JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle

Off time: 12:11 | Winning time: 4m 7.30s

Fanfan Du Seuil²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 11-5| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 133| D

11/4

French import who fell on his British debut at Chepstow, but made amends in good style at Exeter last time. Hard to know how good he is, but clearly has talent.

Form: 1-F1

Fret D'Estruval⁹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 11-5| J: D A Jacob| T: A King| D

6/1

Winner of both his races over hurdles for top French trainer Guillaume Macaire. Makes his first start for successful owners and a trainer who is an expert with juvenile hurdlers.

Form: F11

Ghost Serge²²

Age: 3| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 122

33/1

Not disgraced in second when sent to France last time and previous form is solid enough. May be biting off more than he can chew in this company, however.

Form: 2122

Katpoli^t²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 132

3/1

Huntingdon winner last month, but had his limitations exposed when fourth of six at this track on his next outing. Not out of this, but one or two rivals might have his measure.

Form: 4P14

Nelson River³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Bannister| T: A W Carroll| D

6/1

Winner on the Flat who made a successful jumping debut when scoring at Bangor. Has scope for improvement, but is stepping up in class.

Form: 1

Protektorat⁹³

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

5/2

Runner-up on his only start over hurdles in France. First run for successful stable and it would be no surprise to see him make an impact.

Form: 2

Swordbill^p¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: Ian Williams

25/1

Three-times AW Flat winner who shaped respectably when third to a well-backed newcomer on his jumping debut at Newcastle. Improvement is on the cards.

Form: 3

Forecasts

Protektorat (5/2), Fanfan Du Seuil (11/4), Katpoli (3/1), Nelson River (6/1), Fret D'Estruval (6/1), Swordbill (25/1), Ghost Serge (33/1)

Fanfan Du Seuil sets a fair standard, but in Protektorat and FRET D'ESTRUVAL he faces a couple of other French imports who could be well above average. The selection represents owners who always have a strong hand in the juvenile department and can make a winning debut on English turf. The others are respected, but probably need to improve on what they have achieved so far.