Newcastle Flooring Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:37 | Winning time: 6m 44.90s

Sun Cloud^p³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 127| C| D

7/2

Goes well here and has also in form on all three runs since reverting to the smaller obstacles, winning over a similar trip at Perth and also back there last time over 3m. Still on a competitive mark on his chase form and looks a leading player.

Form: 32P1-41

Beneficial Joe^h²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 124

3/1

Sees out this sort of trip and goes well on a sound surface. Latest win came at Uttoxeter last month when he got up in the shadow of the post. Up 4lb for that to a career-high mark but has claims again.

Form: FF3571

West Of The Edge²³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁷⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 118

7/2

His last three wins have all been over fences and he stays 3m5f in that discipline. Now 11lb higher over hurdles than when last seen at Ayr in December (1L second over 3m½f) but has improved since. Not ruled out, though slower ground ideal.

Form: 4/11271-

Askamore Darsi^b²⁰¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 118| CD

4/1

Scored over C&D (soft) in March from 8lb lower, though was held from this mark at Carlisle next time. Acts on good ground, although predominance of winning form is with cut underfoot. Competitive, though needs a bit of improvement.

Form: 5PP513-

Bourne⁵⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 110

8/1

Acts on most ground, though forecast conditions are probably his optimum. Not the force he once was, but won three last year. However, handicapper might just have him from this mark.

Form: 4252-55

Moorlands Mist¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽⁵⁾| T: Sara Ender| OR: 108

14/1

Both his wins were with cut in the ground at Chepstow in 2013. Bidding to end a 23-race losing run since then and has proved himself capable of making the frame from this sort of mark, though far from confident of a third success.

Form: 4-343U3

Sweet Shirleen⁸¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: L Treadwell| T: H J Evans| OR: 107

25/1

14-race maiden whose best efforts in Ireland were this time last year at up to 2m3½f. Badly in need of a return to form and now races for the first time for this stable, with a watching brief probably prudent from this mark.

Form: 6-47508

Forecasts

Beneficial Joe (3/1), Sun Cloud (7/2), West Of The Edge (7/2), Askamore Darsi (4/1), Bourne (8/1), Moorlands Mist (14/1), Sweet Shirleen (25/1)

Beneficial Joe found the necessary to win last time and although he is likely to need a career best performance to follow up, that cannot be ruled out. However, preference is for SUN CLOUD, who is in cracking form back over hurdles and if his chase form is anything to go by he should have a big say again from this mark. West Of The Edge stays really well and has perhaps not yet stopped improving, despite his age, though the forecast ground looks plenty quick enough for him. Askamore Darsi likes it here and here and under his claimer he cannot be ruled out.