The feature hurdle on the card may well fall to Oriak Des Ormeaux, Onyx Bruere and Gracechurch could provide most danger. The selection was an impressive winner in france before moving to the champion trainer. His first outing for Nicholls came in a competitive race at Taunton and with improvement expected he should go close this afternoon. Onyx Bruere also won in France and is making his debut for Alan King. It is hard to assess this one but the market should provide clues to his chances. Gracechurch showed great determination to land a Folkestone hurdle in January and is another with plenty of scope for improvement. Thenford Flyer has solid handicap form and looks the pick of the remainder, however there should be plenty more to come from Oriak Des Ormeaux and he gets our vote.
Oriak Des Ormeaux (FR) 11-10fav (11-11) Prominent, led 4th until next, led approaching 2 out, headed flat, no extra, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Nawaadi (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Thenford Flyer (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway to lead after 3 out, ridden and joined last, headed early flat, one pace, 2nd of 9, 4l behind William Bonney (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
Onyx Bruere (FR) Mansonnien gelding out of winning chaser Hervine Bruere.
Knapp Bridge Boy 80-1 (10-7) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 6th of 10, 9l behind Swift Half (10-0) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Apr.
Gracechurch (IRE) 5-6fav (10-11) Prominent in chasing group, closed to challenge last, soon led, driven out, won at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Cosmologist (11-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Participation 150-1 (10-12) Lost touch 4th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Raslan (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Arisea (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4th, led approaching 2 out, soon in command, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Back On Line (10-11) by 6l, 10 ran.
