Be Wiser Insurance Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 5m 15.50s

De Rasher Counter³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 140

7/4

Appeared to get very harshly treated for winning a Fontwell handicap hurdle earlier in the year (race not worked out). Reverts back to novice company which will give him more chance even under a penalty; will handle the ground.

Form: 3521F7

Euxton Lane¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 128

2/1

Had already looked a promising type before trouncing his field in testing conditions last time out at Fontwell (won 17L). This further step up in trip looks sure to suit and even under a penalty he has further improvement to come.

Form: 35721

Molineaux²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 130| BF

5/2

Has plenty of experience and connections have had to be patient with him (beaten three times in handicaps) but finally came good reverting to a novice hurdle. Favourite in his last two outings; bumped into a useful sort last time out when second.

Form: 423212

Hunt Politics¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex

33/1

Point-to-point winner on his second and final attempt in that sphere before showing only modest ability in bumpers on the last occasion looking less than straightforward. Now makes his hurdles debut but will need to show far more than he has so far.

Form: P1-043

Oscars Leader²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: Miss J S Davis

16/1

Form in bumpers was only modest (4th both starts) but he is related to some useful jumpers and he offered more when sent hurdling. Finished 2nd at Huntingdon on his hurdles debut and this 2m4f will suit better than the 2m he ran over there; improver.

Form: 4442

Pandinus Imperator¹⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Tom Cannon| T: Martin Smith

100/1

Appeared to show a little more on his second run in bumpers but that form is only modest. Offered little in a Flat maiden (1m4f) when last seen and now makes his hurdles debut in what looks a decent contest.

Form: 48

Wallace Spirit^p1⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson

33/1

Attracted support and showed ability on debut in a bumper despite looking very green and in need of the experience. Pulled-up on his hurdles debut still looking as though he was learning and little better last time; more needed.

Form: 7P7

Forecasts

De Rasher Counter (7/4), Euxton Lane (2/1), Molineaux (5/2), Oscars Leader (16/1), Hunt Politics (33/1), Wallace Spirit (33/1), Pandinus Imperator (100/1)

The three penalised runners look to be the ones to focus on here with De Rasher Counter the one on official ratings who holds sway although that rating does look rather inflated and EUXTON LANE is preferred. He demolished his field last time out and looks to have more to come over this trip. Molineaux has been a rather slower learner but is now starting to show more and he looked rather unlucky to bump into a useful sort last time and has done so again here. If there is one outside of that trio that is of interest then it would be Oscars Leader who showed far more over hurdles last time than he did in bumpers and has the look of one who can improve a little more yet.