Cheltenham Betting Odds
Cheltenham
Maiden Stakes | Hurdle | 2m 4f 56y
Step Ahead
Several of these should be winning races before long and STEP AHEAD could be the first of them to deliver. He pulled nicely clear of the rest when chasing home one who had race-fitness/hurdling experience on his side at Warwick on what was his first run in this sphere following almost a year off. Next on the list is Just Golden, who has shown plenty in his two starts over hurdles and remains open to improvement. Kiwi Rush and point winner Neon Dream are others to consider.
- Win or E/W
- Forecast
E/W Terms: 1/5 odds first 3
Last available win price
- 3Just GoldenJ: Harry SkeltonT: Dan Skelton21-23Age 66/46/413/8
- OR: -
- EQ: -
- Days Since Last Run: 33
Successful on second of 2 starts in bumpers and has shaped well both starts switched to hurdles, latterly finishing third of 8 upped to 2¾m at Newcastle (good to soft). The winner of that novice looks very useful and, with improvement likely, this 6-y-o is a big player.DateCourseDistGoingTypePosNewcastle2m 6fGood to Soft (Soft in places)Hurdle3/8Uttoxeter2m 3f 207yGood to SoftHurdle2/9Chepstow2m 11ySoftBumper1/6Hereford2m 53yGood to Soft (Good in places)Bumper2/11- 7Step AheadJ: Ciaran GethingsT: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls23-2Age 62/12/115/8
- OR: -
- EQ: Tongue strap
- Days Since Last Run: 21
Found just one too good first time out in a Haydock bumper in May 2024 and again placed sole start last season in a listed event at Ascot. It was also a positive start over hurdles for new connections (sold for £145,000) when second at Warwick (21f, soft) 3 weeks ago and he's open to improvement.DateCourseDistGoingTypePosWarwick2m 5f 5yGood to Soft (Soft in places)Hurdle2/11Ascot1m 7f 152yGood to SoftBumper3/14Haydock Park1m 7f 144yGood to Soft (Good to Soft in places)Bumper2/11- 4Kiwi RushJ: Jonathan BurkeT: Harry Derham612-4Age 63/15/211/4
- OR: -
- EQ: Tongue strap
- Days Since Last Run: 33
Winner of the second of his 3 starts in bumpers and showed plenty of promise on hurdling debut after 8 months off at Newbury (20.5f, good to soft) in November. Sure to come on for that and he's of strong interest for his in-form, up-and-coming yard.DateCourseDistGoingTypePosNewbury2m 4f 118ySoft (Good to Soft in places)Hurdle4/9Kelso2m 51yGood to SoftBumper2/10Kelso2m 51ySoft (Good to Soft in places)Bumper1/7Sandown Park1m 7f 216yGood to Soft (Good in places)Bumper6/10- 6Neon DreamJ: Tom BellamyT: Alan KingAge 615/28/17/1
- OR: -
- EQ: -
- Days Since Last Run: -
Cost £105,000 after decisively winning his sole completed start in Irish points and, as a half-brother to smart hurdler Shoot First (2½m-3m winner), he's certainly bred for this game. One to monitor closely in the betting.- 2Handin ManypocketsJ: Rex DingleT: Syd HosieAge 525/125/128/1
- OR: -
- EQ: -
- Days Since Last Run: -
Changed hands for £55,000 after finishing third on debut in a maiden point in November, but he faces a stiff task starting out under Rules in a very warm-looking maiden.- 5Minella MissionJ: Charlie DeutschT: D. J. JeffreysAge 728/128/125/1
- OR: -
- EQ: -
- Days Since Last Run: -
Brother to useful hurdle/chase winner Look To The West and winning hurdler Bembridge. Off the mark in Irish points when last seen in February and should have a future under Rules, but this is a tough starting point.- 8Walk TallJ: Harry CobdenT: Joe Tizzard2-87Age 633/133/140/1
- OR: -
- EQ: -
- Days Since Last Run: 13
Purchased for £120,000 after making a winning point debut in December 2024 and shaped well when runner-up in Exeter bumper on Rules debut last February. Hasn't shown a great deal in 2 starts over hurdles this season, though, and it's likely he'll be seen in a better light over fences in due course.DateCourseDistGoingTypePosAscot2m 5f 146ySoft (Good to Soft in places)Hurdle7/12Newbury2m 4f 118ySoft (Good to Soft in places)Hurdle8/9Exeter2m 161yHeavy (Soft in places)Bumper2/11- 1Can't Resist ItJ: Fern O'BrienT: Fergal O'Brien53/20-5Age 733/133/140/1
- OR: -
- EQ: Tongue strap
- Days Since Last Run: 20
Fair form in bumpers in Ireland and ran to a similar level when placed in maiden hurdles at Huntingdon and Market Rasen on first 2 starts for this yard in 2024. Wasn't disgraced back from a 13-month absence here (16.8f, good to soft) recently, but there will be easier opportunities than this.DateCourseDistGoingTypePosCheltenham2m 179yGood to SoftHurdle5/10Cheltenham2m 87yGood (Good to Soft in places)Hurdle15/15Market Rasen2m 125yGoodHurdle2/8Huntingdon1m 7f 171yGood to SoftHurdle3/14Thurles1m 7f 202ySoft (Yielding in places)Bumper5/14