Specsavers Llanelli Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 5m 13.9s

Darksideoftarnside^v²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: Ian Williams| C

16/1

Three wins on easy ground on Flat at up to 1m6f but fell early on hurdles debut then was tailed off only other start. No slouch on the level but has a bit to prove in this sphere at present.

Form: F0-

Hideaway Vic^t²³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 118| BF

15/8

Never out of the first three in five starts, winning a 2017 Plumpton bumper and second two other starts in that sphere before third on hurdles bow here in March 2018. Only one run since when odds on second at Uttoxeter in March.

Form: 212/32-

Loco Coco²⁰⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| D

28/1

Promise in two point-to-points, winning the second, a maiden open in April. Rules bow and hails from good yard so well worth a glance to see if there are any positive market signs.

Form: 31-

Saint De Vassy²³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: T Symonds| OR: 124| BF

9/4

Shown ability all five starts but yet to get his head in front. Went close at Chepstow in January and at Exeter in March on his last race and returns now from long summer break. May do better this term and has decent claims.

Form: 4/3232-

Supreme Escape¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

16/1

Irish maiden point-to-point winner in April and purchased for £35,000 to join new connections. Fair 33/1 third on Rules bow in Fontwell maiden hurdle recently and should be in the shake-up granted a but of improvement for that run.

Form: 41-3

Young Bull²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: H Whittington

2/1

Heavy ground Chepstow bumper winner last December. Back from eight-month break when decent 20/1 third at Wetherby last month on hurdles debut. Will probably stay further so soft ground could bring stamina into play.

Form: 2F/315-3

Forecasts

Hideaway Vic (15/8), Young Bull (2/1), Saint De Vassy (9/4), Supreme Escape (16/1), Darksideoftarnside (16/1), Loco Coco (28/1)

An interesting maiden hurdle in which YOUNG BULL is a marginal choice having shaped nicely on his first start over timber when third at Wetherby in October. He will be better for that first run in eight months and has every chance to get on the scoresheet. Saint De Vassy will win races and has been very consisitent so should again be on the premises, while Supreme Escape will have pleased connections when third at Fontwelllon his first start over hurdles and may take a step forward from that. Hideaway Vic, twice beaten at odds-on in his last three races, is not out of it but has proved costly to follow.