Edinburgh Gin 2018 Leading Horsemen Awards Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 6m 0.5s

Dinons²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: R Johnson| T: G Elliott

1/7

Well placed to win three minor novice and maiden hurdles this season, making light of a simple task last time. Upped in trip here and carries penalties, so has a bit more to do but yard always to be respected here.

Form: 23F111

Blaydon¹⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

66/1

Brother Templebahoe won a 3m point-to-point in heavy ground, which gives some indication that this one may need more time after showing only minor promise in two starts.

Form: 37-

One Night In Milan¹⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Finian O'Toole⁽³⁾| T: K Dalgleish

33/1

Purchased for £15,000 in the spring, first start for new yard today after three starts for Paul Nicholls. Limited promise shown so far and may be one for handicaps a bit further down the line.

Form: 835-

Valadom^t⁴⁸⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Broughton⁽¹⁰⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 116| D

4/1

Classy chaser at his best and likes to try his hand in Cheltenham's X-Country events too. Not so good over hurdles but gets almost a stone from Dinons and if fit after an absence, poses a serious threat to all.

Form: 240/4U4-

Bishopswood Flyer

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

12/1

Half-brother to point-to-point winner West Class, purchased for €32,000 at sales last year and has been given time. Makes limited appeal on pedigree but yard used to mop these Perth novice events up for fun and must be respected.

Form:

Forecasts

Dinons (1/7), Valadom (4/1), Bishopswood Flyer (12/1), One Night In Milan (33/1), Blaydon (66/1)

Dinons is rattling up the wins but the penalties he gets for those wins makes life a lot harder for him here. Bishopswood Flyer represents the yard that have won this for the last two years, and any market move needs heeding, but a chance is taken that VALADOM is ready to go after a break as he stays this trip well, and the weight he receives from Dinons gives him every chance of causing a small upset.