14:15 Newcastle

Saturday 6 January 2024

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

QuinnBet Best Odds Guaranteed Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 19.8s

Handstands²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| D

2/7

Won sole start in Irish points and made an impressive hurdling debut when landing a novice at Hereford 3 weeks ago. Should follow up.

Form: 11

Boolamore Classic⁹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N W Alexander

11/1

Half-brother to useful staying hurdle winner Big Shark,. Runner-up on completed start in Irish points (Oct 1). Respected on Rules debut.

Form: P-2

Bowler Jack²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson

80/1

Yet to offer any encouragement and looks set for another struggle.

Form: 9-70

Great Warford²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish

200/1

Little show both runs over hurdles, pulled up in novice at Southwell (15.8f, soft) 20 days ago. Others appeal more.

Form: 86P

Hubbel Bubbel³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby

33/1

Showed a bit on first of 2 starts in bumpers but shaped with a little more encouragement both hurdling outings. This demands a chunk of improvement, though.

Form: 69-53

Kinder Kid²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss T Jackson

100/1

Third in a point but didn't offer much in a novice hurdle at this course on Rules debut. Hard to make a case for.

Form: 3/6

Mayheblucky⁷⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: Billy Aprahamian

20/1

Made the frame on all 3 starts in Irish points but the latest of them was in December 2021 so he's presumably had a few issues. Betting the best guide to expectations now hurdling.

Form: 434/

Raffles Wonder^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies

16/1

Bumper winner who has been well held both starts over hurdles and looks more of a handicap type.

Form: F415-40

Rock Steady Eddie⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Coltherd| T: S Corbett

25/1

Placed in a couple of points and third in a bumper at Hexham 84 days ago. Longer trip should suit, so he's not completely dismissed.

Form: 373-3

Taras Halls¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

8/1

Bumper winner for Lucy Wadham who was backed as though expected to go close when falling third in a novice at Wetherby on hurdling debut. Poor effort at Market Rasen since, though.

Form: 120-F7

Forecasts

Handstands (2/7), Taras Halls (8/1), Boolamore Classic (11/1), Raffles Wonder (16/1), Mayheblucky (20/1), Rock Steady Eddie (25/1), Hubbel Bubbel (33/1), Bowler Jack (80/1), Kinder Kid (100/1), Great Warford (200/1)

HANDSTANDS is unbeaten in a point and a novice hurdle at Hereford and he should be capable of defying a penalty. Boolamore Classic and Mayheblucky have both shown ability between the flags, so they're the most feasible dangers.