15:10 cheltenham Thursday 1st January 2026

Previous course winner ACE OF SPADES (4) remains unexposed. Could be suited by the way this is run. The Dan Skelton-trained hurdler won nicely at Aintree making his reappearance before finishing a very creditable fourth in a 3m1/2f handicap at Haydock last time. Holds major claims off the same mark. MA SHANTOU (2) was bitterly disappointing in that Haydock handicap. That effort was too bad to be true and is better judged on his impressive course and distance success prior. SPIKE JONES (5) did well to finish third tackling a track and trip handicap hurdle twenty days ago. Must be considered off the same mark. PIKE ROAD (7) also needs to be included.