This looks a straightforward four-runner novice hurdle on paper, but small fields can often turn tactical and that may well be the case here. There is no obvious front runner in the line-up, so the early tempo could be steady. In that scenario, track position and jumping fluency could prove decisive turning for home.
Lon Chaney sets the standard on form. The Olly Murphy-trained gelding already has an official rating of 126 and has been competing in deeper novice company than this. His form figures show he has been competitive before finishing down the field last time, but this represents a drop into calmer waters. Sean Bowen is an excellent booking in a tactical race and if he gets this horse travelling prominently he should be very hard to beat.
Whiskey Yankee is the obvious danger. Sam Thomas’s five-year-old has shown steady progress in his novice hurdle career and his recent figures suggest he is moving in the right direction. His profile indicates he tends to be ridden with patience and finishes his races well, which is a positive in terms of ability, but in a four-runner race a hold-up ride can sometimes leave a horse with too much ground to make up. If the pace lifts from the back straight he will be closing late.
Soldier For Glory is the lightly raced runner in the field and the one with the most scope for improvement. His third on hurdling debut was encouraging and his pedigree suggests this trip will suit. Rebecca Curtis’s runners often improve for experience over hurdles, so a step forward would not be a surprise. However, he still has a bit to find with the top two on known form.
Makinbecon has shown little in two hurdle starts so far and would need a significant leap in performance to trouble the principals.
Overall, this race looks like it revolves around Lon Chaney, who brings the strongest form and the most reliable profile. Whiskey Yankee is the progressive rival and could make things interesting if the race is run at a decent tempo, while Soldier For Glory is the one to keep an eye on for future races as he gains experience.