16:35 Newcastle

Saturday 24 February 2024

All13:0513:3814:0814:5015:2716:0016:35

Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 4m 29.10s

Into The Sunset⁵⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 96| D

10/1

4/1, didn't need to improve to win 9-runner handicap hurdle at Cartmel (17.2f, good). Off 18 months. Returns on the same mark and looks worthy of consideration.

Form: 5/17351-

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Purple Gown¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: William Maggs⁽³⁾| T: A Nicol| OR: 90

17/2

Fair Flat winner who showed more than on hurdling debut when fourth of 13 in a Catterick maiden on penultimate outing. Failed to progress further on handicap bow at Sedgefield since, though.

Form: 345

I Doubt That³³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Bruce Lynn| T: D Bourke| OR: 90WS

25/1

Fair 2m Flat winner but he hasn't offered much over hurdles and he has an 11-month absence to overcome.

Form: 00/0P-

Silver Vision²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Edward Austin| T: W Coltherd| OR: 87| BF

11/1

Capitalised on a much-reduced mark when a wide-margin winner of 10-runner handicap hurdle at Kelso in January. Possibly found race coming too soon at Sedgefield since, so could get back on track.

Form: P98P15

Raffles Wonder^h,t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Aaron Anderson| T: R Menzies| OR: 86| D

10/3

Fairly useful bumper winner who has proved too free and hasn't made an impact as yet over hurdles. Not one to completely write off.

Form: 15-4006

Chumlee^h⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 81| CD

3/1

Low-mileage 9-y-o who left his qualifying runs well behind when making a successful handicap debut over C&D last March. Might have needed the run at Kelso 10 months later but remains unexposed and worthy of interest.

Form: P/0991-3

This Is Bob²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Charlotte Jones| T: S Corbett| OR: 77

7/1

Little form of worth in maiden/novice hurdles and fared no better switched to handicaps at this course 25 days ago. Others make more appeal.

Form: 7P-558

Mister Smarty⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Alan Doyle| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 75

18/1

Poor form shown in 2 bumpers/over hurdles and is hard to make a case for.

Form: 870-609

Melvich Bay^p1²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Joe Williamson| T: D Brooke| OR: 75

9/2

Poor but fairly consistent hurdler who showed some encouragement on her first go over fences when third at Catterick 22 days ago. Cheekpiecs applied returned to this discipline.

Form: 523F33

Forecasts

Chumlee (3/1), Raffles Wonder (10/3), Melvich Bay (9/2), This Is Bob (7/1), Purple Gown (17/2), Into The Sunset (10/1), Silver Vision (11/1), Mister Smarty (18/1), I Doubt That (25/1)

CHUMLEE was most impressive when making a successful handicap debut here last March and, while his only start since was underwhelming, he could strip fitter for it and this isn't a strong race, so he gets the nod. Into The Sunset is a danger despite the long absence and Melvich Bay warrants consideration.