12:30 Newcastle

Saturday 18 December 2021

All12:0012:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:25

bet365 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:31 | Winning time: 3m 53.08s

Royal Reserve^p,t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: P W Wadge⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 98| CD

7/1

Well held both starts over fences returning from a lengthy lay-off in May. Bit more like it returned to timber when third at Ayr fitted with headgear last month and he's a previous C&D winner.

Form: 534/573

Hajey⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 93

11/1

Modest maiden on Flat who is not straightforward and has gone backwards from a mildly encouraging hurdling debut in March.

Form: 3-759

Planned Paradise²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: James Best| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 93

5/1

Second of 2 finishers sole start in Irish points (Dec 2020). Better effort in maiden hurdles when sixth at Worcester on debut for this yard in June and type to do better now handicapping.

Form: 2-666

Les's Legacy¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: S Corbett| OR: 90

9/1

Maiden who fared as well as could be expected from well out of the weights when fourth of 6 at Musselburgh 12 days ago. Back on his correct mark here.

Form: 77-5944

Jess's Corner^p,h³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Dowson| T: V Thompson| OR: 90

66/1

Yet to win a race of any description and hard to get excited about both efforts for this yard in recent weeks.

Form: 80U-R67

Lleyton¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Callum Bewley| T: Justin Landy| OR: 89| D

12/1

Not straightforward and was again disappointing (had his supporters) at Wetherby in March. Pulled up on reappearance 16 days ago so has a lot to prove.

Form: 902P6-P

Stowaway John⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 89

28/1

Displayed ability in bumpers for Ronald O'Neill but yet to make any impact over hurdles for current yard, often failing to impress with his jumping.

Form: 5U84-P8

Edmond Dantes³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 86

16/5

Tailed off in a 4-y-o hurdle in France but having undergone a breathing operation, he has hinted at better to come in handicaps this autumn. Unexposed and one to consider.

Form: 98-65

Brickadank⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Miss Becky Smith⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 80

7/2

Still to get his head in front but he posted good second of 10 in handicap hurdle at Carlisle (20f) in October. Didn't finish race off with much conviction here last week but return to 2m will suit.

Form: 349526

Baraboy^p²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 76| D

15/2

Back to peak fitness on third start back from a lengthy absence when landing handicap hurdle at Hexham last month. Fair third at Sedgefield since and he can remain competitive.

Form: 49/0713

Filou D'Anjou¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: J Kington| T: S G West| OR: 64

100/1

Form: 0360P

Forecasts

Edmond Dantes (16/5), Brickadank (7/2), Planned Paradise (5/1), Royal Reserve (7/1), Baraboy (15/2), Les's Legacy (9/1), Hajey (11/1), Lleyton (12/1), Stowaway John (28/1), Jess's Corner (66/1), Filou D'Anjou (100/1)

Low-grade stuff but EDMOND DANTES is at least unexposed and has offered something to work on both starts in handicaps, so he is tentatively offered as the selection. Brickadank is interesting back over 2m, with Royal Reserve completing the shortlist.