Past Greatwood Hurdle Winner Iberico Lord Back For More\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We will also see the 2023 Greatwood Hurdle winner Iberico Lord in the race again.<\/p>\n

This Nicky Henderson runner is now aged seven, but is also rated 13lbs higher than his win in this contest.<\/p>\n

Since 1987 we’ve not had a repeat winner of the race.<\/p>\n

And only three seven year-old winners since 2003.<\/p>\n