British EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 5m 22.30s

Dashing Perk¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 127

5/4

Sprang back to form when scoring at Wincanton in a novice hurdle and looked a progressive sort despite only beating a small field. Made his handicap debut in tough company last time out of what looked to be a stiff mark (ran with credit); respected back in this easier company.

Form: 542-P18

Aptly Put¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: R Spencer| D

25/1

Made an encouraging start to his career living up to his pedigree in a good Aintree bumper finishing second. Offered some more encouragement on first start over hurdles at Hereford (better than distance he was beaten) and should show some further progress here.

Form: 31-26

Benechenko^p1⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 114

14/1

Showed some good form in bumpers (won on his debut) although a penalty made him vulnerable in that sphere. On his hurdles form so far he looks very much a stayer and got outpaced last time over 3m so this sharp 2m4f isn't sure to suit; cheekpieces on for the first time.

Form: 584-233

Whiskey In The Jar²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Fergus Gregory⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy

10/11

Won a bumper on his only start for Dan Skelton before being switched to hurdles for this yard. Beaten on his debut over hurdles when an odds-on favourite he managed to get off the mark last time in this sphere (made all; jumped well) and escapes a penalty for that win.

Form: 21-2P1

Strawberry Spirit^t1²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy

66/1

Had hinted at ability on both her bumper starts but looks to be being brought along gradually over hurdles. Finished 4th here last time over further and wears the tongue-tie for the first time but looks to face a stiff task.

Form: 57U4

Forecasts

Whiskey In The Jar (10/11), Dashing Perk (5/4), Benechenko (14/1), Aptly Put (25/1), Strawberry Spirit (66/1)

WHISKEY IN THE JAR won with real authority last time out at Uttoxeter by 32 lengths turning in a polished round of jumping and escapes a penalty here for that win and that certainly tips the scales in his favour. Dashing Perk reverts to novice company after disappointing a little in a tough handicap and he may well find himself more at home here. Benechenko looks to need further than this 2m4f that he runs over here based on his runs so far with Aptly Put a likely improver on his second hurdles start.