Welsh Reindeer Retreat Handicap Chase

Off time: 18:25 | Winning time: 4m 51.72s

Hardy Boy¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Luca Morgan| T: B Pauling| OR: 105

1/1

Has been in good form over hurdles and ran close that level first time up over fences when third at Market Rasen (21.4f, good to soft) just over a fortnight ago, finishing with running left. Likely improver, so holds leading claims.

Form: 08246-3

Dindin^b,t³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 97| D

11/2

Had a busy season last term and resumed winning ways in a race that panned out well for him at Wincanton (20f) in March. Solid placed efforts subsequently and should give another decent account.

Form: 323123-

Holerday Ridge^h,t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: C Gethings| T: Claire Hitch| OR: 93| D

4/1

Fair winner over hurdles and made an encouraging start in this sphere when third in handicap at this course (20.9f) in March. Hasn't progressed on both outings since, so percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: 3UP3P-7

Heronord²³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 93

9/2

Remains a maiden following 20 attempts under Rules. A place probably the best he can hope for returning from 7 months off despite a tumbling mark.

Form: 424245-

Talkingthetalk³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 81

14/1

Left hurdling debut form behind when third in a Wexford maiden on final run for Leonard Whitmore last summer. Hasn't shown much for present yard, though, and not attentions are switched to the larger obstacles.

Form: 3PP5P0-

Non-Runners

Fanzio³⁰

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: L Hurley J: G Sheehan

Paddy's Return¹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 7

T: P & M Bowen J: S Bowen

Forecasts

Hardy Boy (1/1), Holerday Ridge (4/1), Heronord (9/2), Dindin (11/2), Fanzio (12/1), Talkingthetalk (14/1), Paddy's Return (33/1)

HARDY BOY ran close to his hurdles form first time up over fences when third at Market Rasen just over a fortnight ago and, with further improvement on the cards as he gains experience, Ben Pauling's 6-y-o gets the vote to come out on top. Dindin arrives in good order, so he looks the obvious danger to the selection, with Heronord taken to fill out third place.