Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 5m 14.42s

William Henry^p²⁷⁰

15/2

Shock winner of the 2019 Coral Cup at the Festival and backed that up with a solid effort in the Stayers' at Aintree. Has run many of his better races at this venue and not one to rule out, despite having to concede weight to all.

Form: 144/P14-

Quel Destin⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 146| C

12/1

Had been in fine form prior to his effort in a Grade 3 here in November. Probably paid the price for sitting near a quick pace that day and he may not be done improving just yet.

Form: 1115-18

Emitom²⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 147| D

5/2

Lost his unbeaten record behind Champ (runs earlier on the card) at Aintree when last seen in April. However, yard can get one ready off a break and this gelding rates as the type to go on improving.

Form: 1/11112-

Janika²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 158

9/4

Prolific in France and consistent since he's moved here, despite only winning once when landing a Grade 2 chase at Exeter. Fascinating contender back over hurdles and the step back up in trip ought to suit.

Form: 2224-14

Summerville Boy²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 150| C

10/1

2018's Supreme winner who made a solid start to life over fences when winning at Uttoxeter but made a bad mistake when falling at Sandown last time out. Struggled for form over hurdles last season and opposable at present.

Form: 474-61F

Roksana³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 151| CD

7/2

A fortunate winner of last season's Mares' Hurdle at the Festival and a shade disappointing in two runs this campaign, shaping as if amiss at Ascot last time. Likely to need improvement if she's going to figure.

Form: 2/312-25

Forecasts

Janika (9/4), Emitom (5/2), Roksana (7/2), William Henry (15/2), Summerville Boy (10/1), Quel Destin (12/1)

A trappy contest but Nicky Henderson has a good record in this race having won three of the last 10 renewals and he has a strong hand for this renewal. Slight preference is for WILLIAM HENRY who was a Festival winner here back in March and showed that he's up to this sort of level at Aintree in April. Stablemate Janika is an obvious threat now returned to hurdles. Quel Destin was a bit better than the bare result last time out and may be able to bounce back.