Rare Edition can set himself up for a trip to Cheltenham by winning the M1 Agency Sidney Banks Memorial Novices’ Hurdle at Huntingdon.
Charlie Longsdon's six-year-old has impressed in each of his three wins this season and last time out at Kempton looked a serious prospect.
And odds-on winner at both Worcester and Doncaster earlier in the campaign, the point-to-point recruit was expected to find things much tough over Christmas.
He was up against the Paul Nicholls-trained Rubaud, an easy winner twice previously, but he was no match for Rare Edition.
Longsdon's inmate powered away in the straight to win by seven lengths and while he faces some potentially nice types in Persian Time and Ginny's Destiny, it will be disappointing if he does not enhance his Cheltenham claims.
Dan Skelton's Too Friendly has bumped into two very useful sorts the last twice and may find life easier in the Winvic Construction Handicap Hurdle.
Second to Homme Public at Wetherby, he then found Punctuation too good at Cheltenham but there was no disgrace in either effort.
He has been raised 2lb which is not ideal but this race might not take as much winning.
Fergal O'Brien can do little wrong at present and in Hullnback he has a nice youngster on his hands.
He is out to gain more experience in the Virgin Bet Daily Boosts Novices' Hurdle at Doncaster and it is difficult to see him being beaten.
Second in a Grade Two bumper at the Grand National meeting, he was beaten on his hurdles debut by a decent type in Pikar but created a good impression at Haydock next time out.
The runner-up, Nemean Lion, went on to run well in the Tolworth Hurdle so that form looks strong.
Heroique De Maulde travelled like the winner last time out at Newcastle only to fade close home into third.
He has had a wind operation since and is given one more chance in the Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Chase.
The Sam Thomas-trained Shomen Uchi finished sixth in the same Aintree bumper as Hullnback.
He was also beaten on his hurdling debut at Hereford but it was a good event for that track.
Shomen Uchi stayed on all the way to the line and will be wiser in the Download The Vickers.Bet App Maiden Hurdle at Ffos Las.
It is no surprise at all to see Andrew Balding step Sparkling Spirit up to seven furlongs for the talkSPORT Download The App Novice Stakes at Newcastle.
She was sent off a 5-4 favourite last time out and was clearly expected to do the business but could only stay on into third behind two promising types.
She faces far from a penalty kick, with some nice individuals against her, but the nature of the track will be in her favour this time.
SELECTIONS:
DONCASTER: 1.05 Glory Bridge, 1.40 Montregard, 2.15 Future Benefits, 2.50 Imperial Storm, 3.25 Hullnback, 4.00 Heroique De Maulde, 4.33 Queens Rock.
FFOS LAS: 1.23 Shomen Uchi, 1.58 Auba Me Yang, 2.33 Icone D'Aubrelle, 3.08 Dentley De Mee, 3.43 Zero Tolerance, 4.18 Royale Dance, 4.53 Envoye Special.
HUNTINGDON: 1.15 Do You Think, 1.50 Bridge Road, 2.25 Bitasweetsymphony, 3.00 RARE EDITION (NAP), 3.35 The Wise Traveller, 4.10 Too Friendly, 4.45 Moon Lady.
NEWCASTLE: 4.40 Muzaffar, 5.10 Crocodile Power, 5.40 Great State, 6.10 Sparkling Spirit, 6.40 Papa Don't Preach, 7.10 Barney's Bay, 7.40 Abbey's Dream.
THURLES: 1.30 Saldier, 2.05 Bite That, 2.40 Bialystok, 3.15 Spanish Harlem, 3.50 Fantasio D'Alene, 4.25 Maggie Walsh, 5.00 Lazer Wolf.
DOUBLE: Rare Edition and Sparkling Spirit.
