Unibet Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 3.20s

Rockadenn⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: A Merienne| T: J Merienne| D

5/2

French raider who has won his last four starts in his native land under today's rider. Three of those starts have been over fences including the latest win in a Listed contest at Cagnes-Sur-Mer; should handle the ground; interesting contender.

Form: 731111

Sir Psycho^p⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 134

1/1

Progressing nicely over hurdles having won twice both times by decent margins the latest win at Exeter by 31L reverting to novice company. Enjoyed the test of stamina at the trip (likely to do so again); looks to have been saved for this.

Form: 4141

Gerolamo Cardano²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Burke| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 131| D

8/1

Easy to back but made a successful hurdles debut after showing ability in an Aintree bumper. The win at Hereford could have been in a weak event but he handled testing conditions well; not disgraced in a Cheltenham Grade 2 last time; respected.

Form: 413

The Pink'n^h²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Daniel Sansom| T: J W Mullins| OR: 129

8/1

Made a winning start to his hurdling career in the summer and got back on track in his last two starts after a blip second time out. Stayed on well last time suggesting conditions won't be a problem; has something to find on form though.

Form: 1532

Colonel Manderson³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: G Sheehan| T: Nick Williams

16/1

Half-brother to four winners including smart hurdler Pierrot Lunaire he shaped well on his bumper debut (run may have been needed). Faces a stiff task on his hurdles debut; interesting that the yard pitch him in at this level; worth a market check.

Form: 5

Dehradun²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson

20/1

Once-raced on the Flat for Michael Bell he's shaped better over hurdles in two starts for this yard and looks likely to come on again for this experience. Has to prove himself at this level and he'll need to brush up his jumping technique.

Form: 52

Non-Runners

Highway To Success³⁵

Weight: 10-12| Age: 4

T: J & S Best J: Adam Wedge

Forecasts

Sir Psycho (1/1), Rockadenn (5/2), The Pink'n (8/1), Gerolamo Cardano (8/1), Colonel Manderson (16/1), Dehradun (20/1), Highway To Success (25/1)

A good renewal of a race that Paul Nicholls has won twice in the last four years and he comes here with another excellent chance to land this prize with SIR PSYCHO. Conditions won’t be a problem as he ploughed through the mud to beat his elders when winning at Exeter on New Year’s Day. French raider Rockadenn adds an interesting twist to the race although he’s hard to get a handle on switching back to hurdles. Gerolamo Cardano arrives on the back of a good effort in this grade at Cheltenham last time and he’s respected along with Colonel Manderson who is thrown in at the deep end for his hurdles debut; any positive market vibes should be noted.