Ryan Direct Group Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Lightly-raced and an improving profile, having come back well from a lay-off to win a Fontwell novices hurdle over a similar trip last month with some authority. Decent effort on his handicap debut last time out and despite a 2lb rise he looks the one to beat.

Won a bumper and his debut novices' hurdle, both on good ground, in the autumn and then lost his action at Cheltenham in December. Good effort again under a penalty at Exeter last time and should be capable of making a race of it on this handicap debut.

Won a heavy ground Taunton bumper in the early part of last year and after a seven-month break he did well back at that track to be runner-up on his hurdles debut (2m3f, good). Got off the mark over obstacles at Kempton (2m5f, good to soft) last time and going the right way ahead of this handicap intro.

Goes into this as a maiden after two decent runs in defeat in handicap company. The second of those was on heavy ground when he was a beaten favourite and that has to be a slight concern going into this competitive little event.

Shown little in three starts in maiden and novices' company but on that evidence alone, this mark looks tough enough for his handicap debut and best watched today.