Read Paul Nicholls Exclusively At Betfair Newton Novices' Hurdle (Listed)

Off time: 12:05 | Winning time: 3m 46.7s

Ballinsker³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: Evan Williams| D

11/2

Point-to-point winner that made a vicrotious start to his hurdling career with a fairly effortless win at Ludlow making all and looking in charge when nearest rival fell; this is tougher but has plenty of potential for better.

Form: 1-1

Calva D'Auge¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132| D

6/1

Looked a useful prospect when scoring on debut for the yard at Plumpton earlier in the month, readily going clear in the closing stages; any rain probably a plus, and trainer will be all out to win a race with his name in the title.

Form: 26P22-1

Glory And Fortune^h³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: R M Power| T: T Lacey| D

5/1

2-2 so far, winning a Listed bumper at Cheltenham and then a maiden hurdle at Huntingdon despite a bad mistake three out; that form open to question but he's clearly smart and is not to be underestimated.

Form: 1-1

Thebannerkingrebel²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 139| BF| D

5/4

Useful in bumpers last year, rounding off with a second to McFabulous in the Grade 2 at Aintree, and might well be 3-3 over hurdles but for an unlucky fall at Wetherby last time. That form makes him the one to beat here.

Form: 1P/2-11F

Thor De Cerisy³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R P McLernon| T: M Scudamore| D

33/1

Doing little wrong and lost little in defeat to the useful Prudhomme at Uttoxeter last time (nicely backed) and will improve on that, but meets some hot company here and the places may be the best her can hope for.

Form: 180-2

Torn And Frayed⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

7/1

Good-sized gelding that will want a fence in time but made a good impression when a neck second at Warwick on hurdles debut last month (not unbacked at big prices). Dangerous to underestimate and will improve on that.

Form: 5-2

Young Lieutenant¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: W Greatrex

16/1

Bumper winner at Exeter in January and made a good start to his hurdling career when a staying-on second at Newbury; likely to want further in time but with a bit of improvement again, has place chances at worst here.

Form: 251-2

Forecasts

Thebannerkingrebel (5/4), Glory And Fortune (5/1), Ballinsker (11/2), Calva D'Auge (6/1), Torn And Frayed (7/1), Young Lieutenant (16/1), Thor De Cerisy (33/1)

THEBANNERKINGREBEL already has Graded bumper form to his name and his trainer fully expects him to make the top grade over hurdles as well. He's done nothing to think those thoughts are fanciful and he can win this on the way to bigger and better things. Calva D'Auge did the job nicely at Plumpton and no doubt Mr Nicholls will want a good showing in a race that has his name to it, but Torn and Frayed was clearly expected to go well at Warwick and could be useful. He might be the biggest danger. Glory and Fortune and Young Lieutenant are both promising sorts and this race should prove informative.