David 'Digger' Aldred Memorial 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 17:31 | Winning time: 3m 57.6s

Golden Taipan^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| CD

5/1

Improved on bumper form and impressed with slick jumping as he made a winning start over hurdles over C&D latest, beating Buck's Bin's by 2L. That rival 6lb better off now due to penalty but anything bar a bold show would surprise.

Form: P3404-1

Longhouse Sale^t¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| D

1/2

Winner of a point-to-point, all four bumpers and most recently his hurdles debut taking record to 6-6. Won on the bit at Ludlow latest so he ought to take the 6lb penalty in his stride and remain unbeaten.

Form: 11111-1

Buck's Bin's^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 122

3/1

Irish point-to-point winner has finished second in both hurdle races to date, a 14-runner Ludlow contest and latest over C&D when outkicked by Golden Taipan. 6lb better off with that rival now so reversal entirely possible.

Form: 2132-2

Easy Wood¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: C Gethings| T: T R George

80/1

Well held in bumpers at Exeter and Market Rasen so would be a great surprise if he makes the frame on hurdles bow. Stable has much better chance with Buck's Bin's.

Form: 0-6

En Coeur^h²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J McGrath| T: J W Mullins

100/1

Yet to really threaten in three bumpers at Wincanton (twice) and Plumpton. May be a better long-term prospect but hard to fancy here and free-going nature not ideal either in a small field.

Form: 06-5

Secret Beri^h³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: W T Kennedy| T: B R Summers

200/1

Tailed off in bumpers at Stratford (10th of 13) and here (last of eight). Impossible to fancy here.

Form: 08-

Forecasts

Longhouse Sale (1/2), Buck's Bin's (3/1), Golden Taipan (5/1), Easy Wood (80/1), En Coeur (100/1), Secret Beri (200/1)

LONGHOUSE SALE is starting to look a really smart prospect and one couldn't fail to be impressed by his hurdles debut at Ludlow last time where he won in little more than a canter, he can remain unbeaten here despite a 6lb penalty. Buck's Bin's can turn the tables on C&D conqueror Golden Taipan to be best of the rest with a 6lb receipt this time enough to swing things his way.