Newton Abbot Racecourse Supports Mental Health Week Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 5m 28.80s

King Calvin^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Jack Barber| OR: 133

2/5

Has already won a maiden hurdle, at Wincanton two starts back, and carries a penalty for that victory, but ran well under the extra weight at Exeter last time and shouldn't have any issue with the ground.

Form: 211/412-

Bubble O'Clock^h1²¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F NichollsWS

12/1

Disappointing on debut in a bumper given his trainer and the fact he was sent off just 7/2, but hood and wind surgery should help and a better showing can be expected on this occasion.

Form: 0-

Diligent^h1,t1²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Miss H Welch⁽⁷⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 119

25/1

Has won over fences and in point-to-points, but yet to get off the mark over hurdles, and on first run for a new trainer in first-time headgear, he's best watched to see how he gets on over the smaller obstacles.

Form: 34623P-

Earth Leader¹⁸⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

15/2

Down the field on only start in a bumper but fair pedigree and should progress now switching to hurdles for the first time.

Form: 6-

Equus Flight¹¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen

7/1

Placed in a couple of point-to-points but couldn't make his mark in a bumper/maiden hurdle up to now. May improve for the switch to fences in time.

Form: 3/P24P-

Here's Bingo⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner

66/1

Beaten 80L on debut over hurdles at Exeter last time out, and needs to take a big step up in order to get competitive even in this relatively weak affair.

Form: 37-7

Troed Y Melin¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Bryony Le Clerc⁽³⁾| T: J D Frost

33/1

1-9 in point-to-points and has just his second start under rules here having previously finished midfield in a bumper. Uncertain as to whether hurdles will be suitable for him.

Form: 4/3U21-5

Forecasts

King Calvin (2/5), Equus Flight (7/1), Earth Leader (15/2), Bubble O'Clock (12/1), Diligent (25/1), Troed Y Melin (33/1), Here's Bingo (66/1)

Not a strong novice hurdle by any stretch of the imagination, and so this can go to the previous winner KING CALVIN. He ran well under a penalty at Exeter last time and that performance suggests that he should be able to pick up a second victory here, with the sounder surface unlikely to be an issue based on his point-to-point form. Meanwhile, the Paul Nicholls pair Bubble O'clock and Earth Leader should be able to improve on their previous efforts under rules.