Betway Kingwell Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 3m 37.30s

Grand Sancy^h⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 143| CD

3/1

Excellent 2018 having undergone wind surgery, winning three from five starts. Began New Year with close second to Elixir De Nutz in Grade 1 novice at Sandown (2m, soft). Merits some thought again.

Form: 121142

Vision Des Flos^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 150

4/1

Smart hurdler with just one win in 11 attempts, though often placed behind useful rivals. Flattered by 2L margin behind Buveur D'air at Sandown recently on first start after wind surgery but not hard to predict he improved for his operation.

Form: 2-U2352

Jolly's Cracked It⁵⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry| OR: 145| C

9/2

Returned from 706-day absence to score decisively in Ascot handicap over just shy of 2m on good ground in November. Well held back there in December in competitive Grade 3 Handicap and off since. Big enough ask again seemingly.

Form: 6310/10

Sceau Royal⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: D A Jacob| T: A King| OR: 154| CD

13/8

Elite Hurdle winner in 2016 over C&D, before proving just shy of top class over timber. Prolific since over fences, winning 5-6 before last of four in Grade 1 Tingle Creek in December. Interesting contender back over hurdles for champion trainer.

Form: 2111-14

Unison²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 146| CD

8/1

Gained fourth hurdles win last time out at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) in January, making all the running and drawing away to score decisively. Previous efforts in Listed/Graded races suggest this will prove beyond him dropped in distance.

Form: 353P21

Forecasts

Sceau Royal (13/8), Grand Sancy (3/1), Vision Des Flos (4/1), Jolly's Cracked It (9/2), Unison (8/1)

SCEAU ROYAL was third in this race two years ago and also won the Elite Hurdle over C&D earlier that same season. Alan King's runner has earned his crust as a very good chaser since, winning five from seven over those obstacles. The stable are in good form and he's likely prepped for jumping hurdles again, ensuring he earns the call. A wind operation seemed to eke some improvement from Vision Des Flos last time (though his trainer believes the winner was 'toying with him' at Sandown 14 days ago). He can fill the runner-up berth ahead of the prolific Grand Sancy.