William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls

Fairly useful form when runner-up on the first of 2 starts in bumpers and shaped much better than on his hurdling debut when third of 15 in a Wincanton novice (15.2f, heavy) 15 days ago. Open to further improvement.

Form: 25-53

Blazing Soldier²²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford

£3,000 5-y-o, Soldier of Fortune gelding. Half-brother to fairly useful hurdler/useful chaser Evander. Dam unraced. Placed once from 3 starts in Irish points, last of 7 finishers last time (May 14).

Form: U3-7

Jean De Monts^t1²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

Showed some ability when sixth in 2m minor event on only outing on Flat in France but shaped as if amiss when tailed off on his recent Doncaster hurdles debut. Tongue strap on for 1st time.

Form: 9

Jo Arengeot Bey Aa³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr

Fetched £50,000 after winning his sole start between the flags and offered something to work on when third in a bumper at Uttoxeter on Rules debut 39 days ago. Likely to need further in time but still worthy of consideration on hurdle bow.

Form: 1-3

Konfusion⁵³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Ross Chapman| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

Shaped like a stayer in bumpers and did the same sent hurdling when third in 5-runner novice at Southwell (15.8f) in July 2022. Not seen since.

Form: 33-

Sao Carlos³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| BF

Justified favouritism when making a successful debut in a course bumper on Boxing Day last year. In need of the experience sent hurdling at Lingfield last month and should have learnt plenty from that. Leading claims.

Form: 1-4

Walk On Quest^t1²⁷⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V RussellWS

£100,000 buy after finished runner-up in an Irish point in March. Has had a breathing operation ahead of this Rules debut. Also fitted with a tongue strap. Likely type.

Form: 2-

Forecasts

Banteer (9/4), Sao Carlos (5/2), Walk On Quest (7/2), Jo Arengeot Bey Aa (6/1), Konfusion (8/1), Jean De Monts (20/1), Blazing Soldier (33/1)

SAO CARLOS should have derived plenty from last month's hurdling debut at Lingfield, so he's a confident choice to open his account at the second time of asking in this sphere. Banteer is open to further improvement, with Walk On Quest an intriguing Rules newcomer.