Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 14 November 2009 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet View Market

Only Barizan has shown form good enough to win an average renewal of this and is the one they all have to aim at, but Screaming Brave showed much better form than many might think when a fluent-jumping second on his hurdling debut and he's likely to represent good value to provide Sheena West with another juvenile success. Pistolet Noir is a definite fly in the ointment, though.

Barizan is a durable front-running juvenile who's won five of his six starts and all four since fitted with a visor. He galloped on strongly as usual when landing the odds under McCoy here last time and sets the standard.

Nicky Nutjob left Flat and hurdles form behind when a rather fortunate winner of a below-par renewal of the Wensleydale at Wetherby. Faces much stiffer test in terms of both stamina and opposition here.

Royal Max is front runner who's better over hurdles than on the Flat and won twice at Stratford in August. He looks exposed now, however, and has twice been well beaten by Barizan, including here a month ago.

Olofi was having only his second start of any description (unraced on Flat) when winning at Chepstow in October, beating subsequent winner Blazing Buck. He is a good-looker who's clearly open to more improvement.

Roseska has soon shown herself as good a hurdler as Flat horse, winning at Clonmel and Gowran (improved again to beat subsequent winner Chebona Bula). Respected, but this possibly a step too far.

Pistolet Noir is a half-brother to a winning hurdler/chaser and shaped very well when third to Olofi at Chepstow on debut. He is weighted to reverse that form and open to at least as much improvement.

Screaming Brave won twice on the Flat for Mick Channon and quickly showed he's even better over hurdles by pulling clear of the rest when second to Causeway King at Warwick. Could well be underrated.

Trumpstoo made a good start to the jumping game when quickening clear of a next-time-out winner at Wetherby. He improved (and was possibly unlucky) when second to Nicky Nutjob there next time, but this stiffer finish is a worry.

Princess Soraya has shown as much temperament as ability on the Flat (for Robin Dickin) and in juvenile hurdle.

Tags: Barizan, Cheltenham, Nicky Nutjob, Olofi, Pistolet Noir, Princess Soraya, Roseska, Royal Max, Screaming Brave, Trumpstoo