Welsh Champion Hurdle: Timeform's runner-by runner guide

The Welsh Champion Hurdle is Ffos Las's biggest race

Timeform examine each runner in the Welsh Champion, a race now run as a handicap...

Oscara Dara was useful in bumpers and better still over hurdles, winning twice last spring and taking Lanzarote Hurdle last month, value for more than 3 length margin. Handicapper has had his say, though.

Balder Succes is a smart hurdler and convincingly beat Hollow Tree at Haydock (2m) in November. Run best excused in Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot last time (lost shoe) and well worth another chance.

Hector's Choice is a smart handicap chaser, back on his game when scoring at Cheltenham (21f) in April. Below form both starts in that sphere this term, though, and questions to answer now switched back to hurdling.

Hollow Tree is a game front-running hurdler who won 3 times as a juvenile last term. Nothing wrong with opening handicap fourth at Haydock (2m) in December before shaping like a non-stayer over 25f next time.

Double Ross has improved over hurdles this term, scoring at Cheltenham (21f) in November and shaping better than bare result under aggressive rides on both starts since. Remains one to bear in mind.

Medinas is a bumper winner who showed good attitude when landing brace of novice hurdles in the spring. Better still when finding frame on all 3 starts in handicaps this term, though others look better treated.

El Dancer is a useful sort who won 3m Fakenham handicap in October and better still when runner-up in handicaps at Lingfield and Newbury last twice. Has work to do from this higher mark, however.

Peckhamecho is a useful hurdler who failed to build on debut chasing success in 2 subsequent starts over fences this term, but ran well back over timber when third in 2m handicap at Newbury in November.

Miss Milborne produced a useful effort to land 2m Wincanton handicap in the mud in November and matched that form when second in 3m Kempton listed event next time. Run over that C&D since best excused and one to consider.

Tanerko Emery captured a 2m Stratford novice on first start for this yard in October and has added handicaps at Sandown and Lingfield since. Untried over this trip, but remains one to keep on side.

Trop Fort was expensive to follow for David Pipe, folding tamely final start in April, but 2-2 without headgear for new yard, scoring at Market Rasen and Newton Abbot last summer. Absent since, however.

Boyfromnowhere is a point winner who made promising start over hurdles in the autumn, winning 2 of his first 3 starts, and wasn't completely disgraced when fourth in 3m Grade 2 at Cheltenham in December.

Tiger O'toole was a useful hurdler whose jumping has often let him down over fences, most recently at Wetherby in November, and set no easy task here returning to timber from 4 lb out of the weights.

The Romford Pele was a useful bumper performer last year and set to match that level over hurdles, winning at Taunton (17f) in November and Chepstow (2m) following month. May do better still, but 6 lb wrong here.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Tanerko Emery
2. Double Ross
3. Balder Succes

Timeform View: Tanerko Emery's upward curve shows no sign of flattening out and he can make it 3-3 in handicaps to provide his owner with another success in this race. Double Ross and Balder Succes are others to consider.

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