Coral Challow Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Imposing sort who showed fairly useful form when winning 2 bumpers last season but disappointing in 2 hurdle starts this winter.

Third in Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and has translated all that ability to hurdles, winning Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow on first attempt and good 1½ lengths second to Minella Missile (received 5 lb) in another Grade 2 at Cheltenham since. Top yard has excellent recent record in this race.

Runner-up on his sole outing in Irish points and 3-3 under Rules, namely a Uttoxeter bumper in March and novice hurdles at Newton Abbot and Ascot (2¾m) in recent months. Type to carry on improving but Harry Cobden sides with Captain Teague this time.

Wide-margin winner of sole start between the flags back in October 2021 and has looked a good prospect when taking a Taunton bumper and 2½m Carlisle novice hurdle on his 2 starts under Rules. This a big step up in class but he could be capable of a lot better.

Grade 2 bumper winner. It took a couple of starts for him to click over hurdles but he's been most progressive this season, completing a hat-trick in Cheltenham Grade 2 in October. Even better form when 2½ lengths second of 15 to Iberico Lord in Greatwood back at Cheltenham since.

Useful bumper winner who returned from 6 months off to make a successful start over hurdles in maiden at Chepstow (19.5f, heavy) in October. Better form when narrowly denied in C&D novice (good to soft) 4 weeks ago. Open to further progress.

Point winner who has made an excellent start under Rules, winning a bumper and 2 hurdles (all Ffos Las on testing ground). This a steep rise in grade but he's earned himself a shot at something better.

Expensive winning pointer who followed suit on both bumper outings last season and again looked something out of the ordinary when easily seeing off 12 rivals on his 2m course hurdle debut in November. Exciting prospect.

Showed improved and fairly useful form when narrowly denied in a 2m course listed event last month but still a maiden and she'll need to improve significantly for the longer trip if her first success is to arrive in this Grade 1 contest.