15:20 Ffos Las

Sunday 15 October 2023

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

DragonBet Welsh Champion Hurdle (Limited Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 3m 37.84s

Strong Leader¹⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 143| D

3/1

Rangy gelding who was highly promising in bumpers and continued progressive theme over hurdles, winning first 3 starts in novice company at around 2m. Ended last term with good second in Aintree Grade 1 and not discounted now handicapping on return.

Form: 211192-

Faivoir²¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 139| D

9/1

Talented hurdler/chaser who was lightly raced last term and capitalised on much-reduced mark when landing the County Hurdle at the Festival back in March. Goes well with plenty of give underfoot and revised mark certainly not beyond him on reappearance.

Form: 305/4P1-

Nemean Lion²²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 135| D

3/1

Useful stayer on Flat in France for Andre Fabre in 2020 and took particularly well to hurdling last term, confirming promise of his third in the Tolworth when landing Kelso Grade 2 back in March, showing a decisive turn of foot. Interesting now handicapping with prospect of more to come.

Form: 1231-

Gin Coco²¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry| OR: 135

4/1

Lightly-raced 7-y-o who has tasted success twice over hurdles and posted a career-best display when runner-up in last season's Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham. Never figured in the County back there in March but his overall record fresh is a positive one. Yard in good form.

Form: 212/120-

Anyharminasking³¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 133| D

14/1

Much improved switched to handicaps in 2021/22 winning twice at around 2m. Ran with credit on 2 of his 3 starts from much-inflated mark last term and interesting what the market makes of him back from 10 months off here.

Form: 211/634-

Carbon King¹⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 133| D

40/1

Progressive in handicap hurdles for Declan Queally, posting a borderline useful performance when bagging third success at Navan (2m) in March. Below best from much-inflated mark at Ballinrobe final start and this looks a tough enough return on debut for new yard.

Form: 913116-

Effernock Fizz^p,t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Carl Millar⁽⁷⁾| T: C Collins| OR: 131| CD

20/1

Tough mare who made the frame a couple of times over fences prior to finishing third over hurdles in handicap at Kilbeggan (2m) 2 starts back. Unable to lead and below best returned to chasing latest and suspicion she'll prove vulnerable to one or two here.

Form: 2P2234

Fiveonefive⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Jack Tudor| T: C Collins| OR: 129| D

10/1

Much improved switched to handicaps, making up considerable ground to double his tally at Cartmel (17.2f) in July. Backed that up when sixth in big-field handicap at Galway (2m) a month later and best not judged harshly on his subsequent debut on the Flat. No forlorn hope.

Form: 56-1216

El Muchacho^h,t¹⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Bradley Harris⁽⁵⁾| T: M F Harris| OR: 123| D

9/1

Point winner who made an instant impact in handicaps, scoring twice back in January. Plenty of creditable efforts in defeat from inflated marks and he returns to action with his yard amongst the winners. Back down in trip.

Form: 120325-

Moriko De Vassy²⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 121| D

16/1

Bumper winner who was 2-4 over hurdles during 2021/22 campaign. Failed to progress from promising chase debut in 2 subsequent runs over fences last term though, and he's switched yard ahead of this return/handicap debut in this sphere. Others appeal more.

Form: F18/26P-

Forecasts

Nemean Lion (3/1), Strong Leader (3/1), Gin Coco (4/1), El Muchacho (9/1), Faivoir (9/1), Fiveonefive (10/1), Anyharminasking (14/1), Moriko De Vassy (16/1), Effernock Fizz (20/1), Carbon King (40/1)

Boasting a progressive profile over hurdles following a lengthy absence last term, NEMEAN LION marked himself down as one to keep on the right side of when landing a Kelso Grade 2 in good style on his final start in March and he could well be up to making a winning return/handicap debut from what looks an appealing mark. Gin Coco has gone well fresh previously and he's feared, with Strong Leader and Irish- raider Fiveonefive also fancied to be on the premises.