15:15 Newton Abbot

Friday 21 September 2018

All14:1014:4015:1515:4516:2016:55

Happy 60th Birthday Chris Cross Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 4m 7.2s

Acker Bilk^p,t²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe

2/1

Dual Flat winner who opened his account in a similarly weak race at Worcester. His task was made easier when three rivals came down at the third last, but he did the job comfortably and can achieve more.

Form: 1

Auld Sod^h1⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: James Best| T: R Harris| OR: 107

3/1

Shaped well here last month and again at Worcester on Monday. Hood fitted this time but a couple of these ex-Flat racers should still be too quick.

Form: 464375

Buachaill Beag^t⁸⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: M G Rimell

66/1

Only managed to beat two rivals in three bumpers and ran out on hurdling debut. Off more than two years since and only the most optimistic will see him winning.

Form: 843R/

Casement³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King

7/2

Below his best on the Flat this summer but represents a yard with a record of 8-22 with hurdlers here over the past five seasons. Appears to need some give in the ground so rain would be a help.

Form:

Great Fairy³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland

66/1

Beaten a long way in all starts and soon tailed off last time. Drops in trip and has plenty to find.

Form: 53P-569

Maraakib³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: M G Nolan| T: Alexandra Dunn

25/1

Out of form lately and well beaten in uncompetitive contests on both starts over hurdles. His losing streak looks set to be extended.

Form: 47

Shiroccan Roll¹³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle

4/1

Shirocco gelding related to a winning hurdler who was a tad too keen on both starts in bumpers. Showed enough to suggest he can pick up a race a small race when learning to settle.

Form: 5-3

Stand By Me³²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: A E Jones| CDWS

8/1

Has had five races spanning almost four years, so clearly not easy to train. Winner of a modest bumper here and tailed off on hurdling debut when last seen 11 months ago.

Form: 7931/0-

Non-Runners

Plymouth Sound²⁰

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: B J Llewellyn J: Robert Williams

Forecasts

Acker Bilk (2/1), Auld Sod (3/1), Casement (7/2), Shiroccan Roll (4/1), Stand By Me (8/1), Maraakib (25/1), Plymouth Sound (33/1), Buachaill Beag (66/1), Great Fairy (66/1)

Casement is respected on hurdling debut for a yard that do well here and whose horses are in good form. Softer ground appears important to him and as a result ACKER BILK is taken to follow up his Worcester success and overcome a penalty. He showed plenty of enthusiasm for this new discipline and had the race sewn up two out, although his task was made easier when the favourite fell.