14:00 Newcastle
Saturday 18 March 2017
All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30
Sun Bets Download The App Novices' Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  2m 98y  |  Heavy (Soft in places)  |  8 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:01Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 21.00s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Useful novice who is two from three over hurdles, but carries a double penalty for that pair of decisive Kelso victories over the past month. Had previously demonstrated similar ability in bumpers (winning at Carlisle in March 2016), and has been found another good opportunity today.
Well backed when getting off the mark at the fourth attempt over hurdles; C&D last month (heavy), showing grit and determination to rally from the last and down a Dan Skelton trained rival. Looks sure to go well under the penalty for locally based owner Joe Buzzeo.
Unraced. Second foal by Croco Rogue out of She Likes To Boogy, and a half-brother to bumper and hurdles placed North Country Boy. Looks in deep on his belated racecourse debut.
Hurdling debutant who has failed to finish in front of a single rival in two starts in bumpers (Kelso; May 2016 and Ayr; Jan 2017), and therefore makes little appeal.
Placed in both starts in bumpers back in 2013 (well beaten), and also on hurdles debut at Kelso in February 2014 (2m3f) when going under by 5L to a John Ferguson trained hot-pot. Returns from a three plus year absence, down in trip, but connections did have a winner at Hexham on Thursday.
His three starts over hurdles to date have yielded very little optimism for the future, and this is a sharp drop in trip from the 2m5f that he tackled last time at Ayr (pulled up). Likely to be seen to better effect once going handicapping.
Cost €16,000 as a three-year-old. Unraced third foal by Court Cave from a Flemensfirth mare (Kilmessan). Pedigree suggests that a test of stamina should suit in time, but both owner and trainer tend to do well in these type of races, albeit Reivers Lad appears to be the trainers first string today.
Fell at the fourth on his hurdles debut at this track earlier this month (race was weaker than this one). However, looks the type to do better with time, and despite wearing the first time hood on this occasion, he needs to produce a clear career best to be placed today.
Non-Runners
4
Dance Of Fire74
Weight: 11-0|Â Â Age: 5
T: N W Alexander  J: Jamie Hamilton
NR
10
Henpecked14
Weight: 10-7|Â Â Age: 7
T: A C Whillans  J: Tony Kelly
NR
Forecasts
Reivers Lad (4/9), Applaus (5/2), Ollie G (7/1), Tetraites Style (16/1), Witness Time (20/1), Crocodile Dancer (20/1), Short Flight (25/1), Dance Of Fire (33/1), Henpecked (33/1), Here Comes Hovis (100/1)
Competitive in terms of numbers, but not so in terms of those with winning chances, and it will almost certainly pay to concentrate on the penalised pair REIVERS LAD and Applaus. The former carries a double penalty for those recent Kelso victories, but is rated 8lb superior to the Micky Hammond trained C&D winner on official ratings, so that's not too much of a concern. He looks a horse with a bright future for Nicky Richards, and despite encountering less testing conditions in this race, he's a confident selection to notch a three timer.
- Reivers Lad
- Applaus
- Ollie G
Prize Money
1st: £3,249.002nd: £954.003rd: £477.004th: £238.00
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