Brian Martin Wood Chip Animal Bedding Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:47 | Winning time: 4m 44.7s

El Presente¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| CD

7/2

Stepped up on his bumper third when making a winning hurdling debut over this C&D on good ground last month. Penalised for that success he is one for the shortlist today.

Form: 31

Burning Heat²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D P Quinn| OR: 120

5/1

16 race maiden but running well in competitive handicap contests in this sphere earlier this year. Well held on sole start on the Flat for previous trainer and interesting to see how he fares today.

Form: 223-25P

Cogburn^e/s¹⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King

6/1

Placed twice in bumpers and made a pleasing hurdling debut when 9L second at Warwick (2m3f, good) in May. Worth a check in the market for a leading yard on his first run in nearly six months.

Form: 372-2

Equus Secretus²⁰⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: B Pauling

6/4

Impressive winner of a point-to-point at Dingley (good) over 3m in April. Connections paid £30,000 for him at the sales subsequently and he represents a stable with a 27% strike-rate (3/11) in recent weeks.

Form: 1-

Mister Mister^t⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen⁽⁷⁾| T: D L Williams| OR: 115

10/1

Winner of a maiden hurdle over 2m7f at Worcester (good) in September but outclassed when pulled up at Cheltenham (good) subsequently and likely to find at least one too good today.

Form: P-4931P

Piton Pete⁵⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood

8/1

Placed in bumpers and ran well when 8L third at Plumpton (good) over 2m on hurdling debut in May last year. Unraced since and probably best watched on his return from a long absence.

Form: 632/3-

Forecasts

Equus Secretus (6/4), El Presente (7/2), Burning Heat (5/1), Cogburn (6/1), Piton Pete (8/1), Mister Mister (10/1)

EQUUS SECRETUS made an impressive debut in the point-to-point field and he can make a winning debut under rules in this contest. The selections trainer Ben Pauling won this race with a subsequent Grade 1 winner two years ago and his representative this time around can see off El Presente who carries a penalty for last months maiden hurdle success. Burning Heat, placed over hurdles a number of times in the past can finish third on his debut for a new trainer.