Betway Kingwell Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 3m 46.7s

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Selected odds by:

Irving¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 156

16/1

Runner-up in this in 2015 but flopped when odds-on for last year's renewal. However, returned as good as ever when landing a second Grade 1 Fighting Fifth at Newcastle in November. Two below par efforts since temper enthusiasm.

Form: 164-1F3

Rayvin Black^p¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Thomas Garner| T: O Sherwood| OR: 141

25/1

Experienced campaigner, better than ever when winning this race 12 months ago (weaker renewal) and again had Irving behind when chasing home Buveur D'Air at Sandown last time. Respected but vulnerable.

Form: 216-420

Yanworth^p1²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Geraghty| T: A King| OR: 164

2/5

Rising star who shot to the forefront of the Champion Hurdle betting when impressively making it six wins from seven attempts in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. Reportedly fully recovered from a slight setback and the one to beat with first-time cheekpieces employed.

Form: 11112-1

Ch'tibello²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 149

8/1

Sprung to prominence when winning a Grade 2 event at Ayr last spring and also landed a valuable event in the mud at Haydock in November. Good effort behind Yanworth at Kempton and easier ground combined with a 4lb pull makes him a contender.

Form: 231-351

Sceau Royal⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: D A Jacob| T: A King| OR: 155

4/1

Three-time juvenile winner last year but came up short in the Grade 1's. Returned to win at Cheltenham in October and was much too strong for Rayvin Black over C&D next time before undone by testing conditions behind Irving at Newcastle. Refreshed by a short break and looks like a leading contender.

Form: 106-114

Melodic Rendezvous^p¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 138

80/1

Winner of this race in 2014 but has never quite kicked on from there and invariably comes up short in graded company these days. Pulled up over a longer trip at Uttoxeter last time and is hard to fancy.

Form: 25P-24P

Non-Runners

Seven Nation Army²⁶

Weight: 11-2| Age: 8

T: Alexandra Dunn J: R P McLernon

Forecasts

Yanworth (2/5), Sceau Royal (4/1), Ch'tibello (8/1), Irving (16/1), Rayvin Black (25/1), Melodic Rendezvous (80/1), Seven Nation Army (100/1)

All eyes will be on Alan King's big Champion Hurdle hope YANWORTH as he puts the finishing touches to his Cheltenham preparation, having being re-routed here after a slight setback. On official figures he should have little trouble adding to his tally, though Ch'tibello showed enough when only five-and-a-half lengths behind at Kempton that he shouldn't be underestimated on 4lb better terms. Alan King's other runner, Sceau Royal, is better than he showed behind Irving at Newcastle last time and can also make his presence felt. 1. Yanworth 2. Ch'tibello 3. Sceau Royal