14:50 Newcastle

Thursday 14 December 2023

All11:5512:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:25

Living North E-Letter Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 4m 26.21s

Bridget Breeze³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Tom Midgley⁽³⁾| T: G Boanas| OR: 98| BF

17/2

Made a successful start in a Kelso bumper last season and showed modest form when placed both starts over hurdles last season. Disappointing when pulled up on handicap debut last time, though, and now drops to 2m for first time over obstacles.

Form: 12732-P

Ballyquin Bay^p³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 95

7/1

Fair maiden hurdler for Gordon Elliott and produced best effort since joining this yard when fourth in Kelso handicap last month. Well treated if he can build on that.

Form: 344484

Edgar Allan Poe³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Ross Chapman| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 93

18/1

Seven-time winner on the Flat who got off the mark in this sphere in 2m handicap at Catterick in January. Bled on return at Sedgefield last month, though, and he has a bit to prove on the back of that.

Form: 13738-P

Ingennio^p,t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Lee Edwards| T: R Hobson| OR: 92

4/1

Runner-up in handicaps at Huntingdon and Taunton earlier this year but has shaped as if in decent heart on both outings since summer break, including when third of 7 at Uttoxeter (19.9f, heavy) 18 days ago. Mark has been nudged down and he's not discounted.

Form: 228-543

Barranco⁵⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny McMenamin| T: H Hogarth| OR: 91

50/1

Bumper winner for Stuart Crawford but finished down the field on yard debut at Market Rasen and is best watched after 18 months off.

Form: 8100/45-

Hashtag Lord³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 89| BF

3/1

Placed 3 times over hurdles last winter and ran respectably after a breathing operation when fourth of 8 at Musselburgh (15.8f, good to soft, 4/1) on chase debut 36 days ago. Place claims from reduced mark.

Form: 23384-4

For Three^p,t¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 88| BF

3/1

Attracted plenty of support and shaped well when runner-up at Sedgefield on first start for this yard in November. Far too keen for his own good there last time but looks worth another chance.

Form: 3-70524

A Cheap Thrill^p,t³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 84

33/1

Fair hurdler/chaser for Emmet Mullins who hasn't fired as yet for current stable.

Form: 4F4UPP

Belle Na Bann^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 77| D

11/2

Dual winner for Neil Mulholland in summer 2022 and made the frame on her first 3 outings current yard early in the year. Not disgraced when fifth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Sedgefield (16.8f, soft) 35 days ago but probably needs a couple of these to falter.

Form: 22P-695

Forecasts

For Three (3/1), Hashtag Lord (3/1), Ingennio (4/1), Belle Na Bann (11/2), Ballyquin Bay (7/1), Bridget Breeze (17/2), Edgar Allan Poe (18/1), A Cheap Thrill (33/1), Barranco (50/1)

FOR THREE was keener than ideal at Sedgefield last time but is given another chance to build on the form of an encouraging stable debut in a race which looks as if it should be run to suit. Ingennio has slipped to a handy mark and has shaped as if in decent heart on his recent outings, so heads the list of dangers alongside Ballyquin Bay.