Heineken Maiden Hurdle

Yard in cracking form, which is more than we can say for this gelding, who has disappointed since he made a promising bumper debut. Has failed to see out either hurdle over similar trips and looks best watched until sent handicapping.

Well beaten in sole point-to-point start in May and now tries racing under rules. Trip should be no problem looking at pedigree, though dam has failed to produce a winner from five foals so percentage call is very much to take on this son.

Very smart bumper performer who won three out of four in that sphere, though well beaten in most starts over hurdles. Did close well in defeat from 2lb lower at Plumpton (3m1f, soft) in January and no reason why he can't be very effective under a positive ride back over this trip.

Debut point-to-point scorer who has run two reasonable races in maiden hurdles over similar trips to this. No problems with conditions and would be interesting if backed.

Runner-up three times in a row last spring, so this time of year suits him, and he is now 5lb lower than the last of those decent runs. Not yet won after a break, which has to be a concern, but otherwise looks a likely player.

Ran Air Horse One close on his Exeter debut last season, going on to win a bumper next time. Not yet sparkled over hurdles, but this wouldn't be as tough a race as the one he was pulled up in at Kempton last time.

Won a bumper here earlier in the season (soft) best effort over hurdles was at Doncaster (2m5f, good to soft) in February. Not a bad run in context at Newbury last time and looks the one to beat.