John Ellis Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 5m 28.21s

Lasko Des Obeaux³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 112

10/3

Expensive point purchase whose best Rules effort came when making the running on hurdle debut (second to fairly useful sort). Back to form away from less extreme conditions last time and could well improve now handicapping over a longer trip.

Form: 2-233

Valadon^t1⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry| OR: 111

9/4

Three-time hurdle winner did better than on reappearance when fourth at Wincanton (heavy) in January and first-time tongue stap looks a sensible addition have threatened more than he delivered on that occasion.

Form: 4341-P4

Galactic Charm^p¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Jude Fernandes⁽¹⁰⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 111

4/1

Going through the motions this season, not shaping as though ready to capitalise on falling mark.

Form: 2-P7494

Baltray¹¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Liam Harrison| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 109

14/1

Hit-and-miss performer who found only an improver too strong in 2¾m Stratford handicap in October but in nothing like the same form at Kempton a month later. Capable when fresh, though.

Form: FF-362P

Moon Hunter^b1⁷⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Jamie Gambin⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 108

40/1

Lazy type is belatedly tried in blinkers but remains one to treat with caution.

Form: F/43P-7P

Oakley's Way^t⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 102

5/2

Split a pair of next-time-out winners when third in this grade in December but found out in better company at Kempton the following month. Return to 2½m/drop in class both in his favour.

Form: 4-26136

Non-Runners

Balboa²⁰

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: J W Mullins J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Valadon (9/4), Oakley's Way (5/2), Lasko Des Obeaux (10/3), Galactic Charm (4/1), Balboa (8/1), Baltray (14/1), Moon Hunter (40/1)

Handicap debutant LASKO DES OBEAUX is likely to well positioned in a race devoid of pace and with improvement expected for the switch to a handicap/longer trip, this looks a fair chance for him to get off the mark. He's narrowly preferred to Balboa, who remains well treated, but hasn't won since 2023, while Oakley's Way should go well back down in grade.