Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 5m 12.0s

Valgor Du Ronceray^t⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 12-6| J: Finian O'Toole⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 122

7/1

Failed to complete in 2 out of 3 chase starts for current yard. Formerly trained by Jospeh O'Brien in Ireland where won 2m maiden hurdle last August. Not a certain stayer at this trip, but yard had 3 wins in last 9 days.

Form: U31U4F

Aaron Lad¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 114| BF

11/8

In fair form and went close at Catterick last time on handicap debut off this mark over similar trip. Stable in form, and remains open to further improvement. Major chance here.

Form: 2-FP322

Judge Earle²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Billy Garritty⁽⁷⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 110| C

7/2

Won bumper here in May, then made good start over hurdles finishing second at Wetherby. Disappointing since then, although only faded late on handicap bow at Kelso last time. 3lb lower now so shouldn't be far away.

Form: 7-12663

Danceintothelight^t⁴²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Abbie McCain⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 110| CD

7/1

Winner of 10-115 starts. Grand servant to connections but has struggled since winning over C&D last summer. 7lb lower than three starts ago so approaching the right mark and any market interest would be noteworthy.

Form: 126446

Nicely Indeed^h¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 110

8/1

Dual bumper winner in 2015 and intially showed promise in novice hurdles. Hasn't won over timber though in 10 attempts and badly out of form last four starts. Eased 5lb since last run but it may not be enough.

Form: 225848

Rock Of Leon^p⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 109| D

7/1

On his fifth trainer in last 3 1/2 years. Runner-up in C&D selling hurdle on penultimate start but ran badly on A/W last week. Dropped 2lb and good confditional on board but others make more appeal.

Form: UUP-P82

Forecasts

Aaron Lad (11/8), Judge Earle (7/2), Danceintothelight (7/1), Rock Of Leon (7/1), Valgor Du Ronceray (7/1), Nicely Indeed (8/1)

This looks a good opportunity for AARON LAD to get his head in front for an in-form yard. He held every chance until fading late on at Catterick last week and this looks a slightly easier event. Judge Earle hinted he might be running back into form when third at Kelso last time and won't be far away, while top weight Valgor Du Ronceray reverts to timber and may do better as a result. Veteran Danceintothelight goes well here and will also give his supporters a run for thier money.