Unibet Elite Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 3m 30.30s

Master Debonair²⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 149| BF

8/1

Won twice over 2m at Ascot last season, including a Grade 2, before fading over 19.3f final start. Could do better in second season in this sphere and wouldn't rule out for all he has a bit to find.

Form: 05/2113-

Solo²³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149

7/2

Very impressive when making first UK start a winning one in the Adonis at Kempton in February, jumping really well. Not so good in the Triumph but has been gelded and will get back on the up.

Form: 2118-

Brandon Castle^t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: N B King| OR: 139

40/1

Front-runner who landed back-to-back extended 2m Market Rasen handicap hurdles this summer. Not so good in listed heat there 6 weeks ago though and this is even tougher.

Form: 64-4119

Diego Du Charmil^t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 151

13/2

More known for his chasing exploits but has run good races in a couple of Kempton's feature 2m hurdles the last twice 8 months apart. Connections also have the exciting Solo.

Form: 35/122-3

Sceau Royal²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: A King| OR: 155| CD

4/5

Won this in 2016 and back over hurdles with a bang after a wind op when landing the Welsh Champion Hurdle handicap at Ffos Las on return 3 weeks ago. The one to beat if in the same form here.

Form: 2/6325-1

Teqany^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 144

16/1

Won Newton Abbot and Bangor handicaps in September. Not disgraced in listed company at Kempton (2m) behind Diego du Charmil recently but even more on his plate now.

Form: 1-34114

Forecasts

Sceau Royal (4/5), Solo (7/2), Diego Du Charmil (13/2), Master Debonair (8/1), Teqany (16/1), Brandon Castle (40/1)

SCEAU ROYAL returned with a bang when winning at Ffos Las 3 weeks ago and can repeat his 2016 success in this if in the same sort of form. Solo has been gelded and there are more big prizes in the Adonis winner. Master Debonair could also have more to offer in his second season hurdling.