16:25 Newbury

Saturday 23 March 2019

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:3017:35

John Haine Memorial Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 3m 59.9s

Elisezmoi¹¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore

20/1

Makes his UK/stable debut after winning last of three hurdle races in France at Fontainebleau over 2m2f on very soft ground. Hard to be sure what that form amounts to but obviously has ability and yard do well with French imports; market may guide.

Form: 251

Vinnie The Hoddie³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 128

5/1

Gowran Park maiden hurdle winner when trained by Joseph O'Brien and ran with plenty of merit on debut for this yard when second to useful Prabeni at Doncaster. Penalty here but certainly has amongst the best form.

Form: 0-31602

El Kaldoun⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| D

14/1

Bumper winner on debut and then seemed to find Bangor's 2m too sharp for him when fourth next time. Midfield on hurdles debut at Sandown suggested he may need a little more time and distance and De Boinville prefers Sunrise Ruby.

Form: 147

Golden Hour⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: Simon Earle

150/1

Unplaced in three bumpers and although he got closer in the most recent that was still a 19L fifth in an ordinary affair. Can only recommend watching brief on hurdles bow.

Form: 885

Graceful James⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁵⁾| T: J C Fox| BF

40/1

75-rated three-time AW winner on the Flat. Makes his hurdles debut here but this a warm enough contest and likely to need at least a run or two to be competitive.

Form:

Honourmission¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington

66/1

Fourth in a Ludlow bumper on debut and well held when seventh of 13 on hurdles bow at Hereford (2m3½f) latest. Can improve now but doubtful enough to make the frame.

Form: 47

Humble Hero^t⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 122| BF

5/2

87-rated dual Flat winner for William Haggas has finished second in both hurdle races to date and went down by just a short-head latest at Ludlow. Excellent form to bring to the table considering he's a short head away from a 6lb penalty.

Form: 22

Storm Goddess⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: R T Dunne| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 120

9/2

Excellent second to smart Mega Yeats at Christmas showed her potential and duly built on that when winning on the bridle at Doncaster (2m3½f) latest. Penalised for that but remains open to plenty of improvement and highly respected.

Form: 554321

Crown Of Roses¹³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton

150/1

Beat just one home on debut at Stratford and tailed off last next at Warwick. Given time since but can only be watched here.

Form: 70

Far Bihoue²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds

66/1

Well beaten third of seven and fourth of six in recent bumpers. Likely find this considerably tougher and best watches.

Form: 34

Makety²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: L Heard| T: O Sherwood| D

16/1

Excellent second albeit well beaten by potentially top-class Epatante (unplaced fav in Cheltenham Festival Grade Two) at Exeter most recently. Maybe a little flattered there but nevertheless that huge improvement and must be respected.

Form: 1-62

Sunrise Ruby⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| D

15/8

Winner of her lone bumper at Southwell back in June. Runner-up won twice afterwards to frank the form. Second on hurdles bow here over 2m4½f in January and can only improve now for yard which won this last year. Leading claims.

Form: 12

Forecasts

Sunrise Ruby (15/8), Humble Hero (5/2), Storm Goddess (9/2), Vinnie The Hoddie (5/1), El Kaldoun (14/1), Makety (16/1), Elisezmoi (20/1), Graceful James (40/1), Far Bihoue (66/1), Honourmission (66/1), Crown Of Roses (150/1), Golden Hour (150/1)

HUMBLE HERO was pretty smart on the flat and promises to be every bit as good over hurdles with two seconds in as many races; the latest when going down by a short-head. He can improve further and land the spoils here. Sunrise Ruby is most feared given her good second on hurdles bow here especially considering her trainer. Storm Goddess won in little more than a canter latest and has to be respected also.