12:40 Newbury

Saturday 28 December 2019

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Betway 'Introductory' Hurdle

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 3m 57.55s

Aheadfullofdreams¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton

100/1

Half-brother to smart hurdler/useful chaser Its'afreebee (from the same yard). Unplaced in both Irish point-to-points and made an unpromising start to his hurdling career at Southwell; hard to see him getting involved.

Form: 66/7

Another Tuco¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Teal⁽⁵⁾| T: W Greatrex

100/1

Winner in Irish point-to points cost £12,000 after his last outing in that sphere. Looked badly in need of the experience on his hurdling debut at Doncaster earlier this month; may well be one for the longer-term.

Form: 6F-15

Buzz De Turcoing^h1,t²⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Adrian Heskin| T: S DrinkwaterWS

33/1

Fortunate winner on his third start in Irish point-to-points he was given a tough introduction to hurdling in a Cheltenham Grade 2 (100-1) in the spring. Had wind surgery over the summer, hood now added to his previously worn tongue-tie.

Form: 16-

Cristal Spirit¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: L P Aspell| T: J R Boyle| CD

33/1

Winner over 2m here on the Flat (final run for George Baker) he shaped as if in need of the experience on his Plumpton hurdling debut. Never dangerous he'll need to improve his jumping to be successful in this sphere, may also need further.

Form: 3

Kilpin

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

33/1

Only runner in the field without any racing experience he still makes some appeal given his pedigree. Dam 1m4f winner on Flat in Germany, half-sister to very smart hurdler/useful chaser Catch Me and useful hurdler/chaser (stayed 2½m) Cash And Go.

Form:

Larcadio²⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Henderson

100/1

Failed to complete in his first three Irish point-to-point starts, winning on the fourth but still has more letters than numbers to his name. Well beaten when last seen in that sphere, one of the less lights in this contest.

Form: PFF1-5

Mister Coffey²⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| D

11/8

Yard have a very good record in this sort of event at the track and this one makes plenty of appeal on hurdling debut. Winner of his only bumper (scored in style having been strong in the market); imposing sort sure to be a leading player.

Form: 1-

On To Victory²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King

11/4

Useful Flat stayer winning at up to 1m6f he showed that he retains his ability despite unseating at the last on his hurdling debut after a sizeable absence. Should be none the worse for the experience and worth another chance.

Form: U

Premiumaccess⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard

9/1

Placed in two Irish point-to-points prior to getting off the mark in that sphere in November (subsequently sold for £70,000). Nicely bred sort who should make his mark over hurdles coming from a major yard; one to watch in the market.

Form: 2-31

Shakem Up'arry¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| BF

11/1

Showed plenty of ability in what looked to be a strong bumper on his debut earlier in the year at Ffos Las. Failed to complete on his hurdling debut after a ten-month absence, still going well when coming down three out; not ruled out.

Form: 3-F

Stimulating Song^h²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: J E Moore| T: M F Harris

16/1

Fair form in bumpers without winning he ran to the same level when making his hurdling debut earlier in the month. Took a keen hold but travelled well (finished with running left); not given a hard time, should improve further.

Form: 6-2254

Winged Affair²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: P R Webber

150/1

Well held when making his hurdling debut at Leicester earlier in the month; took a strong hold and eventually faded, pulled up early in the straight. Makes some appeal on pedigree (brother to two decent hurdlers); hard to make a case for.

Form: 0

Call Me Chris¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: William Marshall⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton

100/1

From a major yard who run three in this but has only so far hinted a limited ability in a Catterick bumper and on her hurdles debut at Southwell. Hard to see her getting involved here and best watched for now.

Form: 04

Dylan's Sea Song¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: James Davies| T: M D I Usher

50/1

Did manage to finish second over this trip here in a bumper on her second start but hasn't repeated that form since. Didn't do too badly over C&D on hurdles debut suggesting that she may do better in less exacting company.

Form: 829-9

Flintara^h¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: J McGrath| T: R Bandey

200/1

Well held on his only bumper start last month it was much the same story on his hurdles debut at Fontwell. Looks as though he needs more time; bred for longer trips and unlikely to be getting involved at this level.

Form: 58

Who What When⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: M McGrath| C

9/1

Flat-bred filly who won her first two bumpers (one a Listed event) before maintaining a fair level of form at Listed/Grade 2 level. Back to her best last time when conceding weight to all; interesting on her hurdling debut.

Form: 110-4

Scorched Earth³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| D

16/1

The only 3yo in the field he was a fairly useful sort on the Flat for Ger Lyons. Well supported on his juvenile hurdle debut he wasn't given much to beat at Catterick for this yard; should be capable of better in time over hurdles.

Form: 1

Forecasts

Mister Coffey (11/8), On To Victory (11/4), Who What When (9/1), Premiumaccess (9/1), Shakem Up'arry (11/1), Scorched Earth (16/1), Stimulating Song (16/1), Buzz De Turcoing (33/1), Kilpin (33/1), Cristal Spirit (33/1), Dylan's Sea Song (50/1), Another Tuco (100/1), Larcadio (100/1), Call Me Chris (100/1), Aheadfullofdreams (100/1), Winged Affair (150/1), Flintara (200/1)

An interesting event despite the very mixed level of ability on display with the obvious choice the hurdling debutant Mister Coffey who also makes his first start for the Henderson yard having cost an eye-watering £340,000 in May. Described as an imposing sort the market is sure to give an idea of his worth but the choice goes to good Flat stayer ON TO VICTORY who showed plenty of promise on his hurdling debut until tipping up at the last, compensation awaits. Premiumaccess and Scored Earth are a couple of others that are likely to be involved whilst the good bumper filly Who What When may well attract some attention as she tries hurdles for the first time.