14:10 Newcastle
Saturday 7 January 2017
All11:5512:3013:0013:3514:1014:4515:20
S T P Construction Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  2m 98y  |  Soft  |  9 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:11Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 13.94s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Not raced over hurdles since December 2015, but was a dual Hexham scorer in testing conditions as a three year old. Kept busy on the Flat, both turf and AW latterly, with most recent start coming at Southwell last month.
Five time winner in fifty career starts (twice over hurdles), and with a variety of yards including Tim Easterby and Ali Stronge. A head second on stable debut (for this rider) at Uttoxeter last month and raised 5lbs since.
Formerly with Lucinda Russell and off for the best part of a year since finishing fifth of six at Haydock (now dropped 5lbs). A runner up twice before here over hurdles and fences, so no surprise to see him return to this track despite now running for connections based much further South.
Run well on the main on the Flat last year, including when second on the AW here in September. Returns to hurdles off 114, never having raced off below 120 in this sphere. Clear chance on these terms.
Ex Irish, and winner on stable debut at Carlisle in March 2015, but not built upon that in three subsequent starts and absent for 11 months.
Just two starts, both over further, on return to the track since scoring off this mark at this trip and on this ground at Carlisle in October 2014. Needs to build further on those runs to figure but capable performer if over whatever caused his extended racecourse absence.
Not won since May 2015 (when with Nicky Henderson), and has mixed hurdling with chasing, falling a long way in the weights. Unconvincing in the main, and needs to show more than at both Sedgefield and Haydock last month.
A mare who showed plenty of ability in bumpers, winning two of her four starts. Shown less over hurdles since winning on debut at Worcester in October 2014, with her run at Wetherby on Boxing Day her return from a 20 month absence. One to watch in the market.
Front runner who is well suited by the minimum trip and testing conditions. Beginning to be given some grace by the handicapper and far from out of contention off a 2lb lower mark than when third at Wetherby in November.
Forecasts
Island Confusion (1/1), Circus Star (5/1), Lough Kent (7/1), Deepsand (7/1), Lexi's Boy (10/1), Lady Buttons (20/1), Captain Clayton (25/1), Deep Resolve (33/1), Age Of Glory (50/1)
An interesting and compact handicap hurdle in which many of the runners have claims. Both Captain Clayton and Lady Buttons are capable performers on their day and could possibly step up markedly on recent efforts. Deep Resolve is a tough character, but will need to dig deep from this mark against some attractively handicapped rivals which include Island Confusion and Circus Star. However, at his very best, LEXI'S BOY has outstanding claims here off a mark of 114, having notched a quickfire hurdles hat-trick back in 2012 at Ascot, Ayr and Sandown off marks of 120, 130 and 132. His Flat form during 2016 suggests he retains a fair level of ability at the age of nine.
1. Lexi's Boy
2. Circus Star
3. Island Confusion
Prize Money
1st: £3,574.002nd: £1,049.003rd: £525.004th: £262.00
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