Verdict

Denman stands out here and is selected, with his biggest dangers possibly proving to be Buena Vista and Zaiyad. Denman has quite rightly leapt to the head of the Royal and SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle betting lists by virtue of his demolition of The Cool Guy and Boychuk in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle here last time; a repeat of that type of run would make him very hard to beat today. On an earlier Cheltenham form line with Boychuk - admittedly over two miles - Buena Vista has a lot to find with the selection, although he should still go well. Jeremy Cuddle Duck had looked decent prior to flopping here last time but has it to prove now but the French raider Zaiyad has shown decent form across the Channel and is respected; however the one to beat is Denman.

Formwatch

Buena Vista (IRE) 8-13fav (11-10) Led, mistake 3rd, ridden 3 out, driven and headed between last 2, no extra, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Noland (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (C) gs in Dec.

Denman (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) With leader throughout, led 3 out, pushed clear approaching last, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs beating The Cool Guy (11-7) by 21l, 8 ran.

Jeremy Cuddle Duck (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 4th, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Black Jack Ketchum (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (B) gs in Nov, 18 ran.

Zaiyad (IRE) (10-10) won at Cagnes-Sur-mer 2m 3f hdl gd in Dec beating Espoir De Kerbarh (10-10) by 4l, 5 ran.

Turnstile 2-5fav (11-13) Tracked leaders, led after 7th, clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd beating That's Rhythm (11-1) by 5l, 11 ran.