Steve Ryder looks at the declared runners, previous race trends, and the latest betting insights for the 2025 Greatwood Hurdle.
The Greatwood Hurdle is a Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle run over 2m½f the November meeting at Cheltenham. This year run at 3:30 on Sunday 16th November.
Greatwood Hurdle Winners, Trends & Stats
Notable winners of this race are Champion Hurdle winner Rooster Booster and Arkle & Champion Chase winner Sizing Europe.
• 10 of the previous 12 winners were aged between 4 and 6
• 10 of the previous 12 winners were beaten on their previous start
• 9 of the previous 12 winners had at least 5 runs over hurdles
• 8 of the previous 12 winners had run at Cheltenham
• 8 of the previous 12 winners were rated 133 or higher
Greatwood Hurdle 2025 Runners Guide
Check out the Greatwood Hurdle 2025 Runners at the top of the betting for Sunday's race.
ALEXEI
Progressive hurdler who finished 2nd behind Celtic Dino in the Welsh Champion Hurdle on his reappearance. The Joe Tizzard trained five-year-old then won the Lavazza Handicap Hurdle at Ascot on his next start off the same mark of 127 by 3 lengths. He relishes good ground so connections have targeted this race prior to the ground turning soft but is now rated 7lbs higher.
CELTIC DINO
Will have been targeted at the Welsh Champion Hurdle for owner Dai Walters which he won by 2 ¼ lengths from the re-opposing Alexei. The Sam Thomas trained six-year-old is now rated 7lbs higher than that victory but the form of that victory was boosted by Alexei winning at Ascot on his next start.
MIRABAD
The six-year-old makes his stable debut for Dan Skelton here having moved from Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole. He won by 5 ½ lengths over 2m1f on the new course in December last season off a mark of 120 before slightly disappointing at Newbury in the William Hill Hurdle on his next start. He runs here off a mark of 129 but is likely to be primed for his reappearance.
GIBBS ISLAND
Tom Lacey trained four-year-old who is 3/5 over hurdles in his career. He beat the now 143 rated Give It To Me Oj in the Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle last season giving that rival 5lbs and comes here having won by 5 ½ lengths at Chepstow on his reappearance off a mark of 132. He runs here off an 8lb higher mark but should hold strong claims.
IBERICO LORD
Nicky Henderson trained seven-year-old has won on his previous two reappearance runs and comes here off a mark of 139. He was beaten 20 lengths, 43 lengths and 45 lengths on his final three starts last season though which is a slight concern.
Who is the betting favourite to win the 2025 Greatwood Hurdle?
| Greatwood Hurdle 2025 Winner | Best Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic Dino | 7/1 | William Hill |
| Alexei | 7/1 | William Hill |
| Mirabad | 7/1 | bet365 |
| Gibbs Island | 10/1 | bet365 |
| Iberico Lord | 12/1 | Betfred |
| Helnwein | 16/1 | Sky Bet & Paddy Power |
| Bowensonfire | 16/1 | bet365 |
| Leloopa | 20/1 | Sky Bet & Paddy Power |
| Putapoundinthejar | 20/1 | Ladbrokes/Coral |
| Serious Challenge | 20/1 | bet365 |
Odds last updated at 14:00, Tuesday 11th November.
Midnite
Greatwood Hurdle Trainers & Jockeys To Watch
Of the trainers with runners entered in this race this year, the best record is held by Dan Skelton who won it with North Hill Harvey (2016) and West Cork (2021) and Alan King who won it with Elgin (2017) and Harambe (2019).
Both Harry Skelton (2016 & 2021) and Harry Cobden (2015 & 2024) have won this race twice recently with the latter available for an outside ride this year.
Betting Insights and Betting Tip for the Greatwood Hurdle
The Dan Skelton stable remain in fantastic form and this race will have no doubt been the target for MIRABAD (best priced at 7/1) on his stable debut. The six-year-old was an impressive 5 ½ length winner over 2m1f on the new course last season in December under an aggressive front running ride and Harry Skelton is expected to try to repeat those tactics in this race. A mark of 129 could still underestimate him and he is respected for the Skelton team who won this in 2016 and 2021.
Mirabad has also been the most popular ante-post bet on Oddschecker over the past seven days, picking up 19% of all bets on our platform. Alexei is next with a 17% bet share.
