It’s finally here—the 2024/25 jump season.

And that means only one thing: the countdown to the Cheltenham Festival has begun.

We’re off to Chepstow for the traditional curtain raiser, and the Grade 2 Unibet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle.

A bit of shine has come off the race with ante-post favourite Teeshan and second favourite Brechin Castle not being declared. 

But that now leaves it wide open for connections to bag an early season Grade 2.

Now, let’s delve deeper into the first graded race of the season with my runner-by-runner betting guide.

Persian War Novices’ Hurdle: Runner by runner guide

Now it’s time to take a in-dept looking into runners of the Persian War Novices’ Hurdle and the best horse racing bookmakers to help you make a winning bet.

Intense Approach

Age: 5

Form: P-F211

Jockey: Harry Cobden

Trainer: John McConnell

Odds: 10/3

I can’t have Intense Approach as the favorite for the Persian War, let alone the winner.

There was a lot of talk about him at this point last season, but I remember watching him in a maiden hurdle at Wexford in November of last year. I came away thinking that he doesn’t want to know about it after his heavy fall at the last.

He was then pulled up in a Grade 2 hurdle at Kelso in March, presumably still feeling the effects of his experience at Wexford.

Another fall awaited him on his seasonal return at Bellewstown, followed by a defeat at the hands of Sept Out (who was well beaten next time out).

It took him dropping down to a poor maiden hurdle to finally get off the mark, and even then, he followed it up with a less than convincing round of jumping at Kelso, at odds of 1/3.

At no point will you feel comfortable backing Intense Approach here. His jumping leaves a lot to be desired, and he’s now up against horses operating at a much higher level than what he’s faced in his last two races.

He has to be taken on at the current prices.

Has won back-to-back races

A poor jumper

Star Rating:

Bet on Intense Approach with talkSPORT BET

Ryan’s Rocket

Age: 6

Form: /021-1

Jockey: Johnny Burke

Trainer: Fergal O’Brien

Odds: 10/3

A more than disappointing start to last season was quickly put behind Ryan’s Rocket with a 50/1 2nd behind Fiercely Proud (2nd and 3rd in Grade 2s since) at Taunton.

Back at Taunton in March this year, he got off the mark, but it was his performance at Kempton where he really laid down a marker for the potential he may have.

It was a win where he never looked in any trouble, and it was all over bar the shouting two out.

That was a decent race for the time of year, with Excelero (who was 11 lengths behind Sir Gino, a Grade 1 winner, and 2 lengths behind Salver, 3rd in the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle) finishing over 8 lengths behind him on the day.

Fergal O’Brian has a habit of starting the season strong, and if he can get more improvement out of Ryan’s Rocket on his first start this season, then he’s a force to be reckoned with here.

Should have a lot more to come
Could get an easy lead

Lacks race fitness

Star Rating:

Bet on Ryans Rocket with BetMGM

Flying Fortune

Age: 5

Form: 2-2111

Jockey: James Bowen

Trainer: Peter & Michael Bowen

Odds: 4/1

Flying Fortune has blossomed over 2m4f since her comeback in June.

She narrowly lost out to the fast-improving Gale Mahler on her return (who has since won a Listed hurdle by 10 lengths) at Uttoxeter, but she hasn’t put a foot wrong since.

Having won three races in a row, she has jumped from a mark of 109 to 121, and based on her latest victory, there’s still more improvement to come.

She’s an uncomplicated mare who travels strongly behind the bridle, jumps well, and when asked for her effort, puts her head down all the way to the line.

I’d be surprised if she doesn’t go off as the favorite here, and she’s the clear pick for me in the Persian War.

This could be a great start to the season for this father-and-son combo.

A fast improving mare
Uncomplicated

Heavy ground would not be ideal

Star Rating:

Bet on Flying Fortunw with Spreadex

Juventus De Brion

Age: 5

Form: 33-

Jockey: Harry Skelton

Trainer: Dan Skelton

Odds: 6/1

He’s definitely the most unexposed one in the field and could have any amount of improvement in him.

Even though he has yet to finish better than 3rd in his two runs, he was an eye-catching, staying-on 3rd behind Pic Roc and Inthewarterside in a competitive novice hurdle at Ascot.

The Skeltons are more than capable of getting one ready first time out, and given that this race has been blown wide open, it’s now a very winnable Grade 2 for this lightly raced gelding.

It wouldn’t be a shock if he were to get his head in front here. He’s a lively contender.

Light raced
Can improve in his 3rd at Ascot

Wouldn’t want a slow run race based on his strong staying on 3rd at Ascot
Lacks race fitness

Star Rating:

Bet on Juventus De Brion with VBET

Vincenzo

Age: 6

Form: 32431-

Jockey: Dylan Johnson

Trainer: Sam Thomas

Odds: 9/1

This local runner will not be without his supporters, but I feel he will find at least two too good for him here.

He has already finished behind Juventus De Brion, and I suspect that the latter has more improvement in him where he can uphold the Ascot form.

He’s sure to have been primed for this, but for me, he lacks a bit for the win.

Will be primed for this

Held by Juventus De Brion

Bet on Vincenzo with Copybet

Handlethekettle

Age: 5

Form: FF-21

Jockey: Gavin Sheehan

Trainer: Jamie Snowden

Odds: 14/1

Having fallen twice in point-to-points, Handlethekettle put in a promising display behind the talented Feud in a Listowel maiden.

That performance was enough to convince his new connections to part with their cash and acquire the son of Youmzain.

Now in the care of Jamie Snowden, Handlethekettle wasted no time in getting his head in front with a win at Worcester. He did sweat up before the start that day, so it would be encouraging to see him more relaxed before the start here.

He’s very much a player at the current prices, as I believe we’ll look back on his 2nd behind Feud in more glowing terms as the season progresses.

Has a lot more to offer

Sweated up at the start before his last win

Star Rating:

Bet on Handlethekettle with SBK

Bullets Hill

Age: 6

Form: 311-P6

Jockey: Nick Scholfield

Trainer: Ella Prickard

Odds: 50/1

As the betting suggests, Bullets Hill has a lot to find with his rivals in terms of figures and form.

He’s the most exposed in the lineup, and a clear round is the best you can hope for.

Nothing he has achieved up to this point suggests that he’s anywhere near this level.

Hard to find any

Out of his depth

Star Rating:

Bet on Bullets Hill with Betfred

Persian War Novices’ Hurdle Verdict

The excitement for this race gets us every year, and even though it tends not to produce a top-level horse for the rest of the season, someone still has to win it, and I want to side with the mare Flying Fortune.

Getting weight from all her rivals and being in the form of her life, Flying Fortune has a lot going for her today.

Further progress should see her right there at the finish, just ahead of Ryan’s Rocket.

Also, don’t rule out a big run from Handlethekettle at a price.

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