16:00 Newcastle

Thursday 15 February 2024

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:35

Download The QuinnBet App Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 4m 41.32s

Classic Maestro¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Luke Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: J Candlish| OR: 111

13/8

Having finished runner-up on his previous 3 starts, took a step forward when getting off the mark in handicap at Uttoxeter (2m) 19 days ago. Coped well with the drop back in trip last time and he can be thereabouts once more.

Form: 3-42221

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Hartur D'oudairies¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: B Ellison| OR: 111

28/1

Fairly useful hurdler for Dan Skelton but left that yard after running poorly on his seasonal/chase debut in November. Pulled up back hurdling at Sedgefield next time (only run for Ben Haslam) and down the field on stable debut 12 days ago. Enough to prove at present.

Form: 225-0P0

Letthedustsettle¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Cameron Iles⁽⁷⁾| T: T Lacey| OR: 111

7/2

Winning pointer who came good over hurdles at the fifth attempt at Catterick (2m) last month. Easily defied a penalty back at the same C&D under this rider since and, with further improvement to come, he can go on to land the hat-trick.

Form: 630011

Mack The Man^p⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr Kit Alexander⁽⁵⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 105| D

18/1

Four-time winner over hurdles but mixed form in 4 starts last season. After 9 months off, looked rusty on first run since leaving Evan Williams when mid-field at Ayr in December, before finishing well held upped in trip at Kelso 18 days later. Lurks on a dangerous mark.

Form: 5453-67

Beat Box^p⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 101| C

10/1

After 8 months off, returned to his best when runner-up in handicap hurdle at Hexham in November. Ran to a similar level when third at Wetherby on Boxing Day, though raced lazily. Still remains 2 lb above his last winning mark but did score on his only previous go over C&D.

Form: 1274-23

V Twelve⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Callum Bewley| T: M Todhunter| OR: 100

25/1

Fairly useful 10f winner on the Flat for Ed Walker and, making his handicap hurdle debut, ran his best race in this sphere when runner-up at Carlisle (17.2f) in November. Disappointing at Wetherby next time, but it still remains early days for him over hurdles.

Form: U2-525

Batman For Ever^t⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 97

9/4

Fair winning hurdler/chaser at up to 2½m in France in 2021 but didn't offer much for Rebecca Menzies last season. With tongue strap reapplied, fared little better when well held in handicap hurdle at this C&D in December and has switched yards since.

Form: 8P6P9-6

Monty Nevett⁹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Henry Brooke| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 97

33/1

Little impact in bumpers but showed more on his second start over hurdles when a close third in novice at this C&D in May, albeit in a steadily-run race. Down the field both starts since, so others preferred as he makes first run for yard after leaving Jedd O'Keeffe.

Form: 687-390

Polisud^t1³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 94| DWS

20/1

One-time fairly useful chase/hurdle winner in France but well below that level over hurdles for his current trainer, left behind in the straight when sixth of 7 in handicap at Catterick last month. Has had a wind op since.

Form: 6P-PP56

Non-Runners

Two Auld Pals⁴⁰

Weight: 11-11| Age: 6

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: P W Wadge

Sil Ver Klass⁶¹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 10

T: R M Smith J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Classic Maestro (13/8), Batman For Ever (9/4), Letthedustsettle (7/2), Two Auld Pals (5/1), Beat Box (10/1), Mack The Man (18/1), Polisud (20/1), V Twelve (25/1), Hartur D'oudairies (28/1), Monty Nevett (33/1), Sil Ver Klass (33/1)

LETTHEDUSTSETTLE has been getting the hang of things over hurdles, making it back-to-back wins with a comfortable success at Catterick 13 days ago, and he can score again with more still to offer. Two Auld Pals also remains capable of better in this sphere as he goes handicapping, while Classic Maestro resumed his progress last time and isn't taken lightly.