Border Minstrel Dog Friendly Pub Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Went close on the second of his 2 starts between the flags but looks one for handicaps at longer trips judged on his 2 runs over hurdles in recent weeks.

Just poor on Flat nowadays (stays 1½m) and makes little appeal on this switch to hurdling.

Confirmed debut promise at the second time of asking when off the mark in 11-runner bumper at Hereford (2m, good) in April, going with enthusiasm. Interesting hurdling debutant.

Poet's Word gelding from very good Flat family who picked up strikingly well to win his first 2 starts in bumpers last winter. Found the Champion Bumper too competitive last time but still a useful prospect for novice hurdling.

Fairly useful 1m winner on all-weather for Oliver Cole. Didn't get home when fifth of 9 on 17f Cartmel hurdle debut but managed to see things out better despite having refused to settle when filling same spot at Perth last month. Hood on for first time.

Flat-bred gelding who exceeded expectations when second in a speed-favouring bumper here on debut, but went the wrong way in 2 subsequent outings in that sphere and flat out refused to race tried on the Flat latest. Hard to fancy on hurdling bow.