Sun Bets Northern Staying Novices' Hurdle Series Final Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 6m 10.22s

Bollin Ace^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽⁷⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 128

11/2

Seeks the hat-trick following a pair of 2m4f to 2m5f Sedgefield victories. The first of those races took little winning, but he downed Justforjames by 8L most latterly, and appears well suited to racing in cheek-pieces. Hit with a whopping 18lb rise, but most useful claimer (rode 2016 Eider Chase winner) reduces this by 7lb.

Form: 6311F2

Justforjames¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Finian O'Toole⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 127

10/1

In good form for Joe Wright at Sedgefield during December 2016 (winning twice) but no match for Bordeaux Bill and Kelka there in January, and seemingly below his best when well held by Bollin Ace last time. Difficult to see him reversing that form on these terms unless bouncing right back to his best.

Form: 3333-41

Dubai Angel⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 127

9/4

Fair sort in bumpers and had made a promising start over hurdles, including winning at Sedgefield on Boxing Day (2m), before seemingly finding this trip just beyond him when a 5L second to previous winner Catchamat here in late January. Distressed post race (needed sedation) and whilst this better ground will help, hopefully that experience hasn't left it's mark on an otherwise promising young horse.

Form: 22-212

Our Reward¹¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Page Fuller⁽⁷⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 121

11/2

Dual Sedgefield scorer (May and September 2016) who has been absent since November when finishing third to The Unit and Ballycrystal at Doncaster. Makes his handicap debut for a trainer/jockey combination who are both paying their first ever visits to Newcastle.

Form: 125342-

Sharp Response⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 117

9/4

Dual hurdles winner for this trainer, but the latest of those victories came at odds of 2/13 in a virtual walk over at Sedgefield last month (non runner the following day at Market Rasen), so it goes without saying that this is much stronger. Claimer booked to claw back a handy 5lb, and not totally ruled out.

Form: P3-5133

Crank Em Up^p1²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: James Davies| T: David Dennis| OR: 115

10/1

Found life more challenging in handicaps since winning a New Years Eve Uttoxeter maiden hurdle, but is at least 5lb lower now with the first time cheek-pieces also applied.

Form: 221-434

Forecasts

Dubai Angel (9/4), Sharp Response (9/4), Our Reward (11/2), Bollin Ace (11/2), Justforjames (10/1), Crank Em Up (10/1)

A compact little race in which none of the six runners can be totally excluded from calculations. Bollin Ace should again get the better of Justforjames, whilst Dubai Angel would have been the pick but for an unsettling post race experience here in January. Therefore, a chance is taken that OUR REWARD can step up slightly on what he's shown so far, and if ready to go for Jamie Snowden following the break (first ever Newcastle runner) can provide the talented Page Fuller with her first ever Newcastle winner.