The Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle (Saturday 23 December) is a handicap hurdle run at Ascot over 1 mile 7 furlongs and 152 yards. It has been formerly known as the Wessex Youth Trust Handicap Hurdle and the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle.
It’s most famous winner is Cause Of Causes, and the 2012 winner has gone on to win three times at the Cheltenham Festival over fences.
Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle 2017 – 10-Year-Trends
- Winners have carried between 10-1 and 11-11
- Winners have been aged 4, 5 and 6
- Nicky Henderson has trained 3 of the last 9 winners
- SP’s have ranged from 9/4 to 33/1
- Winners have been rated between 127 and 149
Major Contenders
Charli Parcs
Represents Nicky Henderson so must be feared, and a 1lb rise in the handicap was more than fair after finishing runner-up on his seasonal debut. However, trainer has stated he thinks he’s best on good ground, and may need the ground to dry out a bit.
Lostintranslation
Ran a significantly quicker time at Newbury than Charli Parcs did at the same meeting (carrying 10lb less, yet is set to get to carry 12lb less here. Should also get a nice low-weight to carry, and could make a mockery of his mark of 134 after just 3 runs over hurdles.
Elgin
The form of his two handicap wins this season off marks of 140 and 145 suggests he could easily defy a mark of 151. The first of those wins came at Ascot, and the second, third, fifth, tenth and thirteenth have all won since, whilst he had the likes of The New One behind last time. Top-weight won’t be easy to carry though, and vulnerable to something less exposed.
Verdana Blue
Finished fifth to Elgin here before returning to win over course and distance. 3lb better off with Elgin this time, but has ground to make up on that form. However, he looked to have improved last time, and can’t be ruled out for Nicky Henderson.
Silver Streak
Won 3 of his last 4 races, but the one defeat came here at Ascot when he finished fourth in which a horse called Dolos finished second. Dolos had previously finished tenth behind Elgin.
Air Horse One
Finished fourth to Elgin over course and distance earlier in the season and, though he has a chance of reversing the form on 4lb better terms for 2-lengths, he was a bit disappointing at Newbury last time.
Magic Dancer
Trainer Kerry Lee knows how to prepare a horse for a big handicap, but this one has gone up 11lb for winning two lower-grade handicaps, and he might find the hike in class beyond him.
Our Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle 2017 Preview & Betting Tip
Nicky Henderson always needs to be respected in this race, and both Charli Parcs and Verdana Blue have obvious chances, whilst Elgin looks capable of carrying a big-weight to victory with the form of his wins working out so well. However, Lostintranslation could be an absolute blot on the handicap on a mark of 134 – and could relish this chance to carry a nice low-weight.
2017 Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle Tip: Lostintranslation