Expert Analysis

This looked a strong renewal, with the Mares’ Hurdle contender Wodhooh coming home clear of Celtic Dino, who gave another boost to the Welsh Champion Hurdle form by finishing well ahead of the rest. Celtic Dino is a good ground horse and his presence here in second place adds weight to the notion that the rain had yet to make as big an impact on the hurdles course compared with the chase track which was already riding good to soft.

WODHOOH Her jockey rode with great confidence as he gave her plenty of ground to make up even on the turn for home. She did this easily before striding clear from the final hurdle. A most impressive victory from a very good mare who continues to display an excellent will to win attitude.

CELTIC DINO The handicapper has been very kind on him by only raising him 3lbs to his new 147 rating. Interestingly, this is the same mark as the one Alexei now finds himself on and Celtic Dino beat the subsequent Greatwood winner with something to spare whilst conceding 7lbs in the Welsh Champion Hurdle.
Celtic Dino’s new mark keeps the handicap route open as an option for this Sam Thomas–trained six-year-old.

POTTERS CHARM Maybe he is not quite as good as his connections hoped, though it’s also possible he was simply beaten by two very good horses. For now, and until we see something different, I will err on the side of the latter. In essence this was his first run out of novice company and his connections are, therefore, still finding out about him. It remains very possible that we will see plenty of improvement in him over a longer trip on another day.

KATEIRA She has tended to get found out when competing against the geldings and did so again here. I would suggest she is slightly flattered by her fourth-place finish as the eventual fifth horse home had her measure before tiring in the closing stages. Unlike Altobelli, she was race fit and ready to run to her best.

ALTOBELLI He ran well for a long way before appearing to tire in the style of a horse needing this first run of the season. Certainly, a fair few from the Harry Fry yard have performed in a similar fashion on their seasonal debut starts. I believe he is worth keeping in mind for another good ground race this season; especially if he returns to compete at Ascot.

WINTER FOG I assume he is being sent over to England due to a lack of options in Ireland and in the hope of picking up the odd bit of prize money here and there. Perhaps he is also acting as an interesting marker for the Mullins yard before they send their better horses over later in the year.

GWENNIE MAY BOY I remain of the view that he is flattered by his victory at Haydock last season and consequently by his elevated mark.

CRAMBO Although he has done well at this course twice in the past, he has needed every inch of the three miles plus that he has been successful over in the 2023 and 2024 renewals of the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle. I assume that the plan is to go for the hat-trick after this prep run over an intermediate trip.