15:50 Cheltenham

Wednesday 14 April 2021

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Jockey Club Cheltenham And SW Syndicate Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 5m 57.1s

Ask Dillon^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Liam Harrison⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 144| D

5/1

Drawn a blank since his novice season but he's posted 5 very solid efforts in staying handicap hurdles this season, keeping on for sixth in the Pertemps over C&D last month. Same mark here.

Form: F42246

No Comment^h,t²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 136

25/1

Let down by his jumping over fences last term and back in reasonable form over hurdles this season. That said, his losing sequence stretches over 4 years and he was disappointing in the Pertemps.

Form: FF-52F0

Welsh Saint^p1⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 135| D

12/1

Useful hurdler who showed promise at the second attempt over fences when third in a Ffos Las novice. No telling impact back in a handicap in February and now back over timber with headgear fitted.

Form: 310-U34

Storm Goddess^t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 134

10/1

Multiple hurdles winner, the latest in 21f Kempton handicap (21f) in November. Didn't get very far before unseating rider in the Pertemps but right back to best when runner-up at Newbury 19 days ago.

Form: 4145U2

Diese Des Bieffes²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133| C

22/1

Useful novice hurdler for Nicky Henderson in 2017/18, winning 3 times. Held when carried out on chase/yard debut at Wincanton in December and needed to see more both starts since.

Form: 551/P38

Aaron Lad¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Cillin Leonard⁽⁷⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 132| CD

11/1

Useful winning hurdler who landed 3-runner novice chase at Exeter in January 2020. Fell a month later and though he posted a sound comeback fourth over hurdles 19 days ago, he was seen to good effect.

Form: 6/P31F-4

Dolciano Dici^t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Miss H C Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: B Barr| OR: 130

100/1

Failed to win for Willie Mullins early in his career and suffered a heavy defeat in the Martin Pipe last month. Others more persuasive tackling a new trip.

Form: 46-2460

Trincomalee³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: L Wadham| OR: 130

9/1

Overcame mistakes despite switching to hurdling when doubling career tally over obstacles at Plumpton (25f) a month ago. Up 5 lb without a conditional on so this clearly a lot harder.

Form: U44731

Encore Champs⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 129

3/1

Fairly useful winning hurdler who matched that form over fences last term for Warren Greatrex. Had a breathing operation prior to shaping quite well on February's debut for Dan Skelton. Player.

Form: 2617P-5

Ballon Onabudget¹³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 128

11/1

Rather fortunate winner at Newton Abbot (26.5f, good) in September, but that was still an improved display and fourth-place finish at Newbury was creditable. Off 5 months but yard in good order.

Form: F-23184

The Domino Effect^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 123| D

9/2

Reportedly bled when below form in a Kempton novice but quickly back on the up in first-time cheekpieces when opening account at Chepstow 3 weeks ago. More required back in a handicap.

Form: 73-3261

Apple Rock³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: K Brogan⁽⁵⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 122| BF

11/1

Improving 7-y-o who added third handicap success to tally at Carlisle (19.3f) in February, clearing away from a low-mileage sort. Held up in a slowly-run race at Sandown, so likely remains in form.

Form: 146116

Non-Runners

Perfect Man²

Weight: 11-0| Age: 10

T: Mrs S Leech J: Adrian Heskin

Forecasts

Encore Champs (3/1), The Domino Effect (9/2), Ask Dillon (5/1), Trincomalee (9/1), Storm Goddess (10/1), Apple Rock (11/1), Ballon Onabudget (11/1), Aaron Lad (11/1), Welsh Saint (12/1), Diese Des Bieffes (22/1), No Comment (25/1), Perfect Man (33/1), Dolciano Dici (100/1)

ENCORE CHAMPS is well handicapped on the pick of his chase form for Warren Greatrex, and having shaped well on February's debut for Dan Skelton, there should be more to come over hurdles. Ask Dillon is a very reliable operator, while Welsh Saint could easily spring back to life in first-time cheekpieces.