14:25 Newton Abbot

Monday 9 September 2019

All14:2515:0015:3016:0016:3017:05

PKF Francis Clark 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 4m 37.40s

Rococo River¹²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 118| D

6/4

Improving with racing and came good when victorious over an extended 2m2f at Exeter (good) in a novice hurdle in May. Carries a penalty for that victory and is one for the shortlist in this contest.

Form: F/63-1

Jacamar⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Kevin Jones⁽³⁾| T: M F Harris| OR: 118

11/2

Maiden hurdle winner over an extended 1m7f at Wincanton (good) in April. Placed twice subsequently but well held fourth over 2m1f here when returning from a break recently.

Form: 6613-34

Ballycanew⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: Mark Gillard

150/1

Failed to figure in two Rules starts in Ireland and was beaten 77L in a 2m1f novice hurdle on good ground here on stable debut at the end of last month. Others make more appeal.

Form: P/0U-9

Bathiva¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: David Dennis| OR: 112| BF

3/1

Beaten a short-head in a maiden hurdle over an extended 2m at Stratford (good) in July and finished a decent third at Worcester (2m, good) on stable debut last time out. Of interest once more.

Form: 5/534-23

Niamh's Oscar³³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: J D Frost

50/1

Struggled in two Rules starts in 2018 but fared better when runner-up in a 3m point-to-point at Loughrea (good) last October. Interesting to see how he fares on stable debut.

Form: 772-

Rebel Leader¹⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington

9/4

Point-to-point winner over 3m on soft ground at Belclare in March. Purchased for £19,500 subsequently and is worth a check in the market on Rules debut.

Form: 1-

Huccaby¹²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe

33/1

Fair 29L eighth in a 2m1f bumper at Exeter (good) on debut in May. Interesting to see how he fares on debut over hurdles.

Form: 8

Atomic Article²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Miss L Blackford

100/1

Placed in a point-to-point at Curraghmore (3m, good) in April. Purchased for £6,000 subsequently and more needed than when finishing well beaten in a bumper on good-to-soft ground over 2m1f here on Rules debut last month.

Form: 62-6

Non-Runners

Not Going Out¹⁴²

Weight: 10-12| Age: 5

T: M F Harris J: James Best

Forecasts

Rococo River (6/4), Rebel Leader (9/4), Bathiva (3/1), Jacamar (11/2), Not Going Out (20/1), Huccaby (33/1), Niamh's Oscar (50/1), Atomic Article (100/1), Ballycanew (150/1)

BATHIVA showed good form on hurdling debut and he can get off the mark at the third time of asking over obstacles by taking the opening race on the card. The runner-up spot can go to Rococo River who was a novice hurdle winner at Exeter in May and is penalised for that success as a reult while third place can go to point-o-point winner Rebel Leader who is making his debut under Rules.