Gerry Feilden Intermediate Handicap Hurdle Guide 2022

One of two for trainer Nicky Henderson in this year’s renewal of the Gerry Feilden Intermediate Hurdle ran over 2 miles at Newbury.

First Street made a decent start to life over hurdles winning Class 4 and Class 3 events.He stays the trip, but this is also a step up in Class too so he will have to show he has the ability to progress in this company considering he has been off the racetrack for 232 days.

May prefer more cut in the ground as conditions look to be more on the good side, but he still has chances so cannot be dismissed. Others in the race have had runs since so fitness may be a slight concern for a horse who has won three times over hurdles so far in his career.

Carries top weight, but remains a major player here.

Gary Moore’s second runner in this and one who was mightily impressive last time out winning his first race over hurdles by a staggering 21 lengths.

This 4 year old son of Sea The Stars may have been bred to be useful on the flat, but his trainer has opted to go hurdling with him.The outsider of the field and one who is easy to dismiss due to the fact he has not had the experience compared to some of his other rivals in better looking races.

Jockey Niall Houlihan claims 3lb, but this looks a tough ask for a horse who may have better days ahead in weaker races.

This 6 year old son of Walk In The Park has managed to show a lot of consistency in his runs to date finishing second in five consecutive races.

He has also won on three occasions and won gamely last time out beating Albert’s Back by just a neck.

Fairly versatile ground wise and stays the required trip of 2m, but these past performances have come in weaker races so he will have to show a lot more here in order to challenge the rest of his rivals.

Not totally dismissed as he remains with potential to do better in higher quality races.

Yet another trainer who has two in this race and the Moore yard have been notching up a few winners in recent weeks so it may be a good time to take note of their horses.

Teddy Blue has only won once over hurdles and that came on his latest outing over 2m2f at Fontwell.He was victorious by a whopping 20 lengths and won easily in the end so going off that last performance he should be in good nick to show more here, but does step up in Class.

Steps back down to 2m for this contest and remains one to be excited about due to what he showed last time out.In what looks a very open and competitive handicap, Teddy Blue has the potential to make it back to back wins over hurdles.

Theatre Glory has been showing clear signs of progression as she has only been beaten once and that came in a Class 1 event over course and distance.

She is cleary well thought of as that step up in Class would not have come so early for her if connections and trainer did not think she was good enough.She made it 3-3 last campaign when winning a Class 1 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham beating Lady Rita by 6 ½ lengths.

More than capable of notching up another victory here and jockey Nathan Brennan claims 7lb so that certainly enhances her credentials.

Nicky Henderson’s second runner and another who lacks race fitness, but may be good enough to win this if fit and ready to go from a 226 day layoff.

Dan Skelton opts to run another in this race and jockey Mr Jack Andrews claims 3lb off Boombawn here. Made it 2-2 last season when winning over 2m at Ffos Las and then after a 176 day break, he beat a rival he faces again here in Teddy Blue at Kempton in a Class 1 contest.

There were only three runners in that so it was a weak looking event so much more was expected of him next time out, but he failed to win as he came second to the Nicky Henderson trained Impulsive One.

May be one at a bigger price to look at each-way, but will have to bounce back in what looks a highly completive Class 1 Hurdle affair. Not totally dismissed.

One of two for trainer Dan Skelton and with Harry Skelton taking the ride on Pikar, it suggests he may have a stronger chance compared to stablemate Boombawn.

Was victorious last time out when beating the talented Fergal O’Brien trained Hullnback by 5 lengths in a Novices’ Hurdle event.

Stayed on really well that day in the run-in so may have a lot more to give now stepped up in Class, but trip and ground conditions look sure to suit so Pikar may well be one of the more likely winners here.

Yard in good form so cannot ignore the Skelton’s at the moment especially when they have a fancied horse that should do well. Has to be highly respected.

This 4 year old filly won on debut in France before moving to the Paul Nicholls yard shortly after. She disappointed on her British racecourse debut when finishing fourth of nine over 1m7f at Wincanton back in February, but did bounce back in impression fashion next time out.

Loves the ground good to soft, but conditions may not suit here this time round. She has not shown much to warrant a strong case being made for her, but one to not ignore as she is trained by Paul Nicholls.

Watch for any market support, but others make greater appeal.