16:20 Newcastle

Tuesday 5 March 2024

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:50

Get The Inside Track With raceday-ready.com Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: J J Burke| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 100

Probably produced just about his best effort yet when third in a 9-runner Lingfield maiden (19.5f, heavy) 12 days ago. May well do better now pitched into a handicap but improvement certainly is needed.

Form: F9/F-293

Askmore⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 100

Successful in points and fair second on hurdles debut at Carlisle (19.3f, heavy) in December. Below par in 2 outings over 2m since but could resume his progression now stepping back up in trip for this handicap debut.

Form: P1-6289

Didnt Ask²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁵⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 95

Won the first of his 2 starts in points but hasn't cut a great deal of ice in 3 starts over hurdles, left in a remote second at the last when runner-up at Ayr (19.5f, heavy) 3 weeks ago. Sizeable step forward needed now venturing into handicap territory.

Form: 1/50-F2

Scalloway Bay^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 91

Better efforts switched to handicaps here the last twice, latterly coming home in fourth in an 11-runner contest upped to 2¾m. This drop back in trip shouldn't be an issue and he's one to consider in an open-looking race.

Form: 98/U034

Ballyquin Bay^p⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 91| BF

Fair maiden hurdler for Gordon Elliott and has made the frame on each of his last 3 starts, including when third over 17f here on penultimate appearance. Hard to be sure what his optimum trip and record stands at 0-15 over hurdles but he's a player nonetheless.

Form: 448434

Knacker Trapper⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: A Crook| OR: 90

Modest in bumpers and similar standard in this sphere to date, failing to improve for the switch to handicap company when beaten a long way upped to 3m at Wetherby last time.

Form: 44-8850

Line In The Sand⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Jonathon Bewley| T: G Bewley| OR: 89WS

Left previous Rules form well behind when hitting the crossbar on handicap debut at Sedgefield (21.2f, soft) in November. Has failed by some way to reproduce that level of form in 2 subsequent starts and needs to get back on track following a wind op.

Form: 679247

Greenhill Gardens⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 87

Showed a bit in 2 bumpers and both completed outings in novice hurdles. However, handed a stiff enough opening mark and was ultimately well held in fourth on handicap debut over this C&D in December.

Form: 735-F54

Glory Hights³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny McMenamin| T: C Grant| OR: 84

Upped his game switched to handicap company here in January, going close over this C&D prior to finishing a decent third tried over 2¾m next time (re-opposing Scalloway Bay 10 lengths back in fourth). Dropping back in trip looks a good move and he's a key player.

Form: 865-523

Non-Runners

All Ways And Ever¹⁶

Weight: 11-9| Age: 5

T: V Thompson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Glory Hights (10/3), Greenhill Gardens (4/1), Didnt Ask (13/2), Ballyquin Bay (13/2), Scalloway Bay (15/2), Askmore (15/2), Ballyvaughan Bay (9/1), Knacker Trapper (14/1), Line In The Sand (18/1), All Ways And Ever (33/1)

The vote goes to GLORY HIGHTS, who has acquitted himself well in handicaps here the last twice and this represents a good opportunity for the 8-y-o to get his head in front. Scalloway Bay was behind the selection on both occasions and there's no real reason to believe that he will turn the tables this time. Still, he is second choice ahead of Askmore.