15:25 Newcastle

Saturday 6 January 2024

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

quinnbet.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 5m 31.8s

Tommy Johnson¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 105

7/2

Bred to stay well and has shown some promise in this sphere, fifth of 12 in novice hurdle at Catterick (19.3f, good to soft) 18 days ago. Can do better now handicapping. In the mix.

Form: 2P5

Not Staying Long²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: R M Smith| OR: 103

33/1

Won 3-runner novice hurdle at Catterick (25.3f) in February on final run for Patrick Neville. Off 10 months before pulled up in handicap hurdle (66/1) at Doncaster (24.4f, good to soft) 21 days ago. Something to prove for new yard.

Form: 46/581-P

Wild Polly²⁵³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: C P O'Shea⁽⁷⁾| T: R Dobbin| OR: 103| D

12/1

Well held when brought down 4 out in handicap chase at Perth (23.8f) 8 months ago. Returns over hurdles with others preferred.

Form: 23/64PB-

Yealand²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 96

15/8

Has been brought along steadily, fourth of 10 in novice hurdle at Bangor (16.7f, heavy) 22 days ago. Back up in trip for his handicap debut and expected to be bang there off an attractive opening mark.

Form: 2-54

Scalloway Bay^t1²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Henry Brooke| T: N W Alexander| OR: 93

22/1

Well held in bumper/completed start over hurdles. Needs to step forward in first-time tongue tie now handicapping.

Form: 98/U0

Donso Star¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Ben Smith⁽¹⁰⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 92

11/1

Maiden hurdler who came in ninth of 11 in handicap at Musselburgh (15.6f, soft) 19 days ago. Significantly up in trip with work to do.

Form: 6U35-69

Robert d'Ores^t²²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Jonathon Bewley| T: G Bewley| OR: 80

4/1

Offered little in a handful of runs over hurdles but made much more of an impact in two runs over fences, clear when unseated rider 2 out in 3m Hexham handicap chase in May. Should have more to offer back in this sphere if fully tuned up for his return.

Form: 1798-2U

Mister Smarty⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 79

25/1

Poor form shown in 2 bumpers and a trio of novice hurdles. Needs to take a big step forward now going into handicaps.

Form: 870-60

Glory Hights⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: C Grant| OR: 79

13/2

Little impact in a bumper/trio of novice hurdles. Goes into handicaps with lots more required.

Form: 865-5

Non-Runners

Amber Gold⁴³⁵

Weight: 10-7| Age: 7

T: M Walford J: Callum Bewley

Forecasts

Yealand (15/8), Tommy Johnson (7/2), Robert d'Ores (4/1), Glory Hights (13/2), Amber Gold (10/1), Donso Star (11/1), Wild Polly (12/1), Scalloway Bay (22/1), Mister Smarty (25/1), Not Staying Long (33/1)

YEALAND looks to have got in lightly for his handicap bow so Jennie Candlish's lightly-raced 5-y-o gets the vote in a handicap where plenty arrive with a question mark against them. Tommy Johnson also goes into handicaps with more to offer so rates the main threat, while Robert d'Ores can't be discounted if on song for his seasonal return.