HITMAN SET FOR WINCANTON RUN Mark Pitman is hoping to run Smurfit Champion Hurdle dark horse Hitman in the Axminster Hurdle at Wincanton a week on Thursday. The six-year-old, who also holds an entry in the Gerrard Supreme Novices` Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, is as short as 14-1 with Ladbrokes for the Champion Hurdle despite only having run twice over timber. The gelding finished fourth behind Geos in the Bula Hurdle on his seasonal debut at Cheltenham in December but has been prevented from appearing again by setbacks and unsuitably soft ground. Pitman said: 'I galloped Hitman at Newbury on Sunday morning and I was very happy with him. 'I`m hoping for some drier weather as he wants good ground and the Axminster Hurdle is certainly on our minds.' Other possible runners in the Stg£35,000 Grade Two contest, registered as the Kingwell Hurdle, include the Christy Roche-trained Grimes and Lord Brex from Philip Hobbs` yard.
