Gelded Solo makes reappearance at Wincanton Paul Nicholls is keeping the faith with Solo as he makes his seasonal bow in the Unibet Elite Hurdle at Wincanton. The four-year-old made quite a splash on his British debut back in February, hacking up by 13 lengths in the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton to add to a previous Auteuil victory for Guillaume Macaire. Upped to Grade One company in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, Solo fell short in finishing a 10-and-a-half-length eighth — but Nicholls believes that effort can be excused and is keen to see how his charge, who has been gelded since, shapes up on his return. He said: “He’d probably done enough in France and had never seen a track like Cheltenham before. “Horses like Clan Des Obeaux and Frodon ran in the Triumph and finished in midfield like him. I’d put a line through Cheltenham — he’s had a nice break, he’s been gelded and has definitely improved. “This track is much more like Kempton, where he won the Adonis. He’s schooled great and is working well — I’m very excited about him. “We’ll stay over hurdles this year, and Saturday will tell us an awful lot.” Nicholls also fields Diego Du Charmil in Sayturday’s Grade Two heat, while 2016 victor Sceau Royal represents Alan King and arrives on the back of victory in the Welsh Champion Hurdle. Colin Tizzard’s Master Debonair is an intriguing runner, having been off the track since disappointing in his Cheltenham Festival prep back in February, with a planned Aintree outing scuppered by the cancellation of the Grand National meeting. Brandon Castle and Teqany complete the six-strong line-up. Nicholls fields Wincanton fan Grand Sancy in the “Rising Stars” Novices’ Chase, in which he faces just two rivals. He has won the last two of his five outings over fences, also finishing third at Grade One level on his chasing debut, and arrives with a Listed success at Chepstow already in the bank this season. The trainer said: “This has been the plan ever since he won at Chepstow. “He’s a good, solid jumper who loves good ground, so I think he’s got a great chance. “He’s a novice until December 1, and the experience he had in those good races last season will stand him in good stead. “He ran in the Elite Hurdle last year and was only just beaten — he loves Wincanton.
