Cheltenham tips: Relkeel Hurdle runner-by-runner guide and verdict

There is plenty of rain forecast before and during racing at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, as well as strong winds, and with the ground soft, good to soft (at the time of writing), the assumption is that the going will be soft at best. 

The Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle is one of the seven races at Jump racing's HQ, all live on Racing TV, and it looks set to be a fascinating contest. 

Two Cheltenham Festival winners feature among the entries, as well as a dual Grade One winner. Below is a guide to each potential runner plus a verdict. 

Trainer: Nicky Henderson. Best odds: 11-4.

Positives: Progressive hurdler who was only narrowly beaten when conceding over a stone to Golden Ace at Taunton last season plus made the classy Gidleigh Park pull out all the stops on Trials Day (over this course and distance) before running a fine race in a strong renewal of the Coral Cup in March considering his yard was under a cloud that week. Produced a good chunk of improvement again to win the Ascot Hurdle (Golden Ace fourth) on his return to action where he showed a great attitude, and that is the strongest piece of form from this season on offer here. This will also be just his eighth start, so further improvement is on the horizon, and Nicky Henderson is in fine form. 

Negatives: Jeremy Scott made it clear Golden Ace would need the run at Ascot, so an improved performance can be expected from the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle winner who was only beaten two lengths there. Lucky Place carries a Grade Two penalty now, too, so will need to step up again to defeat that rival, although he could strip much fitter for his seasonal return as well. This also looks a stronger race. 

Verdict: There’s a chance this lightly-raced hurdler will develop into a leading contender for the Stayers’ Hurdle this season, and looks sure to be involved in the finish. 

Trainer: Dan Skelton. Best odds: 5-1.

Positives: Has the strongest form next to his name and is also clear on the ratings following his stylish win in the Coral Cup last season, and runner-up efforts in Grade One and Two company afterwards. If he bounces back to his best here, then he should prove too good for his rivals, with the track and ground holding no concerns for him. He's also entitled to strip fitter for his seasonal return. 

Negatives: Although a third Coral Cup bid is unlikely this season, and there’s no reason to try and get his handicap mark down this term, Dan Skelton has stressed that Langer Dan just doesn’t seem to thrive at this time of the year. His effort at Newbury in November was a shade disappointing considering he’d done “plenty of work” beforehand and wasn’t expected to improve fitness-wise, and he will need to take a big step forward now to be in the mix. 

Verdict: The 10-1 on offer with William Hill could look very generous if he’s at his best, but it’s hard to back him with a huge amount of confidence. 

Trainer: Gary and Josh Moore. Best odds: 4-1.

Positives: Won his first four starts over hurdles for Gary Moore in good style last season before finishing a respectable third in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham where he became outpaced at a crucial stage before staying on again, which suggests this new trip may play to his strengths (he was campaigned solely over two miles last season). His seasonal return at Newbury also hinted that, and he relishes softer ground. Connections also said he would develop into a better horse this season over a longer trip, and he’s another lightly-raced hurdler in this field who surely has further improvement to offer. His jumping is also a big positive. 

Negatives: He will need to improve again to score here based on the form of his seasonal return and Gary and Josh Moore have been operating at a seven per cent strike-rate in the past fortnight, which is a slight concern. Salver also needs to prove he stays this trip, and this could turn into a test of stamina, which will pose another question mark. 

Verdict: There’s plenty to like about him, and while he does need to improve to score, he's one for the shortlist. 

Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies. Best odds: 12-1.

Positives: This consistent performer has run some brilliant races in defeat at Cheltenham – all in handicaps – carrying some big weights this season and deserves another tilt in Graded company. He’s produced his best efforts at this track and has won on soft and heavy ground in the past, while the Nigel Twiston-Davies team remain in good form. 

Negatives: Struggled in his sole start in open Graded company last season, albeit that was at the highest level, and he has appeared in the grip of the handicapper off marks in the mid-140s this season. His form also falls short of what some of his rivals have achieved. 

Verdict: Hasn’t scored since October 2022 and will need a few to underperform to get back to winning ways. 

Trainer: Olly Murphy. Best odds: 16-1.

Positives: A useful chaser at his best, and he’s rated 156 over the larger obstacles, so a 7lb lower rating over hurdles may underestimate him, especially as he was good enough to finish third in the G1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase in 2023. His victory at Kelso in March, when defeating Old Roan winner Minella Drama, was also a high-class effort, and he was well backed ahead of his return to hurdling (in the race won by Lucky Place) at Ascot last time out, which signalled connections were expecting him to go close. Olly Murphy is another trainer in fine form (23 per cent strike-rate in the past fortnight) and this contender has the class to run a big race.

Negatives: Arrives here with plenty to prove having pulled up on his past two outings, and he stopped quickly at Ascot on his seasonal return. You could also argue he hasn’t been at his best in three starts at Cheltenham, despite finishing third in the 2023 Dipper Novices’ Chase. Verdict: A player here if he returns to his best, but he comes with risks attached.

Trainer: Ben Pauling. Best odds: 33-1.

Positives: An overall consistent performer who finished second in the 2024 Ultima, and his Cheltenham form reads 2222. Looked set for a productive campaign over hurdles when second behind Beacon Edge on his return this season and he produced a career-best effort on heavy ground last season. 

Negatives: The Grand National is his main aim this season and he disappointed at Haydock last time out. It’s unlikely he’ll be at his best here with the Aintree showpiece in mind, and even if he was, he’s unlikely to be good enough to score. He's also been declared for the 2.40 (handicap) race on the card.

Verdict: It will be a surprise if he scores here as he builds up to a tilt at the Grand National. 

Trainer: Jeremy Scott. Best odds: 9-4.

Positives: High-class mare who caused a minor upset when defeating Brighterdaysahead in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle last season, which looks even stronger form following Sunday’s Neville Hotels Hurdle! Jeremy Scott’s stable star impressed on her final start over this course and distance last season, too, so returning to this venue is a wise move. She remains lightly raced and her progressive profile suggests she will take another step forward this season plus Scott advised her Ascot run, when two lengths behind Lucky Place, would have blown the cobwebs away. It is also noteworthy she travelled like the best horse at Ascot before the lack of race fitness took its toll. Her connections are adamant she’s best suited by soft ground, so conditions should be in her favour. 

Negatives: Needs to take a step forward now to reverse form with Lucky Place (she is weighted to) and that rival may have as much, if not more, improvement to offer this season. She also needs to prove she stays this far in softer conditions as she isn’t devoid of speed, and may not want a stamina test. 

Verdict: Lots to like about her chances and she should be capable of going close now she has a run under her belt. 

Plenty you can make a case for, but LUCKY PLACE - suggested at 7-2 when this copy was first published on Sunday - looks to hold the strongest credentials, despite the fact he will have to concede weight to each rival. Nicky Henderson's youngster showed bundles of promise last season and his victory at Ascot suggests he could develop into a useful staying hurdler this season, with his chasing career on hold for the time being.

He has a great attitude, goes well at Cheltenham, won't be hindered by any further ease in the ground and promises to have more to offer this season, so ticks plenty of boxes.