Kingwell Hurdle Runners Guide: The lowdown on four Wincanton runners

Wincanton's feature race on Saturday comes in the shape of the Kingwell Hurdle, with just four runners but an intriguing contest in store nonetheless. Billy Grimshaw provides us with a runners guide... 

1. Burdett Road - James Owen - Sam Twiston-Davies - 8/11

The odds-on favourite across the board is many people's long term each-way antepost selection BURDETT ROAD, a horse who was high class as a juvenile until brought down to earth with a bump by the mighty Sir Gino last season and in the end not being good enough in the Triumph behind Majborough. He has run with plenty of credit so far in this his first season outside of juvenile company, scooping the Greatwood Hurdle in impressive fashion to prove himself as more than a handicapper before a creditable third to Constitution Hill in a Grade 1 last time out.

That is probably the placing he is gunning for at Cheltenham in March if he takes his chance in the Champion, especially if the mares in Brighterdaysahead or Lossiemouth turn up, but here he will surely be all out for victory and with his high cruising speed off the front end, he could well be a tough cookie to pass. Whether he is still quite as pacy as some of the competition in here - well, one horse in particular - remains to be seen and it won't be easy to give weight and a beating to Brentford Hope and Golden Ace.

2. Hansard - Gary & Josh Moore - Niall Houlihan - 16/1

The outsider of the quartet is Hansard and while it would be a shock to see him come home in front considering the ratings and the profiles of his opponents, it would not be racing's biggest shock to see this lad bounce back to something like his best for a team who seem to have finally turned the corner from a poor winter. Last seen finishing eighth at Windsor behind Secret Squirrel and the way his effort quickly petered out following a mistake two out was no what backers would want to see going forward, however the yard were off colour at the time and seem in a better spot now.

Like Burdett Road he burdens 11st8 in here compared to 11st4 for Brentford Hope and just 11st for Golden Ace which won't make his task any easier, however perhaps he will enjoy a smaller field than he has become accustomed to and could pick up the pieces if a few of the more high profile runners disappoint. 

3. Brentford Hope - Harry Derham - Paul O'Brien - 6/1

Looking purely at past performances, running Constitution Hill to three lengths should really make Brentford Hope the odds-on favourite in here. However, that bare result does not tell the full story of that race, with the returning champion heavily eased down and Harry Derham's charge making all his progress late on after being thoroughly outclassed. There is absolutely no disgrace in this, but with Brentford Hope looking a horse not quite suited to two miles or two and a half, around a speed favouring track like Wincanton I expect him to be tapped for toe by a couple in here.

The ground going properly soft could aid his chances but the forecast looks set fair and as such, I would be surprised were he able to win the race however if the front two in the market go at things early doors and one sees off the other, he could well nick second.

4. Golden Ace - Jeremy Scott - Lorcan Williams - 5/2

It has been a season to forget so far for last year's surprise Mares' Novices' Hurdle, with no wins chalked up and some disappointing performances running over the intermediate trip. Jeremy Scott has never really got going this campaign either and his handling of his new star has been questioned in some quarters, with her raw pace clearly her main asset. It makes sense to have tried to stretch her out, with the big prize for mares of course coming in the shape of Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham over that trip, however logic has finally prevailed and she is back over two miles today.

Behind her at Cheltenham last March was of course Brighterdaysahead, who has gone on to defeat the mighty State Man twice this season and take over as odds-on fav for the mares as well as a bona-fide Champion Hurdle contender. In the fullness of time, Golden Ace defeating Brighterdaysahead may be looked back on as an anomolous result akin to Western Warhorse's 2014 Arkle, but I still retain faith this is a high class mare with speed to burn.

This sharp test around Wincanton should be right up her street and with Scott's yard finally looking to be getting a bit of form at the perfect time, I'd chance her to beat favourite Burdett Road if given a free bet for the race.