Rathbones Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Fairly useful on Flat (2m winner) for Jane Chapple-Hyam and has taken well to hurdling, just shaken up to beat six rivals over C&D (soft) last month; open to improvement and should go well under a penalty.

Won at Sedgefield (2m4f, good) in May and all but followed up over C&D two weeks later; subsequent Flat efforts have been less positive and he was tailed off in handicap at Pontefract 17 days ago; leading contender if bouncing back on return to hurdling.

Tailed off in Carlisle bumper (25-1) last autumn and has had second wind operation since; difficult to recommend.

Useful Flat performer at up to 1m6f for the Gosdens but regressive for his current yard and tailed off on his last four starts (blinkered on latest); perhaps he'll be sweetened up by hurdling but he carries obvious risks.

Came good over hurdles at the third attempt, keeping on well for a clearcut C&D novice win; not entirely disgraced when eighth in handicap here the following month; faces weaker opposition today and commands major respect.