17:45 Newcastle
Saturday 8 April 2017
All14:0514:4015:2015:5516:3017:0017:45
Perfect Partnerships Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 5  |  2m 4f 133y  |  Good (Good to Soft in places, Watered)  |  12 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 17:48Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 5m 2.8s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
14 race maiden, but seems to be getting to grips with racing, and has been placed on four of his last five starts, but unfortunately for connections is steadily climbing in the weights. This trip is 1F further than his previous three runs at Wetherby, but this ground is ideal and he should go well.
Eight time career winner who goes particularly well at both Musselburgh and Hexham. Took full advantage of a favourable hurdles mark (rated higher over fences) when making all and hanging on gamely at Musselburgh last month (2m). Up in trip (and up 4lb) but does stay, so looks sure to make a bold bid to follow up.
Finished 11L behind (fourth) recent Sedgefield winner Pikarnia (third) over 2m1f at Carlisle when last visiting the racecourse in December, and did go well in both starts in bumpers at this track for Lucinda Russell and Michael Smith. One to watch in the market now making his handicap debut.
Irish raider who narrowly landed a 2m soft ground Boxing Day Down Royal handicap hurdle, and has raced competitively enough in three starts since. Slight worry as to his effectiveness over this trip, but should handle the ground if his 2014 bumper debut at Perth (for Stuart Crawford) is an accurate guide.
Course winner in December 2016 (2m soft) from this mark of 98. Has struggled from higher marks since, but showed slightly more last time when upped to 3m at Musselburgh, giving some hope that this intermediate trip could suit. Lacks size, so might find a couple too good.
Had looked as if handicapping would suit, but probably found the trip of 3m too far on his handicap debut at Musselburgh last month (Oishin third), and is quickly dropped back 4F in trip. Races from a 3lb lower mark (95) and should do better in time.
Irish Point-to-Point winner, but lightly raced under rules, yet has still shown a modicum of ability since going handicapping, most notably when 18L third to Bescot Springs at Kelso in January (3m1f). Dropped in trip, and a few pounds in the weights, with place prospects perhaps most realistic.
Maiden in 29 races under rules, but running fairly consistently from this sort of mark (placed) in March, April and May last year, including at this track. Less promising this winter, and absent since early January with others preferred.
Not won since July 2015 (on the Flat over 1m2f for Mick Channon), and remains a 15 race hurdles maiden. Returned from a spell over fences at Ayr last month, and was in contention (probably held) when departing at the second last in a race won by The Bishop. Dropped marginally in trip on ground which could suit.
Stablemate of Vodka Red and a course winner over 2m in December 2014. Has raced six times in 2017 without finishing better than third, with connections switching him back to hurdles from a free falling mark seeking a revival.
His sole career success came at Sedgefield in January 2014 (2m1f) for Sue Smith, but he has been pulled up in four of his last five starts, so is impossible to fancy despite the paucity of opposition in this contest.
Pulled up on his last four starts, including at Wetherby (Captain Mowbray second) last month. Only beaten two rivals home in the three races in which he has finished, and needs the first time visor to have a miraculous impact to be involved.
Non-Runners
8
Vodka Red21
Weight: 10-11|Â Â Age: 9
T: Kenny Johnson  J: Callum Bewley
NR
Forecasts
Captain Mowbray (3/1), Starplex (4/1), Oishin (5/1), Civil Unrest (15/2), Kings Eclipse (9/1), Toarmandowithlove (10/1), Backinthesaddle (10/1), Vodka Red (10/1), Arantes (20/1), Captain Sharpe (28/1), Classical Sound (28/1), Next Hight (80/1), Rebel Roger (100/1)
Strong in terms of numerical turnout, but this race doesn't have an awful lot else going for it. However, there has to be a winner, and Civil Unrest is far better treated over hurdles than over fences as he demonstrated when hanging on grimly at Musselburgh last month. He has an extra four furlongs to cover at this stiffer track, so is opposed with the top-weighted CAPTAIN MOWBRAY who has been running consistently well over slightly shorter trips at Wetherby of late, and appears more reliable than most (hence his rising mark) in a really low key conclusion to the jumps season at Newcastle.
- Captain Mowbray
- Civil Unrest
- Kings Eclipse
Prize Money
1st: £2,274.002nd: £668.003rd: £334.004th: £167.00
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