Steve Sanders Newton Spurs Legend Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 7m 6.20s

Welsh Bard^b¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 110| D

9/4

Made all and had the race in the bag when left clear at Sedgefield (3m3f, good) and a 5lb rise seems generous seeing as he had recent winners to beat. Yard are 14-29 with their hurdlers since August. Acts on any going and drops in class.

Form: 1/35531

Chantecler^t³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Reed⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 106

9/4

1-28 career record and yet to open his account over hurdles. Continues to climb in the weights without winning but could find some improvement if settling better. That could remain a problem in this small field and he also needs the ground to dry.

Form: 0-93422

Gamain^b²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Chester Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 105

2/1

Would have needed latest run following nine months on the sidelines and when conditions will have been too quick. Will get round in his own time and needs others to falter.

Form: F2/456-6

Kalmbeforethestorm⁵²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 103| C

5/1

Sole win came here over 2m5f. Missed the whole of last season but in here off a mark 14lb below his peak rating. Has gone well over C&D but likely to need this.

Form: 1P3685/

Forecasts

Gamain (2/1), Chantecler (9/4), Welsh Bard (9/4), Kalmbeforethestorm (5/1)

WELSH BARD enjoyed himself on his switch back to hurdling and a 5lb rise for beating two recent winners at Sedgefield in higher grade is unlikely to stop him. Chanticler has risen further up the weights without winning and he is up in grade for this. His tendency to pull hard is a worry in this small field and he also wants quicker ground than forecast. Gamain and Kalmbeforethestorm need plenty of luck in running to be involved.