16:35 Ffos Las

Saturday 16 October 2021

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:0517:40

Potter Group Welsh Champion Hurdle (Limited Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 3m 40.81s

Ballyandy¹⁹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 151| D

10/1

Smart hurdler who was a fine second in this race off a 3 lb higher mark in 2020. Understandably struggled in an Aintree Grade 1 when last seen in April and he's shortlisted back down in class here.

Form: 223339-

Hang In There²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Joe Anderson⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 150| BF| D

11/1

Ended last season with a near-miss at Newbury and has won 2 of his 4 starts in recent months. Lost little caste in defeat when runner-up at Market Rasen last time, but this is more demanding.

Form: 62-1212

Diego Du Charmil^t¹⁸¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 148| DWS

25/1

Back to winning ways when landing punt in weak 2m Plumpton handicap in April. Well held in the Scottish Champion Hurdle later that month, though, and since undergone another wind op.

Form: 2/33518-

Umbrigado^p,t¹⁹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 142| D

25/1

Runner-up in a strong Haydock handicap hurdle on return last season, subsequent to which he landed 3 of his 5 starts over fences. However, jockey bookings suggest that Leoncavallo is the stable No 1.

Form: 221116-

Calico¹⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 139| DWS

10/3

Enjoyed a promising first campaign over hurdles last term, finishing fourth off this mark on handicap bow in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr when last seen in April. Since undergone a wind op.

Form: 1214-

Leoncavallo^b,t¹²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 139| D

14/1

Useful dual-purpose performer who acquitted himself well in big-field handicaps at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals last season. Resumes on a competitive mark and should be in the mix.

Form: 824/164-

Monsieur Lecoq^p1¹⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Chester Williams⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 136| CD

16/1

Smart hurdler at his best and landed the odds on second start over fences at Leicester in March. Winner of this race off 2 lb higher in 2019 and each-way shout if responding well to new headgear.

Form: 63212-2

Dobryn¹⁹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Jordan Nailor⁽³⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 135| D

15/2

Made it 2-3 over hurdles when readily accounting for 5 rivals on handicap debut at Ludlow on final start of last season. Resumes on a 10 lb higher mark in a much tougher race, but he's unexposed.

Form: 14121-

Glory And Fortune^h,t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 134| D

11/2

Looked better than ever when cosily landing a 6-runner Plumpton handicap (2m) on return last month. 4 lb rise fair enough and he has to enter calculations.

Form: 4025-21

Dans Le Vent¹⁹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 134| D

18/1

Did little wrong last term, bringing the curtain down on that campaign with a fine second in a valuable 2½m handicap at the big Aintree meeting. This drop back in trip may not be ideal, though.

Form: 2/14482-

Cormier^h⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 133| D

5/1

Runner-up in the Swinton at Haydock on final start of last season and winner of 2 of his 4 subsequent starts on the Flat. Won't be found wanting fitness-wise and he's a must for the shortlist.

Form: P1170-2

Amarillo Sky¹⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 132

15/2

Off the mark under Rules at Exeter in March and improved when making all for a wide-margin success at Newton Abbot (16.8f) on final start of last season. However, now 7 lb higher in a tougher race.

Form: 44710-1

Forecasts

Calico (10/3), Cormier (5/1), Glory And Fortune (11/2), Dobryn (15/2), Amarillo Sky (15/2), Ballyandy (10/1), Hang In There (11/1), Leoncavallo (14/1), Monsieur Lecoq (16/1), Dans Le Vent (18/1), Diego Du Charmil (25/1), Umbrigado (25/1)

Several to consider in a competitive renewal of this valuable handicap. CORMIER signed off last season with a solid effort in the Swinton at Haydock and, a winner twice on the Flat since, he is expected to hit the ground running back in this sphere. Brian Ellison's charge is marginally preferred to Glory And Fortune and top-weight Ballyandy, while Calico and Dobryn also need considering.