bet365 Scottish Stayers Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 6m 11.1s

Baron De Midleton⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 124| DWS

8/1

Stayed on well for pressure to see off the Alan King-trained Perfect Predator on his second hurdles start at Doncaster (2m½f, soft); has since undergone wind surgery and is penalised accordingly in a deeper race.

Form: F661/41

I K Brunel⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy| OR: 132

8/5

Highly tried since turning over Eden Du Houx in a 2m3f maiden (soft) at Fontwell in October; fair fourth to The Big Breakaway latest (third-placed Craigneiche has won in a workmanlike manner at Doncaster since); stamina untested at 3m.

Form: 136-184

Saint Xavier^t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr D Maxwell| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135

6/4

French import (ex-Pierre Raussin); was in very deep in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham (3m, soft) on debut for Paul Nicholls; ultra-impressive when dominating in a three-runner affair at Kempton since; sets the form benchmark.

Form: 3146-71

Some Chaos⁶⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Benjamin Poste| T: M Scudamore| OR: 135| D

9/2

Won four races on a sound surface over fences last season (2m4f-3m2f) rising sharply in the weights; off the track for 64 days since contesting the Grade 3 Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury (3m2f) in November; faces a very different test over hurdles.

Form: 2511-40

Forecasts

Saint Xavier (6/4), I K Brunel (8/5), Some Chaos (9/2), Baron De Midleton (8/1)

Some Chaos faces a very different test switching to hurdles having competed in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury in November, with his connections probably attracted by the combined prospect of a small field and drying ground. Furthermore, with I K Brunel having to prove himself stamina-wise over this 3m trip the most logical approach is to stick with the standard bearer SAINT XAVIER. Paul Nicholls charge was deeply impressive when dominating a three-runner affair at Kempton (3m½f, good to soft) three weeks ago.