Free Spins At 188Bet Casino Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 11:56 | Winning time: 4m 32.60s

Midnight Shadow¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

13/8

Well suited by cut in the ground this Newcastle bumper winner took a 2m Uttoxeter novices event by 1¼L on hurdles debut in October, and followed up going down fighting when narrowly beaten by Delire D'Estruval in a Listed event at Haydock latest.

Form: 127-12

The Last Day³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: Evan Williams

11/4

A winner on his second start in a Southwell bumper in January, he finished behind Midnight Shadow next time at Newbury. Off to the perfect start over hurdles at Chepstow in November (2m maiden, soft) when beating Mahlermade by a cosy 5L.

Form: 819-1

Mont Des Avaloirs²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: P F Nicholls| BF

5/4

Justified odds-on favouritism in a Chepstow bumper in October (good), and would've made a winning hurdles debut at Wincanton in mid-November, but for a final flight fall, gifting the race to Kilbricken Storm. Brother to Le Prezien.

Form: 2-1F

Forecasts

Mont Des Avaloirs (5/4), Midnight Shadow (13/8), The Last Day (11/4)

A poor turnout numerically but impossible to definitively dismiss any of the three runners. Sean Bowen is likely to keep things simple aboard Mont Des Avaloirs and attempt to make all in receipt of 6lb from his two rivals. Barring his fall at the final hurdle at Wincanton last month, it was a fairly seamless hurdles debut, and the Paul Nicholls trained full brother to Le Prezien could in truth by anything. However, he faces a battle hardened rival in the shape of MIDNIGHT SHADOW, and he handles testing conditions well, with his form in bumpers and over hurdles so far having a slightly more solid look and feel.