Betfred Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 5m 59.0s

Agrapart²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Lizzie Kelly| T: Nick Williams| OR: 161

4/7

Well suited by 3m on heavy ground which he confirmed when beating Wholestone in a Grade 2 hurdle at Cheltenham last time. Slight drop in trip is not ideal, but underfoot conditions will suit and he has a leading chance.

Form: 39-7721

Zarkandar^b,t⁸⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 147| CD

20/1

Top-class performer at his best, but not as good as he was and was pulled up in a valuable handicap won by a subsequent Grade 1 winner at this track last time. Had an impossible task trying to give weight away all round that day.

Form: 57170-P

Boite²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 148

4/1

Well backed when landing a valuable handicap at Taunton on his first outing following a wind operation. Steps up in trip, but seems to stay well enough on the Flat and is not without hope facing his stiffest hurdling task so far.

Form: 5803-21

Donna's Diamond²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Callum Bewley| T: C Grant| OR: 140| CD

7/1

Returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines to bolt up in a C&D handicap last time. Much more to do at this level, but handles underfoot conditions and could figure if avoiding the dreaded "bounce" factor.

Form: P44/U4-1

No Hassle Hoff³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 140| BF| D

10/1

Not disgraced when fourth over C&D in November (Zarkandar pulled up), but was a disappointing favourite at Warwick on his only subsequent start. Plenty to prove following that performance.

Form: 224-149

Forecasts

Agrapart (4/7), Boite (4/1), Donna's Diamond (7/1), No Hassle Hoff (10/1), Zarkandar (20/1)

Boite looked an improved performer at Taunton following wind surgery and can make his presence felt in this better contest, but AGRAPART sets a clear standard after his victory in a stronger race at Cheltenham and will be difficult to beat if replicating that display. Zarkandar is not the force of old, Donna's Diamond is stepping up markedly in class and No Hassle Hoff disapppointed last time and needs to bounce back.