Trends boost claims of well-handicapped Nicholls hope

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Defi Du Seuil (150) is unbeaten in five starts over hurdles and already boast a rating on a par with an average winner of the race.

He has to contend with much faster ground than he encountered on his last couple of starts, but, a few clumsy jumps in the home straight at Chepstow apart, it is hard to find fault with what he he has done over hurdles to date and he rates a worthy favourite.

It looked set to be tight between Master Blueyes (141) and Charli Parcs (141) when the latter crashed out at the second-last at Kempton last time. Master Blueyes would probably have come out on top that day, but that was a muddling race and Charli Parcs may prove the bigger danger to the selection.