This is a wide-open handicap hurdle, which is likely to be run at a frenetic gallop. SIR GALAHAD appears one of the overpriced runners, for trainer Olly Murphy. The Churchill gelding steps up in distance, following a pair of promising runs over shorter this term — including a keeping-on sixth at Cheltenham in October. He was caught behind horses, before consenting to storm home. That fine effort also came in stronger company and I’m surprised he was dropped a pound in the weights. He’s worth chancing at big each-way odds, to see if he can improve for the extra journey here.

MIAMI MAGIC was well-backed and prominent throughout before powering clear to hose in by a ready 15L in a Class 3 Novices' Chase at Newbury in February, gaining his second victory over fences in the process. This followed on from his 4L Cheltenham Class 2 triumph earlier in the year, with a below-par effort at Sandown in-between those successes. Charlie Hammond is operating on a 44% strike-rate onboard the Stuart Edmunds-trained gelding, with a record of four wins from nine rides. He has also twice placed at this level, including in the Formby Novices' Hurdle at this venue two years ago. The manner of his latest Newbury win proved that he stays the trip , and with a clean round of jumping, he looks to have an excellent shout.

If the Philip Hobbs and Johnson White-trained SOBER GLORY repeats his excellent second in the G1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, then he will be tough to pass. That form is head and shoulders above any of his rivals’ best form, and he has a clear ratings edge over the opposition. I expect him to make all of the running, at a track which is expected to suit — considering he is a three-time winner on Newbury’s flat circuit.

I had this 2m4f Grade One Chase between the front two in the market — HEART WOOD and Grey Dawning. The latter arrives here after a sound fourth in the G1 Gold Cup last month, and he may be able to eke out improvement in first-time cheekpieces. I prefer the former, though, as the Henry De Bromhead-trained eight-year-old comes here on the crest of a wave — following his excellent 10-length success in the G1 Ryanair Chase last month. He could still have further improvement to come and ought to relish the good-ish surface.

The Warren Greatrex-trained 10-year-old gelding BILL BAXTER is one of only a handful with previous winning form at the track. He won this race in 2023, with a game 1.75L triumph under Sam Twiston-Davies off the same weight. His form since that success has been patchy at best but he landed a Listed affair at Punchestown around this time last year, and he has twice finished in the money from four subsequent outings. He has six wins from 23 runs on good-to-soft but would probably appreciate a bit of rain overnight, however with the trip of no concern I feel he is certainly capable of making the frame at a decent price.

The progressive GOOD GIRL KATHLEEN is lightly-raced and I feel capable of out-running her odds, in what is her toughest assignment to date. The Emmet Mullins-trained mare travelled strongly when second in the Irish EBF Novice Hurdle Listed contest at Cork, proceeding a dominating 8.5L triumph in the a G3 Novices’ Hurdle at the same venue. The dependable and in-form Donagh Meyler is having a great season and is operating on a 32% strike-rate over the last 14 days with six wins from 19 rides. The Irish mare had excuses last time when pulling-up in bottomless conditions at Warwick and could bounce back with a big run at huge odds.

THE MIGHTY CELT certainly caught the eye, when staying-on nicely for sixth at Cheltenham last month. A shade keen early, he finished his race off well enough and ought to be suited to what is anticipated to be a strong pace here. This appears an easier assignment and I was a touch surprised that the handicapper left him on a mark of 131. He is worth an each-way wager at a double-figure price.