15:50 Newcastle
Wednesday 15 February 2017
All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:50
Collingwood Insurance Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 5  |  2m 98y  |  Heavy (Soft in places)  |  9 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 15:51Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 18.4s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Beaten off a mark of 86 when last seen over hurdles in April 2015. Has won three chases at up to 2m4f since then, including at Kelso in December from 2lb higher than today. Out of sorts on two starts since then and difficult to predict how this veteran will fare now back over the smaller obstacles.
Won a point-to-point on soft/heavy and has finished runner-up in both a bumper (Bangor, heavy) and a handicap hurdle (Ayr, 2m, heavy) for current yard, the latter being last time out. Remains on same mark today, though before beating a path to the bookies it should be noted that the form of that race has not worked out well at all.
Stable's runners have been in very good form just lately and while this gelding looks set to do better over further, the forecast testing conditions can bring his stamina into play and he could go very well off a handy looking mark in his first handicap.
Up 7lb for winning over 2m (soft) at Wincanton on Boxing Day. Race has worked out reasonably well, with both the third and fourth making the frame since, so looks likely to be a leading contender once again if acting as well on the forecast deeper ground.
First-time tongue strap helped to produce a better effort at Ayr (2m, heavy) last time when sent off at 50/1, but running well for a long way. Now tackles a handicap for the first time from a very workable mark and very interesting if the market speaks in his favour. Yard's only recent runner made the frame.
Dropped 4lb since latest start, meaning that she is now 3lb higher than her only win, at Sedgefield in October 2015. Unproven on the forecast heavy ground and others more likely to get competitive.
Back on the same mark as when winning a Sedgefield handicap chase this time last year and usually competitive at this level over both fences and hurdles. Has never won on going worse than soft, so while he may be involved the percentage call is probably to take him on for win purposes.
Latest success was from 4lb higher, but that was way back in 2013. Reported to have finished lame on most recent outing at Wetherby almost a year ago and clearly fragile. 14lb drop since then could be interesting, though would have to see him prove his well being before wading in.
Not won for a couple of years and now 7lb below most recent success. Would be of interest if able to reproduce his running over C&D from March last year, though not seen nearly enough since to get involved.
Forecasts
Chakisto (11/4), Toola Boola (7/2), The Pierre Lark (7/2), On A Promise (8/1), Captain Sharpe (9/1), Parkie Boy (16/1), Rosquero (18/1), King's Chorister (20/1), Mootabar (40/1)
Chakisto looks likely to be a leading player, given that the form of his Boxing Day win has a solid look to it, which is more than can be said of the in-form Donald McCain's representative The Pierre Lark's Ayr victory. Parkie Boy looks very interesting after a much better effort last time and can go well at a price, though preference is for ON A PROMISE. Nicky Richards has his string in good shape and it is likely that this gelding will prove to be a fair bit better than this initial handicap mark of just 98.
1. On A Promise
2. Chakisto
3. Parkie Boy
Prize Money
1st: ÂŁ2,599.002nd: ÂŁ763.003rd: ÂŁ382.004th: ÂŁ191.00
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