14:20 Cheltenham

Saturday 25 October 2025

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:40

William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

4YO plus | Class 2 | 3m 1f | 18 Runners | Turf

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Selected odds by:

Nassalam^p³⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 150

Mark has suffered since bolting up in Welsh National almost 2 years ago and not seen since pulled up here last November.

Form: 11P0/PP-

Three Card Brag^p³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 149

Just a maiden win over fences to his name but was a good second in Kerry National at Listowel last month and he's capable of making his presence felt.

Form: 7130-82

Hyland²⁰³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 147| CD

Had a fine first season over fences, winning 3 times before runner-up in the Kauto Star and Ladbrokes Trophy at Kempton. Never a threat in Grand National final start but remains of firm interest and has a good record here.

Form: 41122P-

Sea Music³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Donagh Meyler| T: E Mullins| OR: 138

Mixed record since winning at Punchestown in May. Respectable fifth of 18 in Kerry National at Listowel (23.8f, good to soft) 31 days ago. Jumping will be put to the test here.

Form: 1-U54U5

Light N Strike¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: James Bowen| T: M Bowen| OR: 137

Added to an excellent spring record when winning at Newton Abbot in May. Better form when placed twice at Uttoxeter since, latterly the competitive Summer Cup (final start for Emma Lavelle). However, bit to prove having failed to complete both starts for this yard.

Form: 2-133UP

Manothepeople^p⁹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 135| C| D

Landed Cheltenham handicap (26f) for the second time in April and ran to similar level in defeat at Uttoxeter twice this summer. Eased 2 lb and return to this track a positive.

Form: P551-65

Dunboyne¹⁸⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: James Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: Ian Donoghue| OR: 135

Unreliable type for Gordon Elliott but he went 2-2 for his new yard in 15-runner handicap chase at Downpatrick (28.6f, good to soft) in March. Ran a cracker when fourth in the Irish National at Fairyhouse final start and he's a player if ready to go.

Form: PP/P114-

Fascile Mode^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: D E Mullins| T: T Mullins| OR: 135

Arrives in decent form but often let down by jumping and may find this test too demanding.

Form: PF9-723

King's Threshold^t¹⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 134

Rejuvenated by breathing surgery/fitting of a tongue strap and he completed his hat-trick in 23f handicap chase at Newbury in March. Stiff task from out of the handicap in bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown final start and remains one to be positive about.

Form: 65111P-

Rock My Way^b,t¹⁹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 133| CWS

Consistent sort who ended last season with a respectable fifth in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr. Has had another breathing operation and can go well again on return.

Form: 314225-

The Short Go^h¹⁷⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 132

Mixed record last season but ran well on his 2 visits here, including when fifth of 24 in Ultima at the Festival, faring best of those held up. Ran no sort of race at Punchestown since but type to bounce back.

Form: 342F5P-

Transmission^p²²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 132| BF| CD

Took well to fences last season, scoring in November before excellent second following month, both over this C&D. Posted another good effort here when a staying-on fifth of 18 in National Hunt at the Festival on final start. 1 lb lower on return and probably has more to offer still.

Form: 1/21265-

Escaria Ten^p²⁰⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: Freddie Keighley⁽⁷⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 132| D

Not the force of old and losing run stretches back almost 5 years.

Form: 0/P4480-

Inch House^t³⁰¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132

Initially progressed well for the switch to chasing but has been out of sorts for a while, including for this yard. Off 10 months. Others more persuasive.

Form: 124F/PP-

Hoe Joly Smoke^t¹⁸²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 129

Improved switched to fences last season, winning twice at Sandown. Easy to forgive final start when well out of the handicap. Respected.

Form: 2/2151P-

Ballycamus¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 127

Successful in 2 of his 6 starts last term, including when looking as good as ever at Ludlow in February. Made a positive start to the new season when second at Chepstow 2 weeks ago and should go well again.

Form: 31P14-2

Backmersackme²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: S Bowen| T: E Mullins| OR: 124

Made an underwhelming return from 5 months off at Listowel 4 weeks ago (always behind) but is potentially well handicapped on his hurdles form and remains worth a second look should the market speak in his favour.

Form: 7846-78

Minella Blueway²²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Isabel Williams| T: Evan Williams| OR: 122

Winning pointer who ended last season with chase wins at Ludlow and Uttoxeter. Will find this a lot tougher from out of the handicap on return, however.

Form: 652711-

Forecasts

Rock My Way (9/2), Hyland (7/1), King's Threshold (7/1), Hoe Joly Smoke (8/1), The Short Go (10/1), Transmission (10/1), Manothepeople (12/1), Three Card Brag (12/1), Dunboyne (14/1), Ballycamus (14/1), Sea Music (16/1), Backmersackme (16/1), Minella Blueway (20/1), Nassalam (20/1), Fascile Mode (20/1), Light N Strike (25/1), Inch House (25/1), Escaria Ten (66/1)

TRANSMISSION did well over fences here last season, including a staying-on fifth of 18 in the National Hunt at the Festival on his final start, and he looks capable of winning again off his current mark. Hyland is another who had an excellent campaign as a novice and has a good record at Cheltenham, while Hoe Joly Smoke and King's Threshold both remain of interest now racing off their correct rating.