Read Paul Nicholls Exclusively At Betfair Novices' Hurdle

Exciting prospect who won a couple of bumpers when trained by John Ferguson and finished sixth in the Champion Bumper at last year's Cheltenham Festival. Has not stopped improving for current trainer and now comes here chasing a hat-trick over hurdles after winning over C&D and more recently at Catterick, readily by nine lengths. Has won on going from good through to soft, so forecast conditions not a problem and should go very well again despite giving weight away all around.

Made a promising start without winning until doing so in a Towcester maiden hurdle last time out. Carries a penalty for that here and although there is no reason why he won't improve again, he will need to do a fair bit of that if he is to follow-up.

Triple winner on the Flat at up to 1m 4f and rated 89 in that sphere when in the care of Ralph Beckett. Introduction to hurdling has not delivered on that obvious potential so far and although yard is in form, a sharp improvement is needed to get involved today.

Modest form in two bumpers and one hurdle so far and looks very much up against it in this company.

Runner-up in his debut bumper at Uttoxeter in December (heavy) and the form of that has worked out well. Stable going great guns and he should be well schooled and ready to put up a decent performance here. Short-list material.

Four-times a winner on the Flat at up to an extended 1m 5f, with a highest winning mark in that sphere of 72. Hurdles runs have been sporadic and unconvincing and not difficult to look elsewhere today.

Another who has won four times on the level at trips around a mile, though does just about get ten furlongs. Stamina and ability (rated 86 on the Flat) will be fully tested here.

Has run well in both his debut bumper and his hurdles introduction last time and should be able to continue his upward curve here, although the likelihood is that he will be in the shake-up for a place in the frame.

Won on the Flat (extended 1m 3f) at Roscommon on his last start in Ireland before joining this top British yard, for whom he won a Uttoxeter maiden hurdle on his first start just a couple of weeks ago. Did it nicely that day and with natural improvement for that it is not difficult to envisage him taking a close hand today.

Stays 1m 6f on the Flat (rated 93) and has raced as though this sort of trip is on the short side for him over hurdles. A strong pace would suit him.