Who wins the Greatwood? Assessing the key contenders for Sunday's big race

Sunday's Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (2.55 Cheltenham) is the final highlight of the three-day November meeting, with the gambled-on Thousand Tears the favourite to give trainer Emmet Mullins a second win in the race in the last three runnings. Here we assess his claims, along with four other leading contenders.

Thousand Tears

Form F340U-

Strengths Twice a winner for John Burke and ran with promise on his debut for Emmet Mullins when ninth on the Flat at the Galway festival behind Dads Lad, who has gone on to boost the form considerably.

Weaknesses The bare form suggests he has plenty to find to be a lively contender in this race but his connections are renowned for conjuring plenty of improvement in their runners.

Odds 4-1

Dads Lad

Form 51151

Strengths Huge improver on the Flat and over jumps already this year with four wins from his last five starts, including when winning a valuable handicap chase at the track's showcase meeting last month. Races off a lower mark over hurdles.

Weaknesses Seems to be more prolific over fences than he is hurdles and needs to be able to translate his chase form into this sphere.

Odds 5-1

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer (in Racing Post stable tour): "He doesn't owe us anything after doing so much already this season. Having won a nice handicap chase at Cheltenham in October, he'll likely head back there again this month. The Greatwood Handicap Hurdle would look a live possibility as he can mix it between hurdles and fences."

Dads Lad: a winner at Cheltenham last monthCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Sonigino

Form 455-11

Strengths Has stepped forward this season since having wind surgery with two impressive wins at Chepstow last month, including when a 13-length winner on his last start.

Weaknesses Those wins still suggest a step up in improvement is required to be competitive here; struggled in Listed company in Britain last season.

Odds 6-1

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer (in his Racing Post stable tour): "I never had any doubt he was capable of winning races off his handicap mark and he's won twice at Chepstow, comfortably the first time and very impressively last time. I had to run him a second time as he went up only 4lb for the first win and wasn't rated high enough to be guaranteed a run in the Greatwood Hurdle, his main objective. He'll get in now, no problem!"

I Like To Move It

Form 11520-

Strengths Has a fine Cheltenham record (won the Grade 2 novice hurdle on the card last year) and was just shy of being a top-class novice last season. Only narrowly touched off when second in the Betfair Hurdle.

Weaknesses Bitterly disappointing on his last start when well fancied for the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Odds 8-1

Nina The Terrier

Form 302-2F

Strengths Classy novice hurdler in the mares' division last season, finishing placed in Grade 2 company on two occasions and has finished in the first three on seven of her ten starts over hurdles.

Weaknesses Not a prolific winner and disappointed on her only start at the track in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle on the New course. Must bounce back from a nasty-looking fall at Wetherby.

Odds 10-1

What they say

Alan King, trainer (in his Racing Post Weekender column): "She made a good start to the season at Chepstow and was travelling well when falling three out at Wetherby. She's fine and is probably better over two and a half so we're likely to step her up in trip again and I hope she'll be one for all the good mares' hurdles."

Other contenders

Last year's winner West Cork heads the weights and could make his return to hurdles having finished second to Stage Star on his chase debut last time. Teddy Blue was a 20-length winner on his last start at Fontwell, while the likes of Current Mood, Gin Coco and A Different Kind are all progressive handicappers.

Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (2.55 Cheltenham, Sunday)

Paddy Power: 4-1 Thousand Tears, 5 Dads Lad, 6 Sonigino, 8 I Like To Move It, 10 Current Mood, Nina The Terrier, Teddy Blue, West Cork, 12 Gin Coco, 14 A Different Kind, First Impression, Mark Of Gold, 16 bar

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