13:25 Newcastle

Saturday 14 December 2019

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:45

Betway Novice Stakes

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 2m 45.28s

(5)

Bobba Tee⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Cam Hardie| T: L A Mullaney

33/1

Well held in two bumpers but starting to get the hang of things judging by his latest outing on the Flat; was a close third in a novice stakes here eight days ago and has scope for further improvement now he's up in trip. Worth a betting check.

Form: 53

(2)

Drums Of War^p⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: G Lee| T: C Grant

100/1

Plenty of experience over hurdles but was 1¼L behind Bobba Tee here earlier in the month and arguably still has a bit to find despite being 1lb better off at the weights. Possible he lacks the turn of foot to reverse the form over this longer trip.

Form: 4

(11)

Ice Pyramid³⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: B A Curtis| T: P A Kirby

8/1

Well-bred gelding who cost 130,000 gns as a yearling but swapped hands for just £30,000 after just one start for Godolphin last year. He's been off since a modest effort here in January but might simply have needed time. The betting can guide.

Form: 2-3

(7)

Sharp Suited⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison

7/4

Debut run was an ordinary effort but the gelding, who wasn't introduced to racing until last month, showed some benefit with a near miss at Wolverhampton last week. That was a pleasing run and he's entitled to be thereabouts if he can improve again.

Form: 32

(6)

Ska Ridge^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Harrison Shaw⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies

50/1

Has a poor completion rate over hurdles but showed more enthusiasm when finishing just behind Sharp Suited at Newcastle last month. That rival has subsequently improved so another step forward is already a prerequisite this time.

Form: 4

(8)

Battle Commander²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: Olly Williams| OR: 59

150/1

The first of his three previous starts gave a glimmer of hope but he hasn't gone forward and the way in which he capitulated (at odds of 100/1) last time hardly suggested he's one to keep on the right side. Needs to improve considerably to figure.

Form: 478

(3)

Gabriel Oak^t1⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P Mulrennan| T: D McCain JnrWS

22/1

Had wind surgery since last seen over hurdles but did show some promise when tried on the Flat during his time with Donald McCain. Improvement needed but still worth a betting check.

Form: 45

(10)

Harbour Front⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Seamus Cronin⁽⁵⁾| T: R Brisland

11/2

Related to hatful of winners but was already a gelding by the time he made his belated debut in October. The three-year-old was a well beaten third behind a couple of decent types and he's possibly got more to offer. One to consider.

Form: 3

(9)

Melburnian¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Ray Dawson⁽⁵⁾| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 63

16/1

Three previous runs have been modest but he's made a bit of headway and at least has experience of the trip. Others might be a bit more progressive at this stage and a rating of 63 possibly flatters him; but he might do better when handicapping.

Form: 076

(1)

Mount Barina

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: J J Davies

100/1

A cheap purchase at the Doncaster sales last December and only just set to make her racecourse bow. Others have an obvious edge in terms of experience and only a strong market move would tempt the interest above tepid.

Form:

(4)

Finespun²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden

13/8

A Sea The Stars filly with winners in her pedigree; she improved on her debut run to finish third of twelve at Wolverhampton last month and appears to be going the right way. Highly respected contender from a top yard.

Form: 53

Forecasts

Finespun (13/8), Sharp Suited (7/4), Harbour Front (11/2), Ice Pyramid (8/1), Melburnian (16/1), Gabriel Oak (22/1), Bobba Tee (33/1), Ska Ridge (50/1), Drums Of War (100/1), Mount Barina (100/1), Battle Commander (150/1)

Finespun is respected as she gets weight from the boys and doesn't have much to find; but a chance is taken that BOBBY TEE just has an edge on the form of his effort over 1m here earlier in the month and, as he's already raced over further than this, his stamina advantage might be the crucial ingredient. Sharp Suited and Ska Ridge are closely matched but the former looks the more solid option at this stage and is rated as the main danger to the selection. Harbour Front would also be of interest if money arrives to back up his claims.