15:00 Newbury

Friday 22 March 2024

All14:0014:3015:0015:3316:0816:4317:20

Bet In-Play On Racing At BetVictor Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 5m 13.48s

Ballybentragh²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 122

6/4

Irish point winner who made a successful start over hurdles at Sandown in January. 5/4, good second of 5 in novice hurdle at this C&D (heavy) 21 days ago so he's well in the mix.

Form: 12-2212

Classic King⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 122

9/2

Made a winning start over hurdles at Wincanton (15.2f) in October and better form when runner-up all three starts since, clear of the rest at Taunton last time. Can go well again.

Form: 42-1222

Risk De Pluie³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Ben Jones| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 117

11/2

Winning Irish pointer who followed suit in 2m3f novice at Fontwell on Rules debut in January. Posted a solid third of 5 in novice at Sandown (16f, soft) 36 days ago. Up in trip and firmly in the picture.

Form: P-07113

The Newest One⁵⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 128

16/5

Fairly useful hurdler who easily got off the mark at Chepstow in December. Very good third of 10 in River Don at Doncaster (24.4f, good) 55 days ago. Leading form claims.

Form: 2D-2173

Huffin An A Puffin

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham

10/1

€40,000 3-y-o, Mount Nelson gelding. Dam unraced half-sister to smart hurdler/very smart chaser (stayed 3m) No More Heroes. Highly respected on his debut.

Form:

Move With The Beat¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle

50/1

Dual point winner who hinted at promise when fourth of 10 on his 19f Taunton hurdle debut in February. Unseated rider 1st at Hereford 13 days ago but he remains with potential.

Form: 12-14U

Village Master⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen| T: W GreatrexWS

40/1

Runner-up in an Irish point and showed promise when fifth in novice at Chepstow (19.4f) on hurdles debut in December. Disappointed at Hereford in January and has since undergone wind surgery. Not written off.

Form: 5257

Dairylane Daisy⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: C Gethings| T: Noel Williams

28/1

Successful on her sole outing in points and made an encouraging start hurdling when sixth in a maiden at Market Rasen (20.6f). Only ninth of 14 in novice hurdle at Wincanton (21.4f) since but can still do better.

Form: 1-69

Forecasts

Ballybentragh (6/4), The Newest One (16/5), Classic King (9/2), Risk De Pluie (11/2), Huffin An A Puffin (10/1), Dairylane Daisy (28/1), Village Master (40/1), Move With The Beat (50/1)

THE NEWEST ONE holds a clear edge on form and with his sights lowered after a very good third in Doncaster's River Don Hurdle he is fancied to resume winning ways. Classic King should ensure Nigel Twiston-Davies' fairly useful sort doesn't have things all his own way though, with in-form pair Ballybentragh and Risk de Pluie both also worthy of consideration.