14:20 Warwick

Sunday 11 March 2018

All14:2014:5015:2515:5516:3017:0017:30

Newark Livestock Market Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:21 | Winning time: 4m 22.52s

Piton Pete³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 132| D

4/11

Looks to need a test of stamina at this trip and got that when winning a maiden last time at Towcester after some previous creditable efforts. Penalty now makes life tougher and may do better in handicaps.

Form: 2/3-2331

Bahama Moon⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill

16/1

Useful sort on the Flat and looked as though he had taken to hurdling with a decent first effort although looks as though better ground will suit (stamina issues). Failed to build on that run last time and questions to answer.

Form: 69

Ballyhome¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Brendan Powell| T: B G Powell

33/1

Fair sort in bumpers he looked to need the run on his first start for this yard over hurdles. Failed to come on last time out though for that run and he'll be better off in handicaps once he gains a mark.

Form: 1368-58

Cloudy Glen²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams

28/1

Has shown ability in both his hurdles starts albeit he has yet to be involved at the finish. Not knocked about in either of those runs and needs this run for a mark before going handicapping.

Form: 506

Court Duty²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: J E Moore| T: J L Flint

80/1

Another one who showed little in bumpers but took a step forward on his debut over hurdles looking one for the future without being unduly punished; needs more time.

Form: 8-084

Fire Ahead¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Dave Crosse| T: Ian Williams

100/1

Pulled-up in his only start in Irish point-to-points the form he's shown in two novice hurdles has proved little better; finished well held both times.

Form: 90

Great Lover³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White

10/1

Showed little promise in his first two hurdle runs but there was a little more potential in his third start recently at Taunton (finished 4th). That run came after a break and the winner (Storm Home) has won again.

Form: P84

Oscar Bravo^t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George

40/1

Almost certainly needed the run after a long break for his former yard when making his hurdling debut recently. Never on terms in that run but may show a little more here with that run under his belt.

Form: 7/38-0

Moonlight Dancer³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

25/1

Quite well fancied on her debut in a Huntingdon bumper (made some appeal on pedigree) she did look as though she needed the run though. Will come on for that experience as she makes her hurdling debut.

Form: 5

Sugar Storm³⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: M Keighley

50/1

Makes her debut for this yard having been pulled-up when last seen at Worcester over 2m4f on far better ground. Her other form over hurdles has been modest though and she may well need this run.

Form: 0055-P

Taking A Chance⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: R T Dunne| T: Ian Williams

10/1

Looks as though she's being brought along gradually although she did shape better on her second start at Ludlow. Not knocked about and may show more this time around.

Form: 2-P5

Helf^t¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: G Sheehan| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

50/1

A maiden on the Flat when with Richard Hannon she looked in need of the experience on her debut over hurdles at Doncaster. More needed to take a hand here.

Form: 9

Simafar¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: C Poste| T: O Murphy

12/1

At least stepped up on his hurdling debut when taking third at Warwick (was beaten 22L). Needs one more run for a handicap mark and that may well be where his future lies.

Form: 63

Zamalight¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Thomas Garner⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy

50/1

Ran some reasonable races on the Flat but remained a maiden in that sphere and showed very little on his hurdles debut over C&D.

Form: 8

Non-Runners

Starcrossed¹⁷

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Earcomestom¹⁶

Weight: 11-1| Age: 6

T: P A Pritchard J: Thomas Bellamy

Luma's Gift¹⁸

Weight: 10-8| Age: 6

T: Miss C Dyson J: J M Quinlan

Forecasts

Piton Pete (4/11), Starcrossed (9/2), Great Lover (10/1), Taking A Chance (10/1), Simafar (12/1), Bahama Moon (16/1), Moonlight Dancer (25/1), Cloudy Glen (28/1), Ballyhome (33/1), Oscar Bravo (40/1), Helf (50/1), Zamalight (50/1), Sugar Storm (50/1), Court Duty (80/1), Fire Ahead (100/1), Luma's Gift (100/1), Earcomestom (100/1)

Quite a few of these will show more when they have a mark for handicaps among those would be Cloudy Glen from the Venetia Williams yard that have taken this race for the past two years. Great Lover could also be put in that category along with Simafar. Despite the penalties this looks to lie between the two runners who carry that impost Piton Pete and STARCROSSED. The former may just need a slightly stiffer test of stamina and the vote goes to the latter who looks to have more improvement left in him after showing improved form to win at Huntingdon last time.