15:20 Hexham

Saturday 16 June 2018

All14:1514:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

St Martins Care Novices' Chase

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 5m 15.40s

Bafana Blue^t¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 99| CD

14/1

Made a winning chasing debut over C&D last month (good) when beating the modest Court Painter by 1L; didn't stay 2m6f at Uttoxeter, but faces a very tough task on these terms.

Form: P49-816

Jacks Last Hope^v³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: C Grant| OR: 139| D

2/1

Left with very little to beat on his second chasing start at Perth last month (3m good); but jumped well in the main and got the job done. Rock-solid 142-rated hurdler who ticks all of the boxes despite dropping back in trip.

Form: 15127-1

Loch Linnhe^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 115| CD

17/2

Held on gamely when downing General Mahler by 1L on chasing debut over C&D in early May, but less convincing upped to 3m at Bangor; plenty to find at the weights and a liking for the track isn't enough.

Form: 2/62P-1P

Arizona Bound^p³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 91

25/1

Not won since his bumper days with Gordon Elliott (July 2017) despite six attempts over hurdles. Possibility that chasing was always the plan (cost £32,000), but doesn't look anywhere near strong enough at this level on chasing debut.

Form: 9552U-9

Hard Knocks¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Alison Clarke⁽⁷⁾| T: Kenny Johnson

50/1

Never ever competitive on stable/chasing debut a fortnight ago (3m), tongue tie removed; no chance.

Form: 26-P

Leonasisland^h¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: W Coltherd

50/1

Failed to complete on three of his four starts, including over 3m at Perth latest; no chance.

Form: PP0-P

Sigurd¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 113

12/1

Had various trainers, but did manage to win over hurdles for Jonjo O'Neill in April 2017 (2m4f Market Rasen). Bought for £10,000 in November 2017, but beaten 16L on chasing debut at Carlisle in May (2m5f); more required.

Form: 381/0-93

The Unit³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 140

4/9

Talented hurdler (140-rated), but does have a few quirks. Mixed messages over fences so far (has made his fair share of mistakes), but this is a much easier task than tackling the likes of Willoughby Court and Cyrname.

Form: 3/2327-8

Forecasts

The Unit (4/9), Jacks Last Hope (2/1), Loch Linnhe (17/2), Sigurd (12/1), Bafana Blue (14/1), Arizona Bound (25/1), Hard Knocks (50/1), Leonasisland (50/1)

Effectively a match between The Unit and JACKS LAST HOPE on all known hurdles form. There's no denying that the Chris Grant-trained runner has taken better to the larger obstacles so far, but equally his fencing hasn't been tested by the likes of Willoughby Court and Cyrname as has been the case for Alan King-trained horse.