Sorry EDGT only just seen this.
Confined Maiden's by nature aren't generally the best events due to them being restricted to horses qualified with certain hunts, normally those in the local area (for this particular event it's likely to be the Dungarvan Harriers, Waterford Foxhounds etc.).
Certainly can't fault the way that Abbazagga won the race coming easily clear of his rivals. He'd shown form on his previous outing too when close-up prior to falling so there's a possibility he could be up to winning under rules particularly given the last two outings are the only times he's encountered cut in the ground (well cut in the ground and been put in the race). The opposition weren't much good though, the runner-up had been tailed off in a bumper for a shrewd outfit locally and then pulled up in a maiden that probably wasn't a great affair given the winner had been for sale fairly cheaply in the weeks leading up to it. It will be interesting to see how he fairs in winners races if they go that route with him or if they try and get him handicapped for hurdling.
The trainer is local so there's every possibility that he's targeted this race with Abbazagga - the other solid run from him came at the Dungarvan Harriers other meeting back in November.
This was the meeting that Sean Boyce attended for ATR a couple of years ago FWIW, albeit held on a different track this year due to the Dungarvan course being unavailable.
As for today's Wincanton event it combines horses who are better on better ground, horses who like the ground but won't stay and horses that IMO look gone at the game so here goes:
Coombe Hill - runner-up in this in 2013. Course and distance winner but that did come on better ground though he does handle cut. Contrary to reports he does not have a new trainer for this, Charlotte Tizzard got married during the Summer and as such is now Mrs Charlotte Fear.
Richards Sundance - yard out of form and drops into a HC for the first time here. Yard ran Randjo in HC's last year IIRC and he looks devoid these days so slightly concerned the horse has had an injury but at least he'll handle the ground.
Martys Mission - will love the ground and connections are keen to avoid fast ground with him given they aborted one trip to Cottenham in early December with him. Trip looks a bit on the long side for him (didn't appear to get home at Sandown) though he will love the ground.
Seigneur Des Bois - ran better than I expected him to at Newbury, will stay the trip and the ground shouldn't be too much of an issue but think he lacks the class for a race of this nature.
Gosser Time - only won the once and only third in what looked a decent Restricted LTO. Takes a step up in grade here though and the ground looks to be against him too.
Minella Theatre - looks undepriced to me, priced up on connections. Sole success on soft came in a selling hurdle and though he appeared to stay well enough over 3m4f that was on fast ground - ground against him also.
Shy John - has won on "dead" ground but generally struggles on soft or heavy and they were calling for the lifeboat at Lingfield last February. One of the better pointers in this and progressive but he needs to travel and he's unlikely to be able to do that on this ground.
Looks race to avoid like the plague - may be a match bet on value grounds if anyone prices up Martys Mission vs. Minella Theatre.