'I'm not deluded' - Laura Morgan in search of her first Graded victory

Saturday: 1.32 Kelso
bet365 Premier Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) | 2m2f | 4yo+| ITV/RTV

There should be Cheltenham and Aintree pointers coming from what looks a really competitive running of this Grade 2 novice hurdle.

The Cheltenham clues will be available as favourite was three lengths behind Supreme Novices' Hurdle fancy Jonbon at Haydock in January, and those who like the chances of the latter will be looking for another boost.

The form of Jonbon's previous Ascot win has already worked out with the third and fifth finishing second and sixth in the Betfair Hurdle (in reverse order), but the Ascot race was run at a crawl and the Haydock one ought to offer a truer reflection of his capabilities – and if Richmond Lake dominates, confidence in Nicky Henderson's contender can only rise.

It's not all about Cheltenham, though, and there may be others with big-race targets on the horizon at Aintree, as five of the last six winners of this have gone on to make the first four in top company at the Grand National meeting.

The only winner was My Drogo, who followed up his runaway success here with another one in the Mersey Novices' Hurdle, and his trainer Dan Skelton is represented by .

Like My Drogo, he arrives unbeaten after just two hurdles outings, but he hasn't yet achieved anywhere near as much.

It's far from a two-horse race, though, as with shouldering a 5lb penalty for his Cheltenham success, there is no more than 5lb between seven of the nine runners on adjusted ratings.

, a third contender yet to be beaten over hurdles, is officially best at the weights after his runaway Wetherby success last time, yet is only fourth favourite.

His trainer Laura Morgan may not have the profile of those in charge of shorter-priced rivals, but she has a 44 per cent strike-rate since February 17 (7-16).

If this turns into a test, which it might given the amount of rain forecast and the fact a few of these have made the running (including Richmond Lake), this strong stayer could prove the value.
Race analysis by Paul Kealy

Bold Endeavour a great advert for Morgan

Laura Morgan is enjoying a stellar season and Bold Endeavour could be a maiden Graded success for the burgeoning stable.

Her six-year-old made it two wins from two over hurdles with an impressive 12-length victory at Wetherby and Morgan is quietly confident of a big run.

Bold Endeavour: could give Laura Morgan her first Graded winnerCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The trainer said on Friday: "He's been in great form at home. I'm not deluded, I know he's massively up in Grade, but he's been very impressive thus far.

"I thought it was a hot novice hurdle at Wetherby last time and although we know he'll want further in time, we go there with a live chance."

Morgan has won with five of her last 14 runners and expert placing of her horses has been a feature of the Leicestershire-based trainer's season.

On the prospect of a maiden Graded win, Morgan added: "It'd be fantastic for the whole team. For a few of these bigger owners it might prick their ears to send horses to a smaller yard."

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Sholokjack
He's been impressive in two novice hurdles. He takes a big step up in grade but we're looking forward to trying him in a deeper pond and we're happy with him at home.

Alan King, trainer of North Lodge
He still looked green when winning at Cheltenham in January and this will give him more experience. He's been working well since that Grade 2 success and should be suited by this two and a quarter miles.

Alan O'Keeffe, assistant trainer of It's Good To Laugh
We think a lot of him. He'll like the ground and he couldn't have been more impressive last time. If his jumping holds up we'd be hopeful of a good run. It's a competitive race but I wouldn't swap him.

Jane Williams, trainer of Honneur D'Ajonc
Chester [Williams] said we need to stop running in novices with penalties and have a go at a proper race. We've crept up the handicap slowly and probably don't have too much in hand, but I think he's got a bit of a chance. It was the right thing for the horse to have a bigger target and I'm quietly hopeful.

Nicky Richards, trainer of Nells Son
It's a competitive race but I think he'll put up a bold show. We rode him a bit conservatively at Haydock and he finished it out well, that gives us confidence that he's back on track.
Race reporting by Owen Goulding

Read a selection of Saturday previews . . .

1.50 Newbury: does Paul Nicholls have another likely type in bid for tenth Greatwood Gold Cup?

2.40 Kelso: can exciting Espoir De Romay continue the trend of Premier performances?

3.15 Kelso: Nicky Henderson warns 'Buveur D'Air will come on an awful lot for the run'

Big-race analysis: can Buveur D'Air defy top weight and raise the roof at Kelso? (Members' Club)

3.30 Meydan: 'I think he's a big player' – Godolphin trio take on Lord Glitters in Jebel Hatta

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