16:10 Newcastle
Thursday 28 March 2019
All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:40
John Waterworth Novices' Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 98y | Good to Soft (Good in places) | 11 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 3m 57.10s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Doubly-penalised; sets the clear form standard on the basis of his quick ground maiden/novice wins at Ayr and Musselburgh; a promising type (122-rated) who should prove more than capable of winning much better races granted a sound surface.
Rated in the 90's on the Flat for Henry Candy (1m2f scorer); lacked any real fluency on his second hurdles start at Musselburgh 43-days ago, but his 7¾L third placed finish (to Fisher Green) was still a definite step forward.
Pulled-up in both starts in PTP's and in truth hasn't looked to be any great shakes under rules either (bumper and a 2m Hexham novices' hurdle); needs more time.
Half-brother to three winners including the 2m Listed bumper scorer Babylone Des Mottes; failed to see out the 2m4f trip on heavy ground at Hexham a fortnight ago (pulled-up); probably better than that bare result implies.
Placed in a couple of Irish PTP's, including when beaten 12L by On My Wish List at Tinahely in November (3m, good); 0-2 so far under rules; likely to become more competitive once introduced to handicaps.
Seven-race Flat maiden (5f-1m3f); wears a tongue-tie on hurdles debut; returning from a 189-day absence; Brian Hughes takes the mount, albeit with others appearing to be far more obvious candidates.
Has shown some signs of minor improvement with more racing experience; finished 10L third to Erik The Red at Kelso (2m, good) in January; further improvement is needed this afternoon.
Placed on all three previous starts at Newcastle (2m-2m4f) behind a trio of fairly useful winners (Champagne Platinum, Rouge Vif and Imperial Aura); much respected on that basis, with today's quicker ground the slight unknown commodity.
Brother to the 7f Flat/2m hurdle winner Great Colaci; has started at odds of 250/1 on both previous outings over obstacles (Market Rasen); has predictably struggled, and is likely to do so once more; confidently look elsewhere.
Seven-race Flat maiden for George Baker (70-rated); joined this trainer for 14,000gns in October 2018; has finished runner-up on both starts over hurdles, including when caught close home by Playa Blanca at Huntingdon (2m maiden) 15-days ago.
Poor on the Flat for Keith Dalgleish (48-rated); had wind surgery prior to her hurdles/stable debut at Catterick (2m, soft) earlier this month - raced keenly and pulled-up before the second last; a tongue-tie is now applied.
Forecasts
Oscar Wilde (1/1), Lucky Lover Boy (11/4), Return Ticket (11/4), Capton (9/1), Izzy's Champion (25/1), It's Never Enough (25/1), Emirat De Catana (50/1), Epsom Des Mottes (50/1), Flaming Glory (125/1), Sultans Hero (200/1), Quiet Moment (250/1)
Lucky Lover Boy receives 14lb from the doubly-penalised RETURN TICKET and has the advantage of race-fitness. However, the Ruth Jefferson-trained runner remains a most exciting prospect and could ultimately prove to be a fair bit better than a 122-rated hurdler. The plan was always to give him the winter off the track as he requires a sound surface in order to be seen at his most potent. With the two-day Scottish Grand National fixture at Ayr on the horizon (April), he can take this race in his stride under the very capable 7lb claimer Aiden Blakemore before hopefully heading onto much better things.
- Return Ticket
- Oscar Wilde
- Lucky Lover Boy
Prize Money
1st: £4,094.002nd: £1,202.003rd: £601.004th: £301.00
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