13:50 Newbury
Wednesday 18 January 2017
All13:1513:5014:2014:5515:2515:55
Betfred 'Goals Galore' Novices' Hurdle
- 5YO plus  |  Class 4  |  2m 69y  |  Soft (Heavy in places)  |  12 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 13:50Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 5.30s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Pulled hard in rear, and no chance from three out when finishing last of seven on hurdles debut over C&D last month. Entitled to improve, but extended absence (18 months plus) since his final start for Sir Michael Stoute in April 2015 and his hurdles debut for this yard a concern.
A dual winner on the Flat for Tom Tate, and more latterly for Andrew Balding (off a mark of 87 at Epsom in April 2013). With powerful connections, but not seen since July 2013 with huge absence to overcome on hurdles debut.
Four starts in Ireland without success, but does have placed PTP and NHF form to his name. Moved on from Paul Nolan, and makes hurdles debut here for new trainer.
A distant third in a summer NHF contest at Market Rasen in July, and tailed off on both hurdles starts at Ffos Las last month. May do better in time in handicaps, but likely to struggle again today.
Showed ability in both NHF starts over this C&D in November, including when fifth to Jenkins. Faced a difficult task on hurdles debut at Wincanton in mid December, but kept on after being headed at the last, and an obvious contender back at this track assuming the ground conditions aren't too testing.
No stranger to testing ground having raced in France, and at Ffos Las on UK debut (finished third). Whilst that form wasn't fully franked at Kelso on Sunday by Red Indian, this gelding could be suited by dropping back in trip after perhaps finding 2m3f too far since at Chepstow last month.
Shown little in three starts so far, including when racing over much further the last twice over hurdles at Stratford and Hereford. Unlikely winner.
Showed promise in both starts in France. A Flat runner up at Senonnes-Pouance in July, and was finishing well on hurdles debut at Argentan in October (behind a Macaire trained winner). Joined Gary Moore for €40,000 from the Arqana November Sale and interesting on UK debut.
Ex Irish PTP horse who joined Dan Skelton for £30,000 in April 2016. Seven lengths second to a Paul Nicholls trained rival on hurdles debut at Chepstow in November was encouraging, and perhaps found out by the trip after travelling well here last time until weakening from three out (finished seventh of 15). More testing conditions here than on both hurdles starts to date.
A maiden in 18 starts on the Flat and not the ideal start on hurdles debut at Plumpton in November (hampered). Placed on second hurdles start at Leicester, but regressed next time and this ground is the most testing surface he'll have encountered.
Southwell Fibresand winner for Tom Dascombe on the Flat, but largely moderate overall, and not with Graeme McPherson for long after showing nothing on hurdles debut at Newton Abbot in June 2015. Lengthy absence to overcome for a new yard.
Four time Flat winner from 31 starts including for this yard at Haydock in September (off a mark of 65). Entitled to improve upon recent seventh placing on hurdles debut at Bangor, but in truth will need to in order to play a prominent role here.
Forecasts
Joueur Bresilien (9/4), Hidden Cargo (9/4), Beyond Conceit (3/1), Shantou Rock (7/1), Royal Hall (20/1), Zenafire (25/1), Sunday Royal (33/1), Altaayil (50/1), Celma Des Bois (100/1), Gask Ridge (150/1), Orchestrated (250/1), Ujagar (250/1)
More competitive in terms of numbers than the opener, but not too many likely winners lurking. Beyond Conceit might be a horse to watch on a much delayed return to the racecourse, and it would be fascinating to know the reason for his three and a half year absence from the track. Royal Hall looks an interesting newcomer to UK shores for Gary Moore, and Joueur Bresilien might well be suited by dropping back to this trip, but the safest option is HIDDEN CARGO who ought to go close based upon what he's shown in each of his three starts so far, including when runner up last time on hurdles debut at Wincanton.
1. Hidden Cargo
2. Royal Hall
3. Shantou Rock
Prize Money
1st: £4,549.002nd: £1,336.003rd: £668.004th: £334.00
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