Wincanton Racecourse Supports Racing Welfare Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:07 | Winning time: 3m 37.3s

Hacker Des Places¹³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 11-4| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls

4/9

Promising sort who won 6-runner juvenile hurdle at Dax (17.4f) when last seen in June. First run for yard after leaving Francois Nicolle and with improvement likely, looks the one to beat.

Form: 31

Calidus Mirabilis^b²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr Eddie Edge⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 104

12/1

Fair AW Flat winner who showed a bit in 3 runs over hurdles for Joseph O'Brien this summer. Rather disappointing on both starts for new yard and others have stronger claims here.

Form: 42443

Derek Le Grand¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Shane Quinlan⁽⁵⁾| T: G Harris

40/1

Modest at best on the Flat, ran to just a poor level on hurdling debut when sixth of 9 in juvenile at Ludlow (15.8f, good to firm, 11/2) 18 days ago.

Form: 6

Iron Heart^p⁷³

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe

10/1

Made the most of a good opportunity when won 2-runner handicap at Salisbury (12f, firm) 73 days ago. First run for yard after leaving Andrew Balding and looks a likelier type on his hurdling bow.

Form:

Shutupshirley

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: James Best| T: R Walford

66/1

Saddler's Rock gelding. Closely related to bumper winner/fair 2½m hurdle winner Meribel Millie and half-brother to winning 2m chaser Edeiff's Lad, stayed 23f. Best watched on debut.

Form:

Viroflay⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| BF

7/2

Fairly useful Flat winner. 13/8, failed to meet expectations after 9 months off on yard/NH debut when fourth of 8 in juvenile hurdle at Kempton (16f, good) 7 days ago. Should progress.

Form: 4

Mazikeen¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 10-5| J: Brendan Powell| T: W R Muir

16/1

Fair handicapper on Flat, barely stays 1½m. Below form when seventh of 11 in handicap (14/1) at Wolverhampton (12.2f) 13 days ago. Best watched on hurdles bow.

Form:

Forecasts

Hacker Des Places (4/9), Viroflay (7/2), Iron Heart (10/1), Calidus Mirabilis (12/1), Mazikeen (16/1), Derek Le Grand (40/1), Shutupshirley (66/1)

Paul Nicholls looks to have a firm grip on this juvenile, with HACKER DES PLACES and Viroflay both holding leading chances. Preference is for the former, having scored at Dax when last seen in June and with improvement likely on his first start on these shores. Viroflay disappointed on his yard debut at Kempton last week but rates as the main threat nevertheless, ahead of Iron Heart.