14:40 Newcastle

Saturday 6 April 2019

All13:3014:0514:4015:2015:5516:3017:00

Vertem Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:53 | Winning time: 5m 6.70s

Enfin Phil^p¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 118

10/1

Hurdles winner in France been competitive in three of four novice hurdles with the only exception when behind the smart Captain Moirette. Sedgefield second latest smart form at this level so expect him to go close.

Form: 416342

Bally Conor⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson

1/1

Bumper winner ran well twice over hurdles so far (three starts) and ran well latest when second of six over C&D. That form among the best on offer so looks to have strong claims here.

Form: 41362

Bluefortytwo^t1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: J Ewart

5/1

Improved effort latest when staying on takingly for second of 11 over this trip at Ayr. That form should see him go close today and no surprise if he improves further with Brian Hughes aboard.

Form: 24-62

Knockoura⁶⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes

25/1

Won first point-to-point at the fourth time of asking at Dromahane by 18L. Ought to be capable under rules now but may be better suited by further and over fences.

Form: 22/21-

Looks Like Murt⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Blair Campbell⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

11/2

Showed some promise when second at Ayr on rules debut and similarly decent effort at same venue next when third in a novice hurdle. Doubt this race much stronger than that so bold bid has to be considered likely.

Form: 2-23

Manicman³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonathan England| T: S England

100/1

Showed very little in three point-to-points and pulled up before four out on hurdles debut at Southwell last month. Can only be watched.

Form: 43PP

Metro Boulot Dodo⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Steven Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: D Bourke

50/1

Signs of ability in a couple of point-to-point starts last year and ran well on both starts in bumpers. Finished fifth of nine at Musselburgh on hurdles debut which was promising but also a long way short of the required.

Form: 6-6535

Native Fighter¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Billy Garritty⁽⁷⁾| T: Jedd O'Keeffe

20/1

OR 78 on the Flat, where he has won twice on both turf and AW. Well held on hurdles debut at Musselburgh before finishing remote third at Carlisle latest. Only of place potential on what we've seen so far.

Form: 63

Nearly Man^h1,t⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Callum Bewley| T: A C Whillans

50/1

Showed ability in bumpers when with Gordon Elliott last year. Debut for new yard saw him a remote 11th of 13 at Ayr so best watched here.

Form: 53-40

Nelson Road⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: T Davidson

5/1

Won a 2m2f Flat handicap on testing ground in Ireland in 2017, the sole success of a 21-race career in both codes. Promising fourth of 13 at Wetherby on stable debut/second hurdle run. More needed but time on his side.

Form: 0-4

The Boo Box²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Callum Whillans⁽³⁾| T: D W Whillans

100/1

Tailed off last on hurdles bow and miles behind Bluefortytwo latest when a remote sixth. One for further down the road.

Form: 9706

Non-Runners

Carry On Arcadio²⁸

Weight: 11-0| Age: 7

T: N G Richards J: Sean Quinlan

Forecasts

Bally Conor (1/1), Nelson Road (5/1), Bluefortytwo (5/1), Looks Like Murt (11/2), Carry On Arcadio (7/1), Enfin Phil (10/1), Native Fighter (20/1), Knockoura (25/1), Metro Boulot Dodo (50/1), Nearly Man (50/1), The Boo Box (100/1), Manicman (100/1)

In a race where several of these have achieved a similar level of form so far the vote goes to recent Ayr second BLUEFORTYTWO who had a couple of these behind in that most promising effort. Bally Conor was also second latest and the fact it was over C&D only adds to his appeal here. Another likely to soon be winning races is Looks Like Murt who started well over hurdles.