Turners Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Bumper winner who arrives here via the handicap route, improving once a tongue-tie was fitted to win at Hereford (about 2m4f) in December and Ascot (about 2m3f, also soft) in January; latter was a comfortable career best (wind surgery since) but this is a different test altogether.

Considered a Supreme hope at the start of the term and he did nothing to dispel those thoughts when impressing on hurdles debut in a Newbury maiden (about 2m, soft) in November; surprisingly turned over by a 3yo over that C&D (good) one month later but firmly back on track when sent up in trip to comfortably land a Huntingdon Listed event (about 2m4f, soft) last time; his trainer used that race as a stepping stone to Cheltenham Festival glory for Shishkin in 2020 and this one commands plenty of respect.

Unbeaten in a point and two bumpers before easily winning a Leopardstown maiden hurdle (2m, yielding; strong in the market) in December; fine effort when claimed on the line in a Grade 1 over that C&D (heavy) at the start of last month, with King Rasko Grey a close-up third, and his pedigree suggests this new trip will be no problem; very strong claims for his powerful yard.

Bumper winner who was off the mark on his second attempt over hurdles when winning a Ffos Las novice in January; heavy odds-on but he still impressed when easily defying a penalty at Chepstow (also 2m, soft) last month; dam won over this trip in a light hurdling career; not far away on the figures for last year's winning stable and he's impossible to rule out.

Won hurdles debut at Fontwell (2m3f) in October and by a wide margin at same track (2m2f, again good to soft) in December; third in a Grade 2 on the New course here (about 2m5f; Taurus Bay second) was another good effort; that form still leaves him with something to find, however.