15:50 Newbury

Friday 28 February 2020

All14:1014:4515:1515:5016:2016:5517:25

West Berkshire Mencap 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 5m 6.85s

Eritage⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133| BF

7/2

Impressed when justifying odds-on favouritism by 19L in a novice hurdle over an extended 2m at Taunton (good-to-soft) and ran well despite suffering a defeat when runner-up over the same C&D subsequently. Leading player stepping up in trip.

Form: 31-F512

Full Back³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore

8/1

Built on a promising Rules debut at Ascot when recording a 4¼L victory in a 2m3f maiden hurdle at Fontwell (soft) just over a month ago. Shapes as if further will suit and he is an interesting contender in this event.

Form: 251

Arc Of Bubbles^t⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: M Goldstein| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes

150/1

Fair effort when finishing sixth in a big field maiden hurdle over an extended 1m7f at Wincanton (soft) on hurdling debut early last month. Struggled in bumpers prior to that and more needed if he's to take this race.

Form: 0086

Brinkley¹⁰⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe

9/2

Promising 21L seventh in a bumper over an extended 2m at Punchestown (yielding-to-soft) in April last year. Improved on that when 1L third in a 2m4f maiden hurdle at the same venue on hurdles debut in November. Strong claims on debut for this yard.

Form: 73

Coeur Serein⁹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill

40/1

Placed in a couple of bumpers including when 12L third at Chepstow (2m, soft) in November. Fair seventh on hurdles debut at Kempton (2m, good) later that month and interesting to see how he performs upped in trip on his return from a break.

Form: 337

Cubao⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: Miss R Curtis

66/1

Bumper winner finished 16L fourth in a six runner 2m4f novice hurdle at Aintree (soft) on hurdling debut in November. Pulled up at Doncaster (2m5f, soft) subsequently however and others make more appeal.

Form: 144P

Do Your Job⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: M Scudamore

10/1

Impressive 5L winne rof a point-to-point at Castletown-Geoghegan (3m, soft) in October but finished a well held 21L fifth on Rules debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, heavy) in December. Interesting to see how he fares on debut for a new yard.

Form: 15

Hawk's Well²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle

25/1

Decent effort in finishing 23L fifth in a 2m5f novice hurdle at Warwick (good-to-soft) earlier this month. Returning from a break that day and interesting to see how he performs on this occasion.

Form: 43-65

It Sure Is⁷⁰

11/8

Point-to-point winner showed good form over hurdles for this yard earlier this campaign. Had wind surgery since finishing fourth over an extended 2m5f at Ascot (heavy) in December and is one to note for a top yard.

Form: 1-24

Farne¹¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: N B King

16/1

Placed in four bumpers including a Grade 2 at Aintree (2m1f, soft) last April. Well held last of eight over an extended 2m on hurdling debut here in November and is probably best watched in this event.

Form: 2234-8

Forecasts

It Sure Is (11/8), Eritage (7/2), Brinkley (9/2), Full Back (8/1), Do Your Job (10/1), Farne (16/1), Hawk's Well (25/1), Coeur Serein (40/1), Cubao (66/1), Arc Of Bubbles (150/1)

ERITAGE was the winner of his penultimate start and he can record a second victory over hurdles by taking this decent looking novice event. The selection can get the better of his rivals here with Brinkley who is making his debut for his current yard capable of taking second on his second start over hurdles while third place can go to It Sure Is who is making his first appearance since wind surgery.