William Hill Super Odds Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 4m 9.25s

Collingham¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 118| D

13/2

Multiple Flat winner who arrives having doubled his tally in juvenile hurdles at Catterick (15.7f) 2 weeks ago, winning easily. Conditions will hold no fears but this undoubtedly more demanding.

Form: 12321

Koi Dodville^b¹⁹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 110| BF| D

100/1

Fair on Flat in France and similar form when landing juvenile hurdles at Hexham/Aintree (2m) back in June. Progress levelled out thereafter and well held on Flat when last seen in August. More needed.

Form: 1134

Porticello⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 135| D

30/100

Won newcomers' race at Auteuil on sole start in France and progressive for new yard, taking career tally to 3-4 when landing Grade 1 Finale at Chepstow (2m) in December. Tough to beat.

Form: 1-121

Skycutter^h1⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 122| D

15/2

Useful on Flat and impressive when landing first 2 starts in juvenile hurdles at around 2m late last year, latterly beating Collingham. Below par behind Porticello last time but he may bounce back.

Form: 118

Tanganyika²³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss V Williams| D

12/1

Martaline gelding who landed a 3-y-o hurdle in France last spring. Similar form when fifth on third start at Auteuil (17.4f) in June and joined very good yard for €40,000 since. Market should guide.

Form: 1-65

Cuban Cigar¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 108

66/1

Fair on the Flat (stays 1¼m) and similar form over timber for Richard Hannon, runner-up in juvenile/maiden events at around 2m last month. Needs to step up a good deal to feature on yard bow, though.

Form: 522

Forecasts

Porticello (30/100), Collingham (13/2), Skycutter (15/2), Tanganyika (12/1), Cuban Cigar (66/1), Koi Dodville (100/1)

PORTICELLO took another sizeable step forward when landing the Grade 1 Finale Hurdle at Chepstow over Christmas and this looks a good opening for him to enhance his already impressive strike rate ahead of a tilt at the Triumph at Cheltenham next month. Skycutter and Collingham can emerge next best, in that order.