bookies.com Free Bets Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 6m 23.8s

Equus Secretus¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| D

11/8

Winner of a point-to-point on his debut he looked a good prospect when winning on his Rules debut at Huntingdon earlier in the month. Made all at Huntingdon and found plenty for pressure when challenged; this increased trip looks sure to suit him well.

Form: 1-1

Allmyown³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Dowson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| D

28/1

Irish maiden point-to-point winner at the second attempt he looked as though he needed the run despite only starting 9/1 in a Hexham maiden hurdle (reported to have lost a shoe). Should be able to do better in time though but has plenty to do here.

Form: 4/1-P

Another Stowaway²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George

4/6

Showed some fair form in three bumpers without winning but unseated his rider at the first on his hurdles debut. Brought out again quickly and started 80/1 when almost causing an upset at Aintree last time when second to a smart one who has won again since.

Form: 3/542-U2

Playful Prince^b1⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: L Treadwell| T: M Scudamore

200/1

Blinkers go on for the first time on this one who was pulled-up on his Rules debut in a maiden at Ffos Las. Hard to make much of a case for him on the evidence of that run and it may be a case of getting handicapped before we see anything from him.

Form: PU/P

Rollerball Rocco²¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: A Pogson| T: C T Pogson

50/1

Cost £15,000 as a five-year-old and makes his debut under Rules here having managed one runner-up spot in his point-to-point career. Would need to make a considerable improvement on what he's shown so far to figure here.

Form: 762-

Non-Runners

Bekkensfirth⁶⁹⁶

Weight: 10-12| Age: 8

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Another Stowaway (4/6), Equus Secretus (11/8), Bekkensfirth (4/1), Allmyown (28/1), Rollerball Rocco (50/1), Playful Prince (200/1)

Two lovely prospects go head-to-head here with the 7lb that Equus Secretus has to give away to ANOTHER STOWAWAY just tiling the balance in that one’s favour. Both horses have shown some very likeable form so far and it should prove close between the two. They stand head and shoulders above the others here with Bekkensfirth likely to need this and Allmyown having to step forward on what he showed last time.