16:05 Wincanton

Thursday 7 March 2024

All13:5014:2514:5515:3016:0516:40

Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 4m 2.7s

Hawk Stone³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Benjamin Poste| T: H Dickin| OR: 97

33/1

Showed more than in bumpers when sixth of 18 in maiden at this C&D (heavy) on his hurdles bow in December. However, he's been well beaten both starts since, so improvement required as he makes his handicap debut.

Form: 06679

Orange Diamond^p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: R Patrick| T: C Boultbee-Brooks| OR: 94

8/1

Fairly useful handicap hurdler in France but has failed to complete over fences all 5 starts for current yard. However, in first-time cheekpieces he looked sure to be involved in the finish when falling 2 out at Hereford (20.9f, soft) 22 days ago. Interesting back hurdling.

Form: 5PPPPF

Universal Secret³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 92| CD

7/1

Dual C&D winner last season but yet to fire in the current campaign, pulled up in handicap here (19.8f, soft) last month. Edging back down in the weights as a result, but he needs to get back on track returned to this shorter trip.

Form: 17-P56P

Miss Fedora³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 91

14/1

Opened her account at Fontwell (19.2f) in November but followed that with a lesser effort here (19.8f) the following month. Soon bounced back when fourth of 9 returned to Fontwell (21.8f) in January, though didn't quite see out the longer trip. Not discounted.

Form: 3271P4

Daany^h²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: J Tickle| OR: 85| CD

5/1

Finally off the mark at this C&D (heavy) in January and again ran well when second back here 6 days later. Below form at Ffos Las next time, but creditable effort back on the Flat when mid-field at Kempton (11f) 22 days ago. Shortlisted returned to this venue.

Form: 624127

Royal Regard²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryan Carver| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 85

100/1

Showed ability early in his career but his form has gone the wrong way, absent over 2 years prior to the current season and offering little in 2 starts for his current yard. Best watched.

Form: 8PP/07

Dundory⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 84

22/1

Fairly useful Flat winner but has made little impact in 3 starts in maiden hurdles this winter. He's worth a market check, though, given his ability on the level as he makes his handicap debut in this sphere.

Form: 000

Mr Zee⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: C J Todd| T: M Blake| OR: 84

12/1

Fair handicapper on the Flat, successful 3 times last year. However, he's finished well held all 3 starts over hurdles, never a threat when sixth of 17 in maiden at this C&D (soft) last time. Needs to take a step forward switched to a handicap.

Form: 806

Guivinec^t⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: J J Burke| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 79

8/1

Irish point winner but hasn't offered much in a bumper and novice hurdles so far, making no impression when fifth of 11 at Taunton (19f, good to soft) on his latest outing. However, no surprise to see him fare better now handicapping.

Form: 31-06P5

Robber's Bridge⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: James Best| T: Simon Earle| OR: 76

11/8

Remains a maiden after 16 NH runs but produced his best effort to date when runner-up in handicap hurdle at Leicester (2m, heavy) in January. That form is proving strong and he could be ready to open his account this time around.

Form: 233632

Canal Rocks^p,t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 75

80/1

One-time fairly useful handicapper on Flat but well below that level over hurdles, though did capitalise on his falling mark when successful at Worcester in June 2022. However, has finished down the field both starts since his return from 16 months off. Tongue strap back on.

Form: 31350-5

Non-Runners

River Robe¹⁰⁹

Weight: 11-11| Age: 5

T: M Young J: Non Runner

Flamenco De Kerser¹⁰²

Weight: 10-11| Age: 9

T: Mrs R Ford J: R P McLernon

Forecasts

Robber's Bridge (11/8), Daany (5/1), Universal Secret (7/1), Guivinec (8/1), Orange Diamond (8/1), Mr Zee (12/1), River Robe (12/1), Miss Fedora (14/1), Dundory (22/1), Hawk Stone (33/1), Flamenco De Kerser (33/1), Canal Rocks (80/1), Royal Regard (100/1)

ROBBER'S BRIDGE found some improvement when runner-up at Leicester on his latest outing, form which has worked out well, and he can build on that effort to go one better. Orange Diamond was in the process of running well over fences when departing last time, so he could be the main danger reverted to hurdling, ahead of C&D winner Daany.