Champions Day Form Study On attheraces.com/ascot Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:33 | Winning time: 5m 5.98s

Voice Of Hope^p¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: James Best| T: M Young| OR: 117| D

25/1

Off the mark over hurdles in a Kilbeggan maiden in July. Shaped better than the distance beaten starting out for new connections at Sedgefield (19.8f) last month, but more will be needed here.

Form: 221434

Welland²⁹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 112| C

4/1

Opened account in 2m handicap hurdle here a couple of years ago. Close second on last season's reappearance, but well held on sole subsequent start at Doncaster and opposable back from 9 months off.

Form: 3715/26-

Soldier On Parade^b,t¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 112

4/1

Front runner who bagged 3 juvenile events at Market Rasen in 2020. Mixed bag since, but put in a good shift when runner-up at Sedgefield (19.8f) recently and he's a big player off the same mark here.

Form: P-54532

Envol De La Cour¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: M Scudamore| OR: 108| D

11/4

Market Rasen winner last November and there were positives to glean from last month's efforts at Uttoxeter and Worcester. Should make his presence felt.

Form: 1-27P73

Cremant^p⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 107

11/4

Gained breakthrough success under Rules in Stratford handicap hurdle last term. Solid efforts in defeat the last twice, latterly third off this mark at Newton Abbot (21.6f), and he merits respect.

Form: 10-4523

The Knot Is Tied²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: N B King| OR: 104

6/1

Placed on a couple of occasions last term, notably hitting the crossbar off a 5 lb higher mark at Doncaster in March. However, he was below par on return at Market Rasen and is just 1-16 over hurdles.

Form: 9253-46

Forecasts

Cremant (11/4), Envol De La Cour (11/4), Welland (4/1), Soldier On Parade (4/1), The Knot Is Tied (6/1), Voice Of Hope (25/1)

Preference is for SOLDIER ON PARADE, who proved that this trip is within range when runner-up in a competitive heat at Sedgefield last time and he could take some pegging back round here. Cremant is an obvious danger on the back of a couple of solid placed efforts, while Envol de La Cour is also worthy of consideration.