Welsh Champion Hurdle: Timeform preview and free Race Pass

The Welsh Champion Hurdle (15:20) at Ffos Las on Sunday is available as a free Race Pass, which means logged-in customers can view all our premium comments and ratings.

This looks a competitive renewal of the Welsh Champion Hurdle (15:20) and there is also plenty of depth to it. Top-weight Strong Leader (150) was a smart novice last season, winning his first three starts over hurdles and taking his form up a notch in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and in the Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree. That form is hard to knock and this rangy gelding looks very interesting on his return and handicap debut for an in-form yard (highlighted by the Hot Trainer Flag), while he is likely to progress further still this season given how lightly raced he is. 

However, a big danger will be the Kerry Lee-trained Nemean Lion (152p), who tops Timeform weight-adjusted ratings and also has the 'p' attached to his rating, denoting he is open to further improvement. He made a winning start over hurdles at Hereford in November last year and he looked an exciting prospect in doing so, too, going with plenty of enthusiasm and putting the race to be between the last two flights. 

Nemean Lion went on to finish third in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown before winning the Grade 2 Premier Novices' Hurdle at Kelso on his final start. He displayed a good turn of foot on that occasion, and still managed to win comfortably on the run-in despite hardly even taking off at the final flight. He was a near-smart performer on the Flat in France and an opening mark of 135 may well underestimate him given the potential he has. 

Gin Coco (150) is another with a lightly-raced profile and he ran a cracker when runner-up to a smart type in the typically competitive Greatwood Hurdle last season. He was well found in the betting for the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival won by the reopposing Faivoir (149) when last seen in March. That was his first wrong step for Harry Fry, so he shouldn't be judged too harshly on that effort, and his record when fresh is excellent. Gin Coco should find this a little easier and can't be ruled out. 

Faivoir was a surprise winner of the County Hurdle but you couldn't knock his performance, knuckling down well to see off a classy horse in Pied Piper by a head. He has gone well fresh in the past and a subsequent 4 lb rise doesn't handicap him out of proceedings, so he also has to be respected for a top yard. 

Timeform Analyst's Verdict:

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.

Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings:

152p Nemean Lion

151 Anyharminasking

150 El Muchacho

150 Fiveonefive

150 Gin Coco

150 Strong Leader

149 Faivoir

147 Carbon King

145+ Effernock Fizz

? Moriko de Vassey

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