16:25 Newcastle

Tuesday 7 March 2023

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Vickers.Bet And LHS Champion Racing Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 98

Showed ability in maiden/novices and posted creditable fourth of 9 on handicap debut at Wetherby (24.1f, soft) 52 days ago. Entitled to build on that.

Form: 21-6454

Rockonsoph^h⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 97

Winner of Irish point last November and shaped well when in the frame in novice hurdles at Hexham and Kelso. However, disappointed on handicap debut last time and bit to prove now.

Form: 1-349

Zwicky³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 95

Found improvement when winning 7-runner handicap hurdle at Sedgefield (21.2f, soft) 37 days ago. 4 lb rise fair and another bold bid expected.

Form: 054-P51

Enemy At The Gate^t1³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Henry Brooke| T: D W Whillans| OR: 94

Yet to score after 6 attempts and well held on Ayr handicap debut last month. Tongue strap on first time.

Form: 35/78-78

Agilulf³²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: A Nicol| OR: 102

Fared better than of late when fourth of 8 in novice hurdle at Catterick (19.3f, good) last month but more required to defy current mark back handicapping.

Form: 3354

Astroman²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁵⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 90

Respectable fourth of 15 in handicap hurdle at Wetherby (19.7f, good) latest and dropped 2 lb since. Others preferred for win purposes, though.

Form: 534484

How Much¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr William Easterby⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 86

Lightly-raced maiden who has yet to trouble the judge in a couple of handicap starts. Readily opposed.

Form: 0P4P9

Out For The Count³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 85

Soundly beaten in 2 Irish bumpers for Philip Fenton and yet to make an impact for current yard.

Form: 709600

Having A Barney^t⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 80

Posted best effort over hurdles when third of 16 in handicap at Wetherby (19.7f, soft) 40 days ago. Races off same mark and merits consideration.

Form: 456P53

Is So Cute Dimaria^p,t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: T D Easterby| OR: 75

Lightly-raced maiden. Showed a bit more than previously when fifth of 15 in handicap hurdle (50/1) at Wetherby (19.7f, good) 20 days ago. Claims if building on that.

Form: 7-06775

Serious Mickey⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 72WS

Took 5 attempts to get off the mark in Irish points and hasn't offered a great deal in 3 hurdling outings to date. At least begins handicapping career off basement mark. Had wind operation.

Form: P61-899

Forecasts

Zwicky (11/4), Having A Barney (4/1), Hattons Gardens (9/2), Agilulf (8/1), Astroman (10/1), Serious Mickey (10/1), Is So Cute Dimaria (10/1), Enemy At The Gate (20/1), How Much (20/1), Out For The Count (20/1), Rockonsoph (20/1)

Preference is for HAVING A BARNEY, who shaped quite well at Wetherby last time and remains relatively low mileage. Zwicky and Hattons Gardens rate the principal dangers.