14:25 Newbury

Friday 5 March 2021

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:40

BetVictor 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 5m 0.93s

Another Nightcap¹³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey

50/1

Clear second on sole start between the flags in October, but the third home has subsequently shown precious little in 4 starts under Rules, suggesting that the form doesn't amount to much.

Form: 2

Big 'n Better³⁵⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: M Madgwick

300/1

Glimmers of ability initially in bumpers, but beaten a long way on hurdles debut here back in January 2019. Sole subsequent start was in a point-to-point (fell) and can only be watched for new yard.

Form: 5590/F-

Cascova¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 129

5/2

Highly tried bumper winner for Martyn Meade. Left hurdles debut effort well behind when runner-up over 16.3f here in December and, though disappointing at Exeter next time, he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 120/P-2P

Dads Legacy²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Bargary| T: Ian Williams

150/1

No impact in 2 bumpers 14 months apart, and looks set for another struggle now making the switch to hurdles.

Form: 6-8

Famous Clermont²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: K Woollacott

14/1

Point winner who didn't shape badly on Rules debut in an Exeter bumper and was travelling well when running out turning for home on hurdles bow at Wincanton last month. Open to improvement.

Form: 8U2-13R

Famous Last Word³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: R T Dunne| T: Ian Williams

80/1

Fair third in a couple of bumpers in November/December, but subsequent hurdles debut at Doncaster was inauspicious.

Form: 8F-33P

Hoi Polloi¹²

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

13/8

Kempton bumper winner on debut last February and promising second on return/hurdles bow at Hereford in November. Unseated rider here since, but big player granted a clear round this time.

Form: 1-2U

Sheila's Spirit⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: D J Coakley

250/1

Mere glimmers of ability in bumpers and opening run over hurdles at Plumpton in January was hardly inspiring.

Form: 50-438

Sir Sholokhov^t⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: H Whittington

16/5

Won sole start in Irish points and shaped encouragingly when third in 16.3f novice hurdle won by subsequent Grade 2 scorer My Drogo here in November. This stiffer test may help unlock improvement.

Form: 1-3

Sonny Crockett^t¹⁰²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

7/1

Signs of promise when midfield in a Chepstow maiden in October, but has a bit to prove on the back of a disappointing display at Ludlow the following month.

Form: 6P

Forecasts

Hoi Polloi (13/8), Cascova (5/2), Sir Sholokhov (16/5), Sonny Crockett (7/1), Famous Clermont (14/1), Another Nightcap (50/1), Famous Last Word (80/1), Dads Legacy (150/1), Sheila's Spirit (250/1), Big 'n Better (300/1)

HOI POLLOI appeared to be feeling the pinch when unseating 3 out here recently but that was a warm race and, moreover, the drop to 16.3f wasn't ideal. He had previously shaped well over a similar trip to this at Hereford and is preferred to another promising type in Sir Sholokhov. Though disappointing at Exeter, it would be unwise to dismiss Cascova now that he's back on better ground.