Ditcheat Thoroughbreds Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 4m 45.3s

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Selected odds by:

Qualando^p⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: A E Jones| OR: 137

10/1

Winner of the Fred Winter at Cheltenham in 2015 but no success since including when runner-up here in first time blinkers in April last year. Suffered two heavy defeats over fences the last twice and returns to hurdles on debut for a new yard here.

Form:

Zarib³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135

6/1

Successful over fences on his penultimate outing at Leicester in December but unconvincing at times over obstacles prior to falling at Cheltenham in January and interesting that connections revert to hurdles (placed off this mark in October) here.

Form:

The Unit³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 131

11/10

Winner over C&D on his penultimate outing and ran well when finishing runner-up in similar conditions subsequently, form that has been franked by the subsequent handicap success of the winner and looks likely to go well here as he makes his handicap debut.

Form:

Roadie Joe^p²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: T J O'Brien| T: Evan Williams| OR: 128

8/1

Rattled off a four timer in bumpers and over hurdles (including a graded event) in 2015 but sole success since came when odds-on favourite for a chase at Worcester last September. Had been headed when falling in first time cheekpieces last time out and interesting to see how he goes in them for the second time.

Form:

St Saviour^b⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 126

17/2

Finished a close third in first time cheekpieces at Hereford in December but unseated ride early onr when favourite next time out and well held in first time blinkers at Fontwell subsequently. Blinkers left on here and back off the same mark as for that Hereford third.

Form:

Volpone Jelois¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 121

4/1

Multiple Flat winner in France and successful here in December. Beaten twice here subsequently including off this mark over this trip in January but likely to run his race once more for top connections.

Form:

Forecasts

The Unit (11/10), Volpone Jelois (4/1), Zarib (6/1), Roadie Joe (8/1), St Saviour (17/2), Qualando (10/1)

ROADIE JOE can register his first success over hurdles since his days as a novice by taking this good quality handicap event for last years winning trainer. The selection showed signs of a return to form last time out and is taken to get the better of The Unit who's latest run has had a form boost since while Zarib is another representing a leading stable here and can claim third. 1. Roadie Joe 2. The Unit 3. Zarib