16:05 Newcastle

Tuesday 26 March 2024

All14:3515:0515:3516:0516:3517:05

quinnbet.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:07 | Winning time: 5m 38.47s

Pay The Piper^t¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 132| C

28/1

Useful winning chaser but he's yet to fire in four runs this term, having his first start over hurdles for 3 years when last of six here last time. Others much preferred.

Form: 58-U3P6

Joker De Mai³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: Harry Derham| OR: 129| BF| D

15/8

Useful chaser in France and also landed 2m3f handicap hurdle at Lingfield for his new yard in December. Twice runner-up since at Exeter and Kempton so he has to enter calculations.

Form: 11-4122

Rich Spirit²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Ross Chapman| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 126

6/1

Fairly useful hurdler who scored at Catterick in December and posted a good second on his handicap debut at Doncaster (19.4) following month. Fell at the first at Kelso last time but can bounce back here.

Form: 33512F

Rafferty's Return^t,v²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: R Menzies| OR: 124| CD

5/1

Scored at Carlisle in February but visored for 1st time when only seventh of 9 in handicap hurdle at Kelso (20.9f, soft) 24 days ago. This C&D winner needs to get back on track.

Form: 534417

Inox Allen^t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 124| D

11/4

£40,00 buy after winning an Irish point and bagged an Hexham maiden and Ayr novice before Christmas. Had a breathing operation and also fitted with a tongue trap ahead of good third of 10 in Prestige Hurdle at Haydock last month. Very much one to consider now handicapping.

Form: 1113

Booster Bob³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 124| BF

5/1

Completed a hat-trick over hurdles in 2m novice at Sandown in December. Well-beaten last of 4 to Rafferty's Return in handicap at Carlisle (19.3f, heavy) 36 days ago though so has a bit to prove now.

Form: 13-1114

Non-Runners

Impulsive One¹⁴³

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: B Ellison J: Henry Brooke

Nab Wood³⁹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: N G Richards J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Joker De Mai (15/8), Inox Allen (11/4), Nab Wood (11/4), Rafferty's Return (5/1), Booster Bob (5/1), Rich Spirit (6/1), Impulsive One (12/1), Pay The Piper (28/1)

A few of these offer potential, not least NAB WOOD who still looks ahead of his mark despite taking an 8 lb rise for his most recent facile Kelso victory. Handicap debutant Inox Allen also has better days ahead of him and could emerge as the main threat to Nicky Richards' hat-trick seeker, although the consistent Joker de Mai can also have a say.