12:10 Cheltenham – British EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (Class 3)

The opener at Cheltenham promises to be a fascinating contest, despite the small field, with several intriguing contenders vying for the top spot.

Race Overview

This 2m 179y novice hurdle is set to be run on good to soft ground, ideal conditions for progressive types to showcase their ability. A small but competitive field features That’s Nice, Wingmen, Country Mile, and Palacio, each bringing a different angle to the table.

Key Contenders

1. That’s Nice (Trainer: Nicky Henderson, Jockey: Nico de Boinville)

The likely favorite, That’s Nice, has already shown significant potential, winning on her Warwick hurdle debut after being well-backed in the market. She put away a listed bumper winner in fine style, displaying both class and determination. With a strong pedigree and Nicky Henderson’s knack for developing top-class hurdlers, she looks primed to take another step forward.

2. Wingmen (Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Sam Ewing)

Wingmen is another exciting prospect, coming off a successful Irish point-to-point and novice hurdle win. He’s well-regarded by Gordon Elliott, and although he faces a tough opponent in That’s Nice, his proven stamina and tenacity suggest he’ll pose a serious challenge.

3. Country Mile (Trainer: Dan Skelton, Jockey: Harry Skelton)

Country Mile is a consistent performer, finishing in the frame on multiple occasions. However, he appears to lack the raw potential of the top two and may find himself playing catch-up here. Nonetheless, he is reliable and should be involved in the placings.

4. Palacio (Trainer: Sam Thomas, Jockey: Dylan Johnston)

At a bigger price, Palacio is stepping into much deeper waters. While he has some minor form, this race might prove too steep a challenge against more proven contenders.

While the field may be small, the quality at the top is undeniable. That’s Nice stands out with her impressive debut performance and has all the tools to follow up in style. Wingmen is expected to give her the most trouble, especially with his winning experience and staying power, while Country Mile looks set to pick up the minor honors.

Top Selection: That’s Nice

Forecast: That’s Nice to beat Wingmen

Each-Way Value: None – focus on the win market.

This race promises to kick off the day in exciting fashion, with That’s Nice looking to cement her reputation as a top novice hurdler in the making.

Timeform: Made a winning debut in Irish points back in February and showed her potential when confidently backed to win a Warwick novice hurdle nine months later, delivering a performance full of promise for her new connections.

Form Snapshot: Victorious in both a point-to-point (3m) and a hurdle race (2m 3f), both on good to soft ground. Most recently, she justified favoritism (10/11) at Warwick last month, defeating Honky Tonk Highway by 1 1/2 lengths in a strong display.