Wee Maggie Dixte 50th Birthday 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:12 | Winning time: 3m 42.10s

General Custard^t1¹⁹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: O MurphyWS

4/1

Bits and pieces of promise in a couple of bumpers, but no more than that, and was pulled up on hurdles debut at Warwick back in March. This is easier but all the same, needs to show more on seasonal debut.

Form: 42P-

Lissycasey¹³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: M Hamill⁽³⁾| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 117

1/1

Sets the standard for these to aim at, that being a second to the useful Burst Ya Bubble here in April. Bit disappointing final start, but has had a break, and drop back in trip won't pose a problem. Drop of rain would help but leading chances.

Form: 745P2-3

Muilean Na Madog³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: T J Phelan| T: D G Bridgwater

33/1

Not shown a lot so far but wasn't totally done with at Worcester when coming down last time, although race had to start in earnest and he had pulled hard. May do better again here if settling but others make more appeal.

Form: 45PP/B

Nomination Game²²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: C Poste| T: R DickinWS

16/1

First start for new yard (having left Ian Williams), pilled up in a point-to-point but did show a modicum of ability on only start under hurdles, albeit well beaten at the finish. Hood on there is missing here, and after an absence, is best watched.

Form: P6-

Topofthecotswolds^h1²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

9/4

Twice a beaten favourite in bumpers already. ran okay on hurdles debut at Stratford earlier in the month (wore ear plugs pre-race) but yard hitting stride, as they tend to do around this time of year, so no surprise if there's improvement today.

Form: 325-2

Wild Eve¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: J E Moore| T: M G Rimell

50/1

Best effort of four came in a moderate Southwell bumper in July but since then two other runs have left a lot to be desired, including hurdles debut last time out. Needs a lot more here.

Form: 6207

Forecasts

Lissycasey (1/1), Topofthecotswolds (9/4), General Custard (4/1), Nomination Game (16/1), Muilean Na Madog (33/1), Wild Eve (50/1)

Lissycasey has the form in the bank and has to be given plenty of respect in what looks a winnable contest, but the Twiston-Davies yard are strating to go through the gears, as they seem to do every autumn, and maybe TOPOFTHECOTSWOLDS in a first-time hood might be the answer. She clearly has her quirks but the fact she's gone off favourite twice already suggests she has plenty of ability and maybe she can get her head in front here. Mullean Na Madog and General Custard can battle it out for third.