AU - Ballarat - Race 1

One for the thrill-seekers to start the day with BOLD SOUL (1) deep odds-on at his jumps debut. Easy to see why, though, as an ever-reliable flat performer who raced consistently through winter in some Flemington staying events. Defeated last year's Grand National Hurdle winner Highland Blaze in the latest of them and showed his aptitude for jumps racing with a steeple trial win since. If something goes awry with him, KHOR (2) looks the obvious. He's also on debut over the twigs and was well held by Bold Soul last start on the flat but ran fourth in the Warrnambool Cup earlier in the year and has had one more trial than the favourite in preparation for this. Got the rest, of which we'll give the nod to FLYING WITNESS (7) who is a little more seasoned over the jumps than most rivals. RED ACES (5) probably has more improvement to come than others, so he could improve. OMEO (4) was outclassed last start, but did enough the run prior to be a place chance here.