12:30 Newcastle

Friday 17 November 2017

All12:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:25

Barclays Premier Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:33 | Winning time: 3m 55.30s

Hello Fellas²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: N G Richards

5/2

Not quite fulfilled the promise of his opening bumper effort (beaten a neck by Donna's Delight), but his second hurdles start (fifth) at Carlisle last month was respectable (2m1f soft), with fourth placed Cesar Collonges winning on Monday.

Form: 286-5

In Focus^h¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer

40/1

A five time winner on the Flat (7f to 1m), but not since September 2015, and with a modest rating of just 55 in that sphere. Tackles hurdles for the first time today.

Form:

Inniscastle Lad²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr

5/2

Reasonable performer on the Flat (rated 79), but not in the same parish as the classy Ravenhill Road at Sedgefield last month on his second start over hurdles (beaten 23L).

Form: 52

Jassas^h1⁵²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: J Ewart| D

7/2

Former French racer who was a Flat winner in April 2016 (2m good, Saumur), and showed some ability in soft ground hurdles thereafter. Makes his UK and stable debut off a 17 month break wearing a hood.

Form: 7/42-

Joke Dancer²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

12/1

Likes to race up with the pace, but hasn't seen either of his races out so far, including on hurdles debut at Sedgefield last month when 57L sixth of 12 to Ravenhill Road.

Form: 6-6

No Boundaries¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Amie Waugh⁽⁷⁾| T: S Waugh

200/1

Rear division finishes in both starts over hurdles so far (at massive odds), and nowhere near strong enough to compete in this contest based upon that evidence.

Form: 6-067

Pc Dixon⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Alex Chadwick⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson

250/1

Very modest on the Flat (10 race maiden for Mick Channon). Picked up for £5,500 in June, and tailed off on hurdles/stable debut at Musselburgh last week.

Form: 0

Permission Granted⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr D Delahunt⁽⁷⁾| T: R Dobbin

200/1

From a stable that has made a good start to the main jumps season but he looks as though he will be a handicap project. Well beaten at Musselburgh (second hurdles start) last week and very much one for the longer term.

Form: 9-89

Pumaflor⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Dowson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby

22/1

Four time Flat winner (6f to 1m) who has been with Richard Whitaker in the past. Made a satisfactory hurdles debut at Huntingdon in mid October (2m good), but unable to back that up at Musselburgh last week.

Form: P/30

Red Ochre¹⁹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: C Grant

100/1

Shown modest form in bumpers, and on the Flat for previous trainer John Quinn. Moved stables, and whilst it's still early days (hurdles debut), that's perhaps not overly encouraging.

Form: 57-

Star Of Milan²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

250/1

Milan gelding who is closely related to the stables 2m5f/3m chase winner Lady Of Verona, so perhaps to be expected that he found this trip on the sharp side on debut at Kelso (tailed off). A similar scenario likely.

Form: 0

Stoneboat Bill¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R T Dunne| T: D Carroll

8/1

A two time winner on the Flat (1m to 1m2f), and a runner up on the level at Haydock in late September. Has made little impression over hurdles in three starts since, and looks difficult to consider as a result.

Form: 658

Super Charge¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: A Nicol| T: C W Fairhurst

66/1

Winner of a point-to-point, and seemingly life over fences will be his long term destination. Not shown anything over hurdles in four starts, so no reason to expect an improved effort today.

Form: 10/6P5-0

Hidden Rebel^h⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: A C Whillans

12/1

A five time Flat turf winner (all over 1m) with a rating of 79. Out of sorts in her last few runs on the level, and arrives for her hurdles debut on ground she'll handle, but with stamina to prove.

Form:

Forecasts

Inniscastle Lad (5/2), Hello Fellas (5/2), Jassas (7/2), Stoneboat Bill (8/1), Joke Dancer (12/1), Hidden Rebel (12/1), Pumaflor (22/1), In Focus (40/1), Super Charge (66/1), Red Ochre (100/1), Permission Granted (200/1), No Boundaries (200/1), Pc Dixon (250/1), Star Of Milan (250/1)

National Hunt racing makes a welcome return to Gosforth Park, with the track itself likely to be thriving for it's seven month break. However, conditions are likely to be riding on the faster side of good, and that has resulted in a rather modest turnout (potential wise) for the opening novices hurdle. HELLO FELLAS has arguably been slightly disappointing since a pleasing bumper debut at Ayr, but his second effort over hurdles at Carlisle last month reads well in the context of this race, with the fourth placed horse Cesar Collonges a gritty winner in Cumbria on Monday. Sedgefield runner up Inniscastle Lad would appear the safest forecast option, with his trainer Donald McCain no doubt grateful that he doesn't meet anything half as progressive as Ravenshill Road this time around.