The Cheltenham November Meeting is fast approaching, and one of the standout races on the card is the fiercely competitive Greatwood Handicap Hurdle. A key test for hurdlers early in the season, this race often provides valuable insights into the stars to watch as the jump racing campaign unfolds.
With its rich history and reputation for producing future champions, the Greatwood is always a thrilling contest. As the anticipation builds, we take a look at the early favourites poised to make an impact and potentially carve out their path to festival success.
Dysart Enos – 7/2
Local trainer Fergal O’Brien has been making waves in the National Hunt Racing sphere in recent years, but he’s still on the hunt for his maiden Cheltenham Festival winner.
After winning all of her three starts over hurdles last season, Dysart Enos was the horse expected to end that drought back in March.
However, she was devastatingly ruled out of the Grade 2 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle on the penultimate ground after being found to be lame on the morning of the race.
Things didn’t go to plan at Aintree either, as unsuitable ground resulted in her withdrawal from the Top Novices’ Hurdle.
She’s a top-class mare, though, and has proven she can win after a break. You’d need to be brave to take her on at this Cheltenham Meeting.
Go Dante – 8/1
Some way behind Dysart Enos as the second favourite is Go Dante. The Olly Murphy-trained eight-year-old is a consistent performer, with top-three finishes in half of 12 starts over hurdles.
His best victory to date came in his penultimate start of last season at Sandown in March, beating Faivoir by a nose after finishing stronger in the final strides of the Imperial Cut.
Go Dante also won the Catesby Estates Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on his second start of the season, which is over a similar distance as the Greatwood but on the New Course.
It would take a massive improvement from Go Dante to get the better of Dysart Enos in this contest, especially with O’Brien’s runner receiving mares’ allowance.
Favour And Fortune – 9/1
Favour And Fortune ran some big races for Alan King in what was an impressive first season over hurdles last season.
He won three of his six starts, scoring on his jumps debut by 13 lengths at Hereford in October before following up with another comfortable victory at Wetherby in November.
King heightened his horse’s scope off the back of those two runs, and Favour and Fortune went close in a Grade 1 at Aintree and a Listed contest at Exeter—finishing runner-up in both.
His best victory came on his final appearance of the season, as he landed the Grade 2 Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr.
With an official rating of 141, Favour And Fortune could have a big weight to overcome if he is to upset the horse racing odds.
The James Owen-trained Burdett Road, who won the Listed Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket on the flat last month, and Nicky Henderson’s Under Control are both next in line at 10/1.
