Oddschecker Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Progressive novice but this is his first time in a Graded race of any nature and he finished some 10l behind Mondoui'boy at Ascot on his penultimate start; he'd be a surprise winner.

He's gone 3-3 since the cheekpieces went on and it was pretty straightforward from the front in a Grade 2 at Haydock the last time (3m, good to soft) when 4l too good for the strong-finishing Ubatuba who ran a respectable seventh in the Albert Bartlett; arrives here fresher than some; respected.

Talented Irish raider but with questions to answer at this level having twice finished well beaten in Grade 1s (2m4f/2m6f) since winning a maiden at Leopardstown over Christmas; the cheekpieces are new.

Dual bumper winner; lacked the gears to mix it with top 2m novices earlier in the season but, raised in distance, he wasn't overly troubled to win minor races at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) and Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy); mixed messages on pedigree as to whether this far will be a help or a hindrance, but can't be dismissed.

Beaten in one run for Nicky Henderson but now 3-3 for current yard after coming from the clouds in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham last month (3m, soft); that win seemed unlikely when out the back for much of the race, and even two out he had more in front than behind him; evidently a strong stayer but this flatter, sharper course could ask different questions of him.