Heineken EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Penalties incurred for novice hurdle victories at Carlisle (2m4f October 2016) and more recently last week at Warwick (2m5f), so concedes weight all round. Clearly well suited by testing ground, and an official rating of 132 makes him the horse to beat despite this sharp drop in trip. Races prominently so likely to make this a good test for the others.

NHF winner who landed a pair of good ground hurdles over this trip in May 2016; Uttoxeter conditional jockeys maiden, and a three runner Worcester novices. Returned from a seven month break at Bangor prior to Christmas, and runs again in regular cheek-pieces, proven over this trip, a previous winner for this rider, but with slight question marks regarding softer ground.

Appeared to have stamina in spades when keeping on very strongly at this track to take a Class 4 (2m4f) novices hurdle by ten lengths in June (Good to Soft), but has raced four times since, including over further with little signs of progress. Drops back in trip to 2m which looks plenty sharp enough at a track which admittedly does seem to suit.

Half brother to winning chaser That's Rhythm who makes his hurdling debut needing to improve upon a sole start to date; when finishing tenth of 12 to Run To Milan in a soft ground Boxing Day Wincanton bumper.

Thrice raced Kayf Tara gelding who made a winning NHF debut at Worcester in August (Good to Firm), but struggled off a break in a much better race next time at Chepstow. A shade better at Warwick (fourth) on his final bumper start, but makes hurdles debut against an above average rival (Aintree My Dream) promising to be suited by further in time.

Like his stablemate Blue Rhythm, tries hurdles for the first time needing to build markedly on last month's NHF debut at Warwick; finished ninth of 14 to 50/1 winner Point of Principle.