32Red Casino Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:50 | Winning time: 3m 50.95s

Didtheyleaveuoutto³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Gifford| OR: 139| D

4/1

Classy performer with a sharp turn of foot; unbeaten over hurdles so far (2-2), accounting for today's rival Thomas Darby (by a head) over this trip at Ascot (good) last month; 3lb worse off today yet remains a key player.

Form: 110-11

The Big Bite²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: N D Fehily| T: T R George| OR: 145| D

11/4

His sole defeat came in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March (finished 11th of 23 to Relegate) but he's appeared to be silky smooth over hurdles (2-2); versatile in terms of ground conditions; fair chance despite facing sterner opposition.

Form: 1/10-11

Rouge Vif^h²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 140| D

8/1

Improving with racing and ran out an all the way 10L winner of a 2m Southwell maiden hurdle 22 days ago; that form has been boosted by the runner-up Oakley (a subsequent Ludlow scorer); application of the hood has already proved beneficial.

Form: 1-521

Thomas Darby³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 138| BF| D

5/2

Narrowly beaten by today's rival Didtheyleaveuoutto at Ascot (2m, good) and enjoys a 3lb pull at the weights; slightly less experienced than the Nick Gifford-trained runner, albeit with every bit as promising of a long-term future.

Form: 112

Fly To Mars²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard

20/1

Inexperienced 4yo who hails from a dam who was a sister to the talented staying chaser Ollie Magern; posted a reasonable hurdles debut (40/1) when finishing runner-up at Plumpton (2m4f+ maiden, soft); in deep enough over 2m against these rivals.

Form: 62

Mister Fisher⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| BF| CD

7/2

Impressive winner of a bumper at this track (2m, soft) on debut in March and was only reeled in on the shadow of the post (beaten a short-head by Ecu De La Noviere) on hurdles debut at Newbury (2m, good to soft); tougher assignment.

Form: 10-2

Forecasts

Thomas Darby (5/2), The Big Bite (11/4), Mister Fisher (7/2), Didtheyleaveuoutto (4/1), Rouge Vif (8/1), Fly To Mars (20/1)

Short on numbers yet strong on quality, so much so the winner will no doubt stake his claim for the principal spring festivals at Cheltenham and Aintree. The Big Bite has created a striking impression in winning over hurdles at Chepstow and Haydock but he steps up in class here tackling the Ascot 1-2 DIDTHEYLEAVEUOUTTO and Thomas Darby. Some will suspect that the latter named can reverse those Ascot placings on 3lb better terms, however, assuming the ground doesn't deteriorate further the Nick Gifford-trained runner gets the nod. His sharp turn of foot is a potent weapon around a sharp track (like Kempton) but crucially he has also demonstrated a game willing attitude.