17:00 Cheltenham

Wednesday 14 April 2021

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

Cheltenham Pony Racing Authority Graduates Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys And Amateur Riders)

Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 4m 3.97s

Oakley¹¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Ben Jones⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 136

9/2

Useful and consistent hurdler who was better than the result when sixth in hot handicap at Ascot 116 days ago. One to consider back from a break with Ben Jones taking 3 lb off.

Form: 3270-36

Nelson River^p1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Tudor⁽³⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 130| CD

11/1

Didn't have much chance in the Coral Cup last time but is at least edging down the weights and cheekpieces are tried on this C&D winner now.

Form: 559-470

Storm Rising^b⁴⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 127| C| D

20/1

Fairly useful but enigmatic hurdler who has a bit to prove returning from 15 months off, acknowledging he's on a reasonable mark.

Form: 20F414-

Hooper³²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Mr Ben Ffrench Davis⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 122

7/2

Proving ultra-consistent, adding to his tally in a jumpers bumper prior to getting off the mark over hurdles at Hereford (19.6f) a month ago, albeit fortunate when leader came down. Solid claims.

Form: 122211

Elham Valley^t²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Liam Harrison⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 127

15/8

Fairly useful on Flat and made successful hurdling debut at Sandown. Firmly back on the up when third in the Fred Winter 29 days ago. Makes plenty of appeal despite 3 lb rise.

Form: 1433

Nordic Combined^v¹¹

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

10/1

Posted a creditable effort when runner-up at Haydock 11 days ago but, based on his overall profile, he's no certainty to back it up.

Form: 5F7552

Speed Company^p1³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: C J Todd⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 118

20/1

Becoming well treated and wasn't disgraced returning from 3 months off on the Flat at Southwell recently, so one to consider with cheekpieces fitted.

Form: 3/175-60

Sarasota Star²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Rex Dingle| T: M Keighley| OR: 117| D

9/1

Low-mileage hurdler who landed back-to-back 17f handicap wins at Carlisle in the autumn and returned to form after 3 months off when second to an improver at Fakenham last time. One to consider.

Form: 3-31102

Non-Runners

Zurekin⁴

Weight: 12-7| Age: 5

T: Mrs S Leech J: Luca Morgan

French Crusader⁵⁰¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: N J Henderson J: Alfie Jordan

Forecasts

Elham Valley (15/8), Hooper (7/2), Oakley (9/2), French Crusader (9/2), Sarasota Star (9/1), Nordic Combined (10/1), Nelson River (11/1), Zurekin (14/1), Speed Company (20/1), Storm Rising (20/1)

ELHAM VALLEY ran a cracker in the Fred Winter and is fancied to land this weaker event. The likeable Hooper should make an impression returning to handicaps, while his stablemate French Crusader is worth considering for all he has to overcome another lengthy absence.