Through The Card: Wincanton, Thursday 30 January

13:10 - The two previous winners over hurdles in the line-up CILl ANNA (1) and Whitehotchillifili look the two to concentrate on, with preference for the former given Paul Nicholls's recent record in the race. Cill Anna confirmed the promise of her hurdling debut when opening her account at Warwick last time, still looking rough around the edges but readily on top inside the final 50 yards. There should be plenty more to come from her, and she is fancied to make the requisite improvement to topple the favourite.

13:45 - TEA CLIPPER (1) was successful on his sole outing in points and got off the mark under Rules at the first time of asking at Warwick in October. He maintained his unbeaten record with an assertive victory at Kempton the following month, and pulled it out of the fire when well backed on his handicap debut at Huntingdon last time, deserving plenty of credit after rallying well to complete a hat-trick. Tea Clipper has plenty of stamina in his pedigree, so this step up in trip should suit, and he is fancied to land the four-timer.

14:20 - DARLAC (7) was unable to sustain a big move into contention from an uncompromising position after shaping like a well-treated horse for much of the way in the Classic Chase here earlier this month, beaten in a share of fifth when falling four out. There was plenty of promise before the fall, though, and the drop back in trip will suit now. The handicapper has dropped him 2 lb since, and Darlac could outrun his odds here.

14:55 - French recruit CALVA D'AUGE (1) showed improved form to get off the mark over hurdles in a Plumpton maiden on his first start for Paul Nicholls in November, and lost little in defeat when a good second in a Haydock listed event on his penultimate start before being found out in Grade 1 company in the Tolworth Hurdle last time. He is much respected here and should be able to take advantage of this return to calmer waters.

15:25 - JAYTRACK PARKHOMES (1) showed plenty when winning a bumper on his Rules debut in 2018, but hasn't progressed as expected since switching to hurdles. However, he has looked an improved performer since undergoing wind surgery in the off-season, and rates the type that could do even better now switched to fences. Baring a below-par run on his latest start, he has been holding his own in much better races than this over hurdles and, granted a clear round of jumping, he could prove too good for these on his chasing debut under Harry Cobden who rides this track well.

15:55 - VIRAK (2) was a classy chaser for Paul Nicholls and has been hugely consistent in this sphere since joining Rose Loxton's yard and, though his last run under Rules was a somewhat disappointing second at Stratford in May, he did lower the colours of Southfield Theatre in a point earlier this month. A repeat of that performance should be enough to see him get the better of stablemate Earth Leader and make a successful return to Rules.

16:30 - HURRICANE MITCH (4) looked in need of the experience throughout the first half of his debut, but he caught the eye late on when picking up strongly, and is expected to take a big step forward here. Baddesley stayed on gamely to land an above-average bumper last time and is the only previous winner in the field.