16:50 Newcastle

Saturday 19 March 2022

All13:5814:3315:1015:4316:1816:5016:5317:2517:28

Johnnie Walker At Barluga Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:52 | Winning time: 5m 2.54s

Theocrat^t¹⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Kieren Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 116

10/1

Back in the winning groove over 2m at Worcester in September and respectable third off this mark at Huntingdon a month later. However, absent since and stamina to prove now upped in trip.

Form: 644F13

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Getareason^t,v⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 115| D

11/2

Opened account for current yard over fences at Hexham last spring and while it's a long time since he last scored in this sphere, his latest C&D third in a first-time visor was encouraging. Claims.

Form: 244903

Curramore^p1,t¹¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 114| BF

10/3

Back on track following a wind op when justifying support on return at Kelso in October. Third off this 7 lb higher mark at Ayr (19.5f) subsequently, but more needed here in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: P4/3-413

Beach Break^b⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 110| D

20/1

It was a struggle, for the most part, in 2021 and latest start on the Flat at Southwell in January was underwhelming. Best to look elsewhere.

Form: 426545

Kajaki^b⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 108

9/2

Snapped a long losing run when cosily accounting for 10 rivals at Sedgefield (21.2f) at the end of January. Remains on a handy mark following a 4 lb rise and he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 348431

Bak Rocky¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: A M Thomson| OR: 108

18/1

Encouraging signs initially for this yard, particularly when a close second in a 6-runner Hexham maiden in December. However, subsequently offered little on his handicap bow at Catterick (19.3f).

Form: 0-PU429

Kinondo Kwetu¹¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 104| D

6/1

Unbeaten in 2 starts in points and best effort yet under Rules when second in a 2m Wetherby novice in November. Absent since, but could have more to offer now upped in trip for this handicap debut.

Form: 1/1-472

Idilico¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 101| D

12/1

Fair winner on Flat and did the job well back in this sphere at Musselburgh last month. Early faller over fences there recently, but quickly reverts to hurdles and he's a must for the shortlist.

Form: P/9541F

Duty Calls¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 101

5/1

Dual point winner who opened his account under Rules at the eleventh attempt in 17f handicap hurdle at Carlisle last month. 4 lb rise tolerable and likely to give another good account back up in trip.

Form: F-P7241

Forecasts

Curramore (10/3), Kajaki (9/2), Duty Calls (5/1), Getareason (11/2), Kinondo Kwetu (6/1), Theocrat (10/1), Idilico (12/1), Bak Rocky (18/1), Beach Break (20/1)

The fitting of blinkers has seemingly been the catalyst for KAJAKI's return to form the last twice, and it's unlikely that a 4 lb rise for his Sedgefield success will be enough to prevent him from following up here. Getareason also appeared to benefit from the addition of new headgear when third in a first-time visor over this C&D recently and he is feared, along with Duty Calls and Idilico.