It seems a bit crazy making a horse a NAP that has never jumped a hurdle but ESPRIT DU POTIER has strong form to his name in bumpers and ran well in defeat in a Grade 2 at Aintree on final start. He is bred to improve now sent jumping and with the yard in good form he is a confident bet to make a winning start. Dutch Schultz won a maiden hurdle at Wexford but then fell at Kilbeggan. If he manages a clean round he could still emerge as the main danger.

This might not take a great deal of winning so C&D scorer HURRICANE HARVEY could be the way to go. He was impressive under patient tactics here last year and was back to form on final start when beaten less than a length into second at Cheltenham so has obvious form claims. The Bomber Liston can travel strongly but doesn't always find much and just one career victory tells that story. West To The Bridge looks a bigger danger but has never won fresh and isn't getting any younger.