Watch Sky Sports Racing In HD Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 6m 36.98s

Boss Man Fred²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| D

2/5

Bought for £70,000 after winning Irish maiden point in March and showed a fine attitude when scoring by a nose on Rules bow for new yard in fair event at Kempton three weeks ago. Steps up 3f but sets a decent standard and has solid claims.

Form: 1-1

Balagan^h1²¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: N B King

22/1

Great Pretender gelding who finished midfield in Punchestown bumper in April on only start for Gordon Elliott. First start for new connections and champion jockey aboard so well worth checking for market interest.

Form: 0

Midnight Chill^b1,t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 113

5/1

Yard in fine form at present (36%). Won three handicap chases last term but has lost his way over fences in two starts so far this season. Back to timber and wears first-time blinkers. Has ability but has questions to answer at present as well.

Form: 2213-5P

Springfield Fox²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| D

5/1

3-3 in point-to-points but made frustrating Rules debut when stumbled and fell after 3 out at Bangor in staying novice hurdle last month. Showed enough to suggest he could be decent so looks a player with a clear round.

Form: 111-F

The Hotelier^t1²⁰⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Kieran Burke

66/1

Yeats gelding bought for £15,000 after finishing third in Irish maiden point in May. First-time tongue-tie for Rules debut. Looks to face a stiff task.

Form: P-3

Forecasts

Boss Man Fred (2/5), Springfield Fox (5/1), Midnight Chill (5/1), Balagan (22/1), The Hotelier (66/1)

This looks a fair heat. It won't be easy for BOSS MAN FRED who has to concede his 7lb penalty for a very game debut success at Kempton last time, but he showed a fine attitude and may improve for the longer trip this time. Main danger may prove to be Springfield Fox, unbeaten in trhee starts in points and who was certainly not out of it when knuckling over after jumping 3 out on his Rules debut at Bangor last month. Winning chaser Midnight Chill is interesting in first-time blinkers, while the unexposed ex-Irish Balagan is worth noting for any sign of market confidence.