Ladbrokes Welsh Champion Hurdle (Limited Handicap)

Off time: 16:27 | Winning time: 3m 51.5s

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Selected odds by:

The New One¹⁷⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Zac Baker⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 160| BF| D

2/1

Top-class on his day, figuring prominently in the last four Champion Hurdles alongside 15 hurdles victories. Probably not quite the force of old but goes well fresh, handles soft ground and dangerous to discount despite his big weight.

Form: 121534-

Sire De Grugy²⁹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 147| D

8/1

Very smart over fences (former Champion Chase winner) and still competitive at the top end early last season before a setback curtailed his campaign. Fascinating to see him reappear over hurdles for the first time in five years. Respected.

Form: 84/712U-

Clyne²⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 147| CD

2/1

Few miles on the clock and won four on the bounce before finding The New one 1L too good at Haydock (soft) in January. Has run well in a big handicap at Newbury since and likely to make presence felt if tuned up.

Form: 11/1123-

Rons Dream¹⁸³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 141| BF| CD

13/2

Won a Warwick Listed mares' contest in February (2m5f, heavy) for the best of her five hurdle victories but held in better company towards the end of last season. This trip is very much on the sharp side for her return.

Form: 2P1805-

Ozzie The Oscar¹⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 138| D

9/2

Tremendous run to be third in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, having won four earlier races on good and soft ground. Held off this mark on his final start last term but open to progress this season and respected with yard going well.

Form: 21P430-

Remiluc^t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Harry Reed⁽⁷⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 135| D

12/1

Fair sort who gained the best of his three wins at Newbury (2m, soft) in March and also shaped nicely on his reappearance when a close fourth at Fontwell. Can win more races but big ask here from out of the handicap.

Form: 26108-4

Forecasts

The New One (2/1), Clyne (2/1), Ozzie The Oscar (9/2), Rons Dream (13/2), Sire De Grugy (8/1), Remiluc (12/1)

Former Champion Chase winner Sire de Grugy is a fascinating runner here but another classy old favourite The New One looks a better alternative with plenty in his favour. That said, Nigel Twiston-Davies' stalwart was pushed to 1L by CLYNE in a tremendous tussle in the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock last season and Evan Williams' progressive gelding is weighted to turn the tables if fully tuned up for his reappearance.