Position Payout At bet365 Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Ended last season out of sorts over fences and probably best watched back hurdling following an 8-month absence (has undergone a wind op in the interim).

Point winner who showed ability on first of his 2 starts in this sphere for James Ewart. Looked rusty when fifth of 11 on return/debut for new yard 2½m Hexham maiden last month and better can be expected now upped in trip for this handicap bow.

More miss than hit between the flags and no show first 2 starts under Rules. However, there were more encouraging signs when fourth at Carlisle (17f, soft) last time and he's another who will likely be better off now faced with a stiffer test in handicap company. Cheekpieces applied.

Placed in an Irish point and signed off last term with her best effort yet, finishing second in 7-runner handicap at Wetherby. First run since undergoing a wind op when running poorly at Ayr last month, though, and will need to leave that well behind if she's to play a part in this.

Shaped with a bit of promise in Ireland for Eoin Doyle and stepped up on previous efforts for this yard when fourth in a 9-runner Market Rasen handicap (23f, good), despite not being ideally placed. Placed possibilities here if able to build on that.

On a good mark judged on placed efforts in several handicaps during 2023/24 campaign, but didn't offer much in a handful of appearances last term and again well held on return at Kelso.

Has made the frame on a handful of occasions off higher marks than this, but latest effort at Market Rasen wasn't one of his better ones and hurdles record now stands at 0-14.

It's been all downhill since his narrow breakthrough success in a handicap chase here in November 2023. Best to look elsewhere.