12:00 Newcastle

Saturday 21 December 2019

All12:0012:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:20

bet365 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:02 | Winning time: 4m 17.50s

Little Pippin^p³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁷⁾| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 95| D

20/1

Ran respectably enough on her return to action at Sedgefield (2m; soft) last month. Will need to step up a bit on the bare form of that contest. Arrives here off a 3lb lower mark though, and isn't fully exposed over hurdles just yet.

Form: 0/5139-3

Misscarlett^p⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 94

18/1

Makes handicap debut after being heavily beaten on each start in the novice hurdle sphere. Should find this easier, but is impossible to recommend on what she has shown so far. Watching brief advised.

Form: 387

Western Lass¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: K Scott| OR: 93

22/1

Dropped another 2lb after her most recent effort at Kelso (2m; soft). However that was just her second handicap start, and she wasn't completely disgraced despite finishing seventh. This represents a slight drop in class, and she could run well.

Form: 53/04-07

Bingo D'Olivate^h⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽³⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 92| BF| D

16/1

Finished last of those who completed when a very underwhelming eighth on seasonal reappearance when well-fancied (sent off 9-4f) at Hexham (2m; heavy) last month. Just 1lb above his last winning mark, but really needs to bounce back.

Form: 6/163F-8

Pistol^t⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr John Dixon⁽⁷⁾| T: J E Dixon| OR: 92| D

14/1

Has not progressed from what was a promising seasonal reappearance when he finished third at Carlisle (2m4f; good to soft). Well behind both Donald Dux and Calliope over C&D last week, and is very hard to make a case for.

Form: 24-4366

Starplex⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 89| C

11/10

Justified market favouritism (5/2f) when winning easily enough over slightly further here recently. Travelled like the best horse in the race then, and would have won by further but for a bad mistake at the last. Major player off a 7lb higher mark.

Form: 0P6-421

Uno Valoroso²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 86| CD

8/1

Better known as a chaser, but did post a decent effort when third at Hexham (2m; heavy) over the smaller obstacles last month. Not as good last time out when only fourth over fences at Bangor (2m1f; heavy). Yard in good form though.

Form: 423-634

Calliope^t⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 86| BF

5/1

Dual-purpose mare who is yet to register a victory over hurdles, but bumped into one when runner-up over C&D just nine days ago. May not be open to as much improvement as her rivals, but is entitled to be bang there if in the same form.

Form: 035552

Karasheni^h1²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 96

16/1

Suffered heavy defeats on each of his three starts over hurdles since switched to this sphere. Never involved at Catterick (2m; good to soft) most recently, and has masses to prove now handicapping. Others seem far more appealing.

Form: 380

Donald Dux^t⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: J Kington| T: A Crook| OR: 79

8/1

Stepped up on previous efforts when showing signs of encouragement to finish fourth over C&D recently. Work to do to reverse form with Calliope who finished second in front of him then. Much less exposed than that rival though.

Form: 04-984

Madam Scully²⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Ross Chapman| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 75

66/1

Makes her seasonal return after 259 days off the track. Didn't show anything of real note in novice hurdles last season, before making a similarly low-key handicap debut over 2m4f at this track back in April. Marked improvement required.

Form: 806697-

Forecasts

Starplex (11/10), Calliope (5/1), Donald Dux (8/1), Uno Valoroso (8/1), Pistol (14/1), Bingo D'Olivate (16/1), Karasheni (16/1), Misscarlett (18/1), Little Pippin (20/1), Western Lass (22/1), Madam Scully (66/1)

An opening contest in which the safest option is to stick with recent course winner STARPLEX who won over 2m4f here last week. He did his best to throw his chances of victory away when producing a terrible jump at the last, but still managed to win comfortably. In a similarly weak contest, Brian Hughes can partner him to success for the second time this month. Both Calliope and Donald Dux couldn't land a glove on an impressive winner when the pair finished second and fourth here last week but are highly likely to be bang there again. Western Lass can build upon her midfield effort at Kelso and run well as she continues to gain experience in the handicap ranks.