2.40 Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f

Beacon Edge: A Grade 1 winner as a novice chaser, the now 10-year-old has been revived over hurdles and was last seen winning a Grade 2 at Wetherby. That said, he has plenty to find in this type of company.

Maxxum: Won two nice pots in listed company last season and has the benefit of a run, but hard to see him finishing better than third.

Teahupoo: Jack Kennedy’s choice of Gordon Elliott’s trio won the last two renewals of this on his seasonal return, beating a solid Grade 1 horse each time. Three from three in Grade 1s last season, it’s hard to find a chink in his armour.

Lossiemouth: A clear leader of the mares’ division, and currently favourite for the Champion Hurdle. However, her last Grade 1 against geldings was in the four-year-old division, so she has something to prove against Teahupoo.

Conclusion

A disappointing turnout by numbers, though the market leaders bring plenty of class. Lossiemouth’s first Grade 1 in open company will be extremely informative, and that element of the unknown makes me lean towards Teahupoo, who aims to win this for the third year in a row.