MansionBet 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 4m 5.23s

Mon Port²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Fergus Gregory⁽⁵⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 120

7/2

Disappointing on handicap debut at Ludlow (2m5½f, good) and drops back down in trip into novice company; this track should suit his keen style of racing with any further drying of the ground conditions in his favour.

Form: 1-12235

Peppay Le Pugh^t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 127| D

5/4

Took a while to get his act together but has well and truly thrived over fences since joining the Skelton's; finally off the mark over hurdles (first attempt for this yard) when winning at Doncaster (2m, good) 19-days ago; key player.

Form: 332121

Bobndave²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

100/1

Placed (well held) in a good ground Hexham bumper in June 2018; finished in mid-division on hurdles debut at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in February, so requires plenty more improvement accordingly.

Form: 4367

First Assembly²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: R Bandey

66/1

Half-brother to winning staying chaser Achill Road Boy; hasn't appeared to be the speediest of types in a couple of runs in bumpers (Plumpton and Chepstow) and could feasibly find this sharp track to be an inadequate test on hurdles bow.

Form: P-7567

Just Call Me Al^t1²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: G Boanas

33/1

Demonstrated a modicum of ability on his second start in a Newcastle bumper, and has been brought along steadily over hurdles; finished 22L fourth to Mint Gold at Carlisle (2m1f, good) latest; tongue-tie applied; stablemate of Sultans Hero.

Form: 4-2974

Mr Scrumpy¹²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Joe Colliver| T: Jedd O'Keeffe

13/8

Hacked up when winning a modest Hexham bumper on his second start (2m, soft) in October 2018; not disgraced when beaten under a penalty at Carlisle the following month (third); rates as a likely type on first start over hurdles.

Form: 3-13

Sultans Hero^p1⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁷⁾| T: G Boanas

250/1

Brother to the 7f Flat/2m hurdle winner Great Colaci; struggling from mid-race, and a tailed-off seventh of eight at odds of 250/1 on hurdles debut at this track (2m4f+, good to soft) in February; cheekpieces added; stablemate of Just Call Me Al.

Form: 607

Forecasts

Peppay Le Pugh (5/4), Mr Scrumpy (13/8), Mon Port (7/2), Just Call Me Al (33/1), First Assembly (66/1), Bobndave (100/1), Sultans Hero (250/1)

The hurdling newcomer Mr Scrumpy appeals as a likely type for the established O'Keeffe/Colliver partnership, and he handled good ground when when making his debut at this track (bumper) in April 2018. However, the now consistent PEPPAY LE PUGH is plenty more experienced, so despite carrying a 7lb penalty for winning at the first time of asking over hurdles for Team Skelton at Doncaster recently, he should be able to make that experience count.