Welsh Cottage Cakes Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 20:40 | Winning time: 3m 57.62s

Heure De Gloire^b,t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Philip Armson⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 108| CD

15/2

Capitalised on much-reduced mark (in first-time blinkers) over C&D in March but failed by a long chalk to back that up when pulled up at Southwell (20.4f) 23 days ago. However, yard continue in excellent form and bounce back not ruled out. Down in trip.

Form: 83F71-P

Dinsdale^t,v1²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Luca Morgan⁽³⁾| T: M Scudamore| OR: 106| CD

14/1

Proved that he retains most of his ability after a pipe-opener on the Flat when fourth at Newcastle in November. However, he's been operating below his best under both codes subsequently and first-time visor needs to have positive effect back over hurdles.

Form: 122/47-7

Zucayan^t²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Nick Slatter⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 103| D

5/2

Fair form in bumpers and steadily getting the hang of things over hurdles, making a winning handicap debut at Ludlow (15.7f) in May, leading final 100 yds and going clear. 6 lb higher now but he's still low-mileage and may do better again.

Form: 6435-21

Wise Glory^t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 102

25/1

Winless over hurdles for Paul Nicholls and has proved more miss than hit on the Flat upon joining present stable. Percentage call is to look elsewhere now attentions are switched back to timber.

Form: 652/37-

Pilgrims King^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 96| CD

10/11

Didn't offer much in maiden/novice hurdles but quick to dispel handicap debut effort with back-to-back C&D victories in recent weeks, readily scoring off a 6 lb lower mark 14 days ago. Remains very much of interest in hat-trick bid.

Form: 4090-11

Blaze A Trail³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: C Brace| T: J L Flint| OR: 94

50/1

Fair winning hurdler/chaser for Elizabeth Doyle in Ireland but didn't cut much ice over fences for this yard last autumn and similarly showed little back from 7 months off over hurdles at Worcester in May.

Form: 49/36P-P

Balzac²⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 81

14/1

Fairly useful winner on the Flat in 2020 but his profile in this sphere is an unconvincing one and he refused to race when last seen at Uttoxeter (15.7f) in October. Understandably needs treating with caution on return.

Form: 9/7536R-

Forecasts

Pilgrims King (10/11), Zucayan (5/2), Heure De Gloire (15/2), Balzac (14/1), Dinsdale (14/1), Wise Glory (25/1), Blaze A Trail (50/1)

PILGRIMS KING has improved over hurdles of late, readily landing a pair of C&D events in recent weeks, and he should put up a bold bid to land the hat-trick. Zucayan is similarly low-mileage from a handicapping perspective and feared most on the back of his Ludlow victory. Heure de Gloire may emerge best of the remainder.