**Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle Preview**
*November 19, Cheltenham, 2m½f*
Nemean Lion, once a Group 2-placed stayer under Andre Fabre, had a successful novice hurdle campaign last season. He achieved a notable second place in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle and went on to secure a Grade 2 victory at Kelso. His recent victory in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las set the stage for his Greatwood Handicap Hurdle challenge. A manageable 5lb rise in the weights followed his Welsh Champion Hurdle win. Notably, Nemean Lion has proven himself on testing ground, which means any rain leading up to the race will work in his favor.
Gin Coco, the runner-up in last year’s Greatwood, might return for another shot at glory. Trained by Harry Fry, this seven-year-old finished second to the late I Like To Move It in last year’s running. He’s had limited appearances since, finishing midfield in the County Hurdle at the festival and fifth to Nemean Lion in the Welsh Champion Hurdle. Another potential entrant is Lookaway, a Grade 2 novice hurdle winner at the October meeting, possibly making his handicap debut in the Greatwood. Dan and Harry Skelton, past winners of this race, could be represented by Knickerbockerglory. The Chelsea Thoroughbreds-owned gelding achieved a career-best Racing Post Rating with a recent victory at Ascot.
Here’s how the market stands for the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle:
– Nemean Lion at 7-1
– Anyharminasking at 10-1
– Blueking D’Oroux at 10-1
– Knickerbockerglory at 10-1
– Gin Coco at 11-1
– Under Control at 11-1
– Hansard at 12-1
– Iberico Lord at 12-1
– Lookaway at 12-1
– Luccia at 12-1
– Pembroke at 14-1
– Punctuation at 14-1
– Onlyamatteroftime at 14-1
– Magical Zoe at 14-1
– Sonigino at 14-1
– Byker at 16-1
– L’Eau de Sud at 16-1
– Black Poppy at 16-1
– Too Friendly at 16-1
– First Street at 16-1
– Afadil at 16-1
– Petit Tonnerre at 16-1
– Ovastle Des Mottes at 16-1
Keep in mind that odds may change as the race date approaches.