Porto Racing Saddlery Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:45 | Winning time: 4m 4.30s

Apres Le Deluge¹⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: H Morrison| OR: 114| D

5/4

Bumper winner on his only start in that sphere at Hereford (powered clear) before being off almost a year. Failed to match a promising hurdles debut (decent race) when last seen at Leicester; still has potential stepping into handicaps (first-time).

Form: 1/44-

Cardigan Bay^h,t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 113| CD

5/2

Bumper winner who having run well in novices' over hurdles found the winning thread again over C&D off an 8lb lower mark (held off a fellow improver). Not seen to best effect last time (poorly positioned); still has potential, travels well.

Form: 032315-

Steel Helmet²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: S Bowen| T: H Bethell| OR: 96

20/1

Lightly-raced over hurdles but his Flat profile (1-25) isn't a particularly compelling one with his hurdles second last time over C&D flattering him. May do better in handicaps but has work to do from this sort of mark.

Form: 89P/2-

Twycross Warrior⁴^{(ex 7)}

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Ceris Biddle⁽¹⁰⁾| T: R Dickin| OR: 88| D

7/4

Built on his recent promise and attracted support when showing improved form to get off the mark recently at Uttoxeter (forged clear). Could well be more to come given his age and how lightly-raced he is; well-in under his penalty.

Form: 47/P6-51

Non-Runners

Welland⁵⁶

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: Mrs P Sly J: Kielan Woods

Forecasts

Apres Le Deluge (5/4), Twycross Warrior (7/4), Cardigan Bay (5/2), Welland (6/1), Steel Helmet (20/1)

Just the five are scheduled to go to post but it should provide a good contest with TWYCROSS WARRIOR taken to shake off his penalty for winning at Uttoxeter on Saturday and follow up what was an impressive 14L win and provide the Dickin yard with another welcome winner. It won’t be easy though as Apres Le Deluge can boast some strong novice form especially his fourth on hurdles debut behind Bright Forecast who went on to be placed in the Ballymore at Cheltenham. Cardigan Bay adds further strength in depth a previous C&D winner she’ll be hopefully of being better when the dash for home begins this time than she was at Warwick.