For Auction Novice Hurdle (Grade 3)

Gordon Elliott had the first two in this last year and is well represented this time. Morgan sets a high standard but he faces a potentially hard task in trying to concede weight to two talented younger rivals. Stable companion Mengli Khan ran in the Racing Post Trophy and his second to Ex Patriot reads particularly well. He was beaten in this grade on heavy ground and it is possible he will prove better on less testing conditions. STRATUM impressed at Galway on soft ground when quickening up nicely between the final two flights to assert his superiority. He looks another smart recruit for the Mullins team out of John Gosden's yard and he is taken to add another string to his bow.

1. Stratum
2. Morgan
3. Mengli Khan