14:50 Newcastle

Saturday 15 April 2023

All13:0013:3514:1514:5015:2516:0016:40

Acorn Catering Equipment Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 4m 14.96s

Band of Outlaws^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: K Brogan| T: B Haslam| OR: 127

28/1

One-time useful hurdler who has been seen out sparingly in the last couple of years. Well held all 3 starts for current yard so hard to support, even from falling mark.

Form: 23/6-0P7

Word Has It^t³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 123| D

9/2

Dual-hurdle winner who showed no ill-effects from an unsuccessful return to chasing when a fine second to Bubble Dubi at Stratford last month. Same mark and no surprise to see him go well again.

Form: 34-3332

Holmes St Georges⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁵⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 123

11/4

Bumper winner who has displayed improved form switched to handicaps, successful at Musselburgh in November and backed that up with a brace of runner-up efforts. Engaged 5.50 Ballinrobe Friday.

Form: 7-42122

Thereisnodoubt^h,t²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 122| D

7/2

Back to his best when gaining his first success for current connections at Kelso in January. Hasn't done a great deal wrong since and he's versatile regarding trip.

Form: 313424

Fingal's Hill²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P Atkinson| OR: 116| C

7/2

Fair bumper winner who landed a C&D novice on his final start in 2021/22. All the better for reappearance when doubling hurdles tally at Doncaster (did it cosily) and he's not yet exposed.

Form: 9721-81

Onward Route^t¹⁹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 115

11/1

In excellent heart over hurdles this summer, winning 2m novice events at Hexham and Uttoxeter. Bad error prevented further success switched to fences at former track in September but off since reportedly bleeding at Kelso. In very good hands, at least.

Form: F-13137

McGowan's Pass^p²⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 10-8| J: William Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: J Candlish| OR: 105

7/1

Without a victory since early 2020 but evidently retains plenty of enthusiasm aged 12 given he was runner-up from his reduced mark at Wetherby 3 weeks ago. Left on that perch so he's a big player.

Form: 33-6342

Non-Runners

Fostered Phil⁶⁸

Weight: 10-11| Age: 9

T: J Ewart J: Jamie Hamilton

Forecasts

Holmes St Georges (11/4), Fingal's Hill (7/2), Thereisnodoubt (7/2), Word Has It (9/2), McGowan's Pass (7/1), Fostered Phil (10/1), Onward Route (11/1), Band of Outlaws (28/1)

WORD HAS IT got back to his very best when runner-up returned to hurdling at Stratford a month ago and from the same mark, hopes are high that he can go one place better. McGowan's Pass is also well weighted these days and is a threat, with Fingal's Hill another to consider.