HORSE POWER Nom better than this for Leicester novices' hurdle

A PAI De Nom should be able to defy a penalty in the Kube - Leicester’s Premier Events Venue Novices’ Hurdle at Leicester.

- By NICK ROBSON

Tristan Durrell riding A Pai De Nom

Dan Skelton is dropping his five-year-old back into novice company having won a handicap at Cheltenham on his previous outing.

He is rated 124 after that, but all his racing so far this season has been over two miles and five furlongs.

He tries the minimum trip here on a sharp track, but the way he travelled at Cheltenham it should not be an issue.

Last off the bridle, he looked like winning comfortably before a scruffy jump at the last meant it was harder work than it should have been but that form is the strongest on offer.

Shotgun Rider is quite a rare runner over jumps for Classic-winning owner Phil Cunningham in the Annual Badge @leicesterraces Ideal Christmas Present “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle.