Verdict

Master At Arms showed improved form when winning a handicap at Stratford recently and he has to be respected back in a novices' hurdle but he has a bit to find on official BHA ratings with BLACK JACARI, who looks the one they all have to beat with Tri Nations rated the main danger. The selection was a capable performer on the flat and has shown some decent form over hurdles, having been placed in his first four starts over timber. Not disgraced in his last two starts, Alan King's gelding looks to have been found a suitable opportunity to open his account. Gerald Ham's Freddy's Star has claims if able to reproduce the form shown when successful at Exeter in April but he has disappointed in both starts since then so looks best watched. Charlie Egerton's Duty Free made a promising debut over timber at Sedgefield last month but needs to improve on that effort to trouble the selection, while Nick Gifford's Bruff Academy is similarly lightly raced but does need to step up on all known form to get involved at the finish. The vote then goes to Alan King's Black Jacari, who is taken to gain a deserved first success over hurdles.

Formwatch

Freddy's Star (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Prominent, left in lead 2nd, headed approaching last, one pace, 4th of 14, 8l behind Factotum (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.

Master At Arms 7-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 3 out, led 2 out, pushed clear and hit last, won at Stratford 2m 3f 4yo Am hcp hdl (4) gd in May beating Billie Magern (11-3) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.

Tri Nations (UAE) 10-11fav (10-8) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, mistake last, driven and stayed on, won at Fakenham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in May beating Chalentina (10-2) by 2l, 9 ran.

Bruff Academy (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 10, 34l behind Special Occasion (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.

Dichoh 22-1 (8-3) Steadied start, always in rear, never in contention, 9th of 10, 25l behind Forgotten Voice (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-90) (3) pol in May (flat).

Duty Free (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Raced keenly in mid-division, headway 2 out, ridden and effort approaching last, kept on flat, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Magnum Force (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.

Obrigado (USA) 40-1 (10-9) In rear, tailed off when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Benhego (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May, 7 ran.

Tchang Goon (FR) 100-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 13th of 18, 47l behind You're The Top (11-5) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.

Black Jacari (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Held up, headway 5th, ridden 2 out, no impression, 4th of 11, 11l behind Ski Sunday (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb.

Ormond Lad (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Towards rear, some progress from 3 out, kept on without threatening, 8th of 21, 17l behind Jafra (11-7) at Cork 2m 4yo mdn hdl gd in Apr.