Minella Arris runs in the 3m novices’ hurdle (13.25) and after being bought for £200,000 after winning an Irish point and ran a stormer when a head runner-up to Chain Gang on hurdling debut at Leopardstown last December when in the care of Aidan O’Brien.

The five-year-old battled on bravely before getting chinned close home and had subsequent winners Road To Respect, Bellow Mome and Fire in His Eyes in behind.
That is very strong form and Minella Aris shaped with plenty of promise on his first start for George when third at Ayr back in March where a bad mistake three from home halted his progress.
The son of King’s Theatre is sure to come on for that experience and this looks a nice opening for him to get off the mark under rules.

Minella Aris and Sumkindofking look to hold leading claims of providing in-form trainer Tom George with a double on today’s card at Southwell.

The Gloucestershire handler has saddled five winners from his last 11 runners and boasts a terrific strike 23.5 per cent strike rate at the track in the last 12 months.