Odds, trends and tips for the 2024 Greatwood Handicap Hurdle [Updated on 15/11/24
This handicap hurdle headlines the card at Cheltenham on Sunday 17th November
Teddy Blue is our ante-post selection
We're also going to back Dysart Enos
Expired
The Greatwood Hurdle. (Getty)
The November Meeting draws to a close at Cheltenham on Sunday afternoon, where the card is headlined by the Greatwood Hurdle. This Grade Three handicap was often used as a launching pad for Champion Hurdle hopefuls, with the likes of Rooster Booster and Sizing Europe winning this handicap before collecting Grade One honours later in the season.
Here's our free guide to the 2024 Greatwood, including the latest odds, some key recurring trends and our best betting tips.
2024 Greatwood Handicap Hurdle Trends
16 of the last 17 winners had 0 or 1 handicap hurdle wins
15 of the last 17 winners had run in a Grade 1 or a Grade 2
14 of the last 17 winners carried 11-06 or less (10 of the last 12 carried 11-00 or less)
14 of the last 17 winners were aged between 4 and 6
14 of the last 17 winners went off at 12/1 or shorter
14 of the last 17 winners were second-season hurdlers
13 of the last 17 winners had no more than 8 previous runs over hurdles
12 of the last 17 winners had run at Cheltenham before
10 of the last 17 winners had won over further than 2m
9 of the last 17 winners had run at least once that season (6 of the last 10)
2024 Greatwood Handicap Hurdle Odds
Name
Odds
Dysart Enos
5/2
Burdett Road
5/1
Go Dante
8/1
Under Control
9/1
Be Aware
12/1
Bar
14/1
Dysart Enos is undoubtedly a worthy favourite. Fergal O'Brien ran his mare in three lesser races last term, with the aim of going into the Mares' Novices' Hurdle without a penalty. Sadly, Dysart Enos missed the entire spring campaign, meaning she'll make her debut in the Greatwood off what could be a lowly mark of just 131.
It's been almost a decade since we saw three four-year-olds win the Greatwood in a five-year stretch. Burdett Road will be aiming to break that barron run for the younger generation and a reproduction of the superb display he produced in the Triumph Trial at this meeting 12 months ago would put James Owen's star bang in the picture.
Go Dante has to be in with a chance, if the handicapper hasn't got a grip of him off this mark of 134. Be Aware is the sort of progressive hurdler that Dan Skelton would aim at a big handicap like this, but he said in a recent stable tour that Harry Skelton's mount will only run if there's a little easing in the ground - which seems unlikely, based on the forecast.
2024 Greatwood Hurdle Ante-Post Tip - Teddy Blue
With yard debutantes running in handicaps, Harry Derham strikes at over 50%. This statistic has been made public knowledge recently, making TEDDY BLUE'S (20/1) current odds all the more surprising.
Teddy Blue isn't the sort of unexposed type who I would typically back in the Greatwood. Derham's recruit ran 18 times over hurdles for Gary Moore, winning twice while also placing in both the Betfair Hurdle and the Swinton back in 2023.
Paul O'Brien's mount has, however, only won once in handicap company and moves to Berkshire having endured a barren campaign in 2023/24. Teddy Blue managed to finish inside the places just once in seven starts, ending his time with the Moores on another low note at Haydock.
I've always been convinced that there's untapped ability in Teddy Blue, who'll make his debut for Derham running off a much-reduced mark of 127. Derham's six-year-old has shown a liking for good ground in the past and his two wins over hurdles have come going left-handed.
Paddy Brennan riding Dysart Enos (dark blue/stars) clear the last to win The British EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. (Getty)
2024 Greatwood Hurdle Tip 2 - Dysart Enos
With Teddy Blue covered, I'm going to have some sort of bet on DYSART ENOS (5/2). Of those near the head of the betting, Fergal O'Brien's mare really is the stand-out.
Fergal was desperate to go into the Mares' Novices' Hurdle without a penalty, which resulted in Dysart Enos running in three mediocre novice hurdles. Jonny Burke's mount won all three without fully extending herself and would surely have given Golden Ace a good race at the Cheltenham Festival, has she not been lame the day before the contest.
In a quotes piece leading up to Sunday's feature, O'Brien has said that the Greatwood has been the plan for Dysart Enos ever since she was given this mark of 131 by the handicapper. I like Burdett Road and Be Aware is interesting, but I don't think either will beat the market leader.
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