Betway Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 3m 40.90s

Shantou Express²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 140| D

11/5

Dual novice hurdle winner who left lesser effort in Grade 2 company in his wake when runner-up in a Wetherby handicap (2m) last month. 6 lb higher now but he should remain competitive.

Form: 221152

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Chti Balko²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 136| CD

8/1

Arrives here struggling for form at present but he's often gone particularly well here (easy winner in December) and no surprise to see a better showing having been given a chance by the handicapper.

Form: 4-615P6

Xcitations¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Kielan Woods| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 130| D

6/1

Raised his game this term, making it 2 wins from last 3 starts with a career-best display at Fakenham (2m) recently. Hit with a 10 lb rise now but hard to discount given manner of latest success.

Form: 7-27171

Vision Du Puy¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 127| D

11/4

Low-mileage mare who left opening pair of efforts in her wake this term when landing a 12-runner Stratford handicap (2m) in March. Feasible to think she can step up again.

Form: 1/30-741

Dino Velvet^p1²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King| OR: 125| D

15/2

Positive return from wind surgery when fourth in 2m Market Rasen listed handicap in September. Has yet to build on that though, and he's 2 years without a win. Cheekpieces reached for.

Form: 347734

Nordic Combined^v²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 121| C| D

9/1

Opened hurdles account at Taunton final run last term (1 lb below that mark now). Resolution when push comes to shove often missing with him though and latest Fontwell run was lacklustre. Visored now.

Form: 25F755

Da Vinci Hand^t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 117

22/1

9f winner on Flat in Italy in 2017 and successful in 2019/20 in French 4-y-o events over timber in 2019. Easy to back on belated return yard debut at Wetherby in March and entitled to be sharper now.

Form: P81-5

Forecasts

Shantou Express (11/5), Vision Du Puy (11/4), Xcitations (6/1), Dino Velvet (15/2), Chti Balko (8/1), Nordic Combined (9/1), Da Vinci Hand (22/1)

VISION DU PUY was revived all of a sudden when regaining the winning thread at Stratford (2m) recently, doing well to get up having been set a lot to do rounding the home turn. A low-mileage mare she may have even more to offer and gets the nod to follow up. Impressive Fakenham-scorer Xcitations and Shantou Express head the dangers, ahead of Chti Balko who may revive for a return to this venue.