'We asked Verdana Blue some extraordinary questions and she never flinched'

5g Fame And Glory - Victorine
Magniers'/Mrs P Shanahan/Justin Carthy
24-
RPR 103b
Typical of the stock of his much-missed sire, he's big and has taken time, but I think this term will bear fruit in novice hurdles.

9g Flemensfirth - Kestral Heights
Christopher Hanbury
3/1908-1
RPR 156h OR 155c
Had a wonderful campaign winning at Doncaster and nailing a big one at the Punchestown festival, which meant a lot to the Hanburys. I suspect he'll have a similar campaign, although the handicapper has had his say and I don't know where we'll start.

9g Mahler - Acoola
JP McManus
125/11P-
RPR 156c OR 151c
Finally went chasing last season and looked one of the best staying novices, being particularly impressive in his festival prep at Warwick, but he was knocked sideways by the flu outbreak and his National Hunt Chase performance was below par. He still has a huge future and Newbury's Ladbrokes Trophy is a possibility.