Daryl Jacob: Royal rumble at Wincanton as Sceau Royal goes for Elite prize

Kildisart earns Ladbrokes Trophy ticket

We learnt plenty in the bet365 Hurdle at Wetherby on Saturday and, while I was disappointed with my ride, Wholestone, Kildisart made a pleasing reappearance in third under Jerry McGrath.

Wholestone should’ve had a good chance on form but he missed the first three hurdles, didn’t jump with any fluency, never got into it and hopefully just needed it.

I don’t think you could send him to the Ladbrokes Trophy on the back of that run but Ben Pauling was happy with the run of Kildisart and I’m looking forward to riding him in the same race at Newbury.

He ran a belter, jumped great and had a blow between the last two. He’s set up lovely for the Ladbrokes Trophy now and I’m looking forward to riding him there.

Fred ready for chasing bow

I schooled Fred on Thursday morning ahead of his chasing debut at Warwick on Friday and he seems in really good form.

With Allmankind in the race there’s going to be plenty of pace on but that should suit my fellow over two miles on good ground at Warwick.

He’ll need to be up to his best to win this as it’s a hot little race, and you couldn’t get a much tougher jumping test for your first go than a quick race around Warwick.

We need to get him started, though, and whatever he does on Friday he’ll improve for it.

Saturday Rides

Wincanton

Oneofthesenights – 1.50

I’m on ONEOFTHESENIGHTS for Jamie Snowden in the Richard Barber Memorial Mares’ Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday.

I haven’t sat on her before but I’ve watched videos of all her races, including her second at Auteuil last time, and she looks a nice mare.

I’ve spoken to Gavin Sheehan about her and he says she jumps well and travels, while she won’t mind the ground, so it’s nice to pick up a good spare on a Saturday.

Ga Law – 2.25

The Rising Stars Novices’ Chase has cut up quite a lot because of the ground and Grand Sancy will be a tough opponent in a three-runner race.

GA LAW won’t mind the ground and was impressive when winning a handicap at Exeter last time, he really felt great that day, so he’s not without a chance despite this being a step up in grade.

We get a stone from Grand Sancy which will help, but he’s a class act and will be tough to beat. Hopefully my horse can maintain his good form and make a real race of it.

Sceau Royal – 3.00

SCEAU ROYAL has come back in great nick since his wind surgery and I’m hoping he can land the Unibet Elite Hurdle for the second time at Wincanton on Saturday.

Obviously after winning the Welsh Champion Hurdle this was always going to be his target and he should’ve come on from that run.

We all know the key to him is good ground and he looks like he’ll get that again on Saturday so we’ve got high hopes that he’ll go very well.

Coo Star Sivola – 3.35

COO STAR SIVOLA is my mount in the Badger Beers Silver Trophy as he returns from over 600 days off the track.

He’s got that absence to overcome but that time off means he’s come down the weights a bit and he’s actually 3lb lower now than when he won the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival.

I’m delighted to pick up a ride for Nick Williams, I’ve not ridden for him for a long time but we go back a bit thanks to Diamond Harry and Reve De Sivola so it’s nice to ride for such a good trainer again in a big race on a Saturday.