14:10 Newcastle
Saturday 25 February 2017
All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05
Betfred '1 Million Cashball' Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 2  |  2m 98y  |  Heavy (Soft in places)  |  6 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:12Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 17.70s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Pushed clear by this rider to record a 9L success from Sleepy Haven (Nuts Well third) at Kelso last month (2m heavy). Raised 9lb for that success, with the runner up renewing battle on 10lb better terms, and the third on 11lb better terms. Obviously life will be tougher here, but certainly better suited to hurdling than fencing.
Dual C&D winner, and unbeaten at this his local track, but has work to do to reverse placings with Teo Vivo on their clash at Kelso last month despite 11lb better terms. Handles testing ground, but from a mark of 131, probably remains just too high in the handicap for now.
Probably outclassed last time at Huntingdon when finishing ninth of ten to Kalondra, but a shade disappointing nevertheless on the back of a couple of reasonable efforts. Like Nuts Well has it all to do to reverse placings with Teo Vivo on their Kelso clash last month, and is arguably on the whole less consistent than that pair of rivals.
Returns from a summer break for his seasonal and handicap debut off a mark of 127. Recorded a second bumper success (at Plumpton in November 2015) after being bought for £72,000, and made it second time lucky over hurdles at Chepstow in a highly winnable novice contest in March 2016 (4/5f). Over-raced stepped up in trip on his final start as a novice, this return to 2m in deep ground looks likely to suit.
Unbeaten in bumpers, and looked to be headed for the top when a wide margin winner on hurdles debut at Carlisle in December 2013. Progress slowed by injury and doesn't look the same horse nowadays but likely to be much better for the race (return from a lengthy absence) when finishing fifth to Teo Vivo last time at Kelso.
Three time hurdles winner who is now 3lb higher than when winning by 1L from the frustrating Beeno at Catterick last week, but this race is two grades higher than that Class 4 contest. Appears to handle deep ground without any real issues.
Forecasts
Vinciaettis (15/8), Teo Vivo (4/1), Raise A Spark (9/2), Nuts Well (5/1), Sleepy Haven (8/1), Meadowcroft Boy (8/1)
Vinciaettis could be on a fair mark for his handicap debut, with Southern based form often appearing much stronger than that from the North. However, he will need to be fully tuned up on his return from a break, and have learned to settle better than when stepped up in trip on his final start in novice company to be able to see off the battle hardy TEO VIVO. The handicapper has had a go at the Pauline Robson trained ten-year-old since Kelso, but he can again be fancied to defeat both Sleepy Haven and Nuts Well despite a 9lb rise and the burden of top weight in likely desperate holding conditions.
1. Teo Vivo
2. Nuts Well
3. Vinciaettis
Prize Money
1st: £9,495.002nd: £2,805.003rd: £1,402.004th: £702.005th: £351.00
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