14:10 Newton Abbot

Monday 31 July 2023

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:00

Racing Partnership Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 5m 14.39s

Donnie Azoff^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 109

5/1

Fair winning hurdler (at 16.5f) last term who hasn't looked as convincing over fences to date, bad mistake 3 out and no threat thereafter when last of 3 at Uttoxeter (20f) 3 weeks ago. No surprise to see a better showing returned to timber.

Form: 21-6223

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Songo^h³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Cobden| T: M F Harris| OR: 107| CD

8/11

Developed into a fairly useful performer on the Flat last year, winning three times. Back over hurdles, scored with plenty in hand in a C&D novice 5 weeks ago. Will need to brush up his jumping but big player once more if doing so.

Form: 49U4/1

Our Brother John²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: David Bass| T: Mrs L Hill

11/1

Winning pointer who is bred to stay well and shaped in kind when third of 11 in novice hurdle at Worcester (20f) 3 weeks ago. Feasible to think he can build on that but likely type for later on.

Form: 3PP/13-3

Premiumaccess^t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 116

20/1

Sole success to date came over fences back in 2020 and largely been struggling in that sphere in recent months. Switch back to hurdling needs to have positive effect now.

Form: 63P4-44

Spitalfield⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill

5/1

Fair in bumpers (placed final 3 starts in that sphere) but made a discouraging start over hurdles when unseating fifth at Fontwell (21.7f) in May, jumping none too fluently. This ought to reveal more.

Form: 5222-U

Blackacre⁹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

16/1

Black Sam Bellamy gelding. Aided by a good position but still showed ability when third on debut in an 11-runner Ludlow bumper in April. Acquired by new yard for £17,000 in May and interesting to see where he figures in the market now sent hurdling.

Form: 3-

Non-Runners

Thrifty Scot¹⁴

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: P Hobbs & J White J: M G Nolan

Izzy's Grey

Weight: 10-11| Age: 4

T: J Candlish J: C Gethings

Forecasts

Songo (8/11), Donnie Azoff (5/1), Spitalfield (5/1), Our Brother John (11/1), Blackacre (16/1), Premiumaccess (20/1), Thrifty Scot (20/1), Izzy's Grey (20/1)

Despite some hit-and-miss jumping, SONGO still proved a class apart when opening his account in this sphere in a C&D novice 5 weeks ago and, in the hope he's sharper in that department, a bold showing could be on the cards again under a penalty. Donnie Azoff, returned to timber, may emerge as the lead threat, with Spitalfield and Blackacre another couple to note.