Apollo Doors Gateshead Youth League Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 5m 6.07s

Solstice Star^p,t¹⁸⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: M Keighley| OR: 127| D

10/1

Was successful twice over hurdles last year. He ended his campaign over fences when he was pulled-up at Cheltenham in a 3m1½f handicap contest. Will need to find more from this mark but he goes well fresh so can't be discounted.

Form: 11716P-

Snookered^p¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 123| C

4/6

Has been busy over hurdles during the summer. He comes into this race on a hat-trick bid after back-to-back victories at this course over 2m1f. His last success was by 19L. He has gone up 8lb in the weights but could still be off a winnable mark.

Form: 6424-11

Nicely Indeed^p¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: P A Kirby| OR: 119| CD

16/1

A C&D winner who has been successful on both of his last appearances at this course. He made his seasonal return at Hexham (2m4f) where he was well held when he was fifth of eight. Needs to improve on his latest start. Others are preferred.

Form: 3211-05

Squouateur¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 115| D

7/1

Has won three times over hurdles but his last success was back in February 2016. His form recently has been disappointing, including when he was eighth of 11 on his latest attempt at Warwick (2m5f). Has been eased 4lb but he needs to improve.

Form: P-23548

Glorious Lady³²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 113

9/2

Has made a good start to her career with two wins from four starts. She won a maiden hurdle at Bangor (2m½f) two runs ago, while last time she was second of six at Kelso (2m5f). Has strong claims here on her handicap debut.

Form: 161-12

Valence D'Aumont²⁰⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 112

18/1

A winner over hurdles and fences in France. He has been well-beaten on all three of his starts in the UK so far, including when he was fifth of seven at Uttoxeter (2m4f) on his latest run. The handicapper has eased him 5lb so he has to be respected.

Form: 130035-

Forecasts

Snookered (4/6), Glorious Lady (9/2), Squouateur (7/1), Solstice Star (10/1), Nicely Indeed (16/1), Valence D'Aumont (18/1)

SNOOKERED blew away the field at this course last time by 19L after making all. He is stepping up in trip where he can complete his hat-trick as the 8lb rise in the weights is unlikely to be enough to stop him. Glorious Lady has made a good start to her hurdles career and she must be respected here on her handicap debut where she looks capable of being in the mix at the very least, while Valence D'Aumont has yet to produce his best in the UK so far but he may hit the frame off this 5lb lower mark.