14:15 Newcastle
Thursday 13 February 2025
All13:0513:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:30
Al Dousari Qatar Equine Products UK Novices' Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 5  |  2m 190y  |  Good to Soft (Soft in places)  |  13 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:15Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 20.7s
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Showed plenty of promise in maiden/novice events, notably when fourth of 14 in novice hurdle at Kelso (16.2f, good to soft) 46 days ago, making rapid headway turning for home, paying the price for his exertions late on. Much respected on handicap debut.
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Steadily progressive type who posted best effort of his short career when finishing a well-backed second in a novice hurdle over C&D last month, having been unable to live with the winner's change of gear. Open to further improvement on handicap debut.
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Made an eye-catching start to his handicap career, impressing with the way he travelled through the field over 19.5f (third of 8, Doncaster) outstayed late on. Failed to build on that promise when a major disappointment just over two weeks later. Freshened up and could be a threat if bouncing back.
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Fair maiden on the Flat but unable to land a blow in maiden/novice events in this sphere, finishing well held over 2½ miles on final qualifying run. Drop back in trip and move back into handicap company could see him in a better light.
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Won her first 2 starts over hurdles this season and enhanced reputation when chasing home a well-treated one (Slugger) from the Harry Derham yard back in November. Disappointed up in trip last time when beaten favourite in a 0-120 handicap and remains capable of better back down in class.
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Bred more for the Flat but a good sort physically who looks to have been brought along with handicaps in mind. One to note in the betting making his debut in this sphere,
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Not disgraced in points in spring 2023 and showed promise when supported on handicap debut (third of 5) at Catterick. Failed to back that up when disappointing ninth of 12 at same venue 22 days ago, failing to improve for a step up in trip. Yard in good form and could bounce back down in distance.
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Landed gamble when capitalising on falling mark in a 9-runner handicap hurdle at Sedgefield (19.8f soft) 8 days ago, having dictated matters at the head of affairs in a first-time visor. Races under a penalty in a better race but could still be dangerous if allowed to dominate from the front.
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Seems to have lost his way, well-beaten on final run of last season and failed to be rejuvenated by drop in grade/8-month break when pulled up last month. Cheekpieces tried now but remains opposable.
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Has been in fine fettle since returning this winter, winning a pair of handicaps (one over C&D) and far from disgraced when failing to land a hat-trick when third here (20.3f) last month, moving through the race in a manner suggesting he's still one to be interested in at this level. Player.
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Showed much improved form in first-time cheekpieces on handicap debut, showing plenty of pace and scoring decisively when winning 12-runner handicap hurdle at Ayr (16f, soft, 40/1) 24 days ago. Taking on better horses from a 12 lb higher mark in this contest but remains relatively unexposed.
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Hurdling career has been limited by his tendency to race too keenly, again in evidence when sixth of 12 on handicap debut (Ayr, 16f) last month. Capable of making an impact in this sphere if learning to settle but others have more solid claims in this race.
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Lightly-raced maiden hurdler has been well-backed since being sent handicapping, and nearly justified support when second behind the much-improved Tread Softly Now (2m, soft) 24 days ago. Races from 1 lb out of the handicap but remains of interest at this level.
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Forecasts
Mister Smarty (7/2), Benefit Ben (7/2), Forsa Bay (11/2), Crystal Glance (17/2), Walk In The Valley (11/1), Am Still Here (11/1), Willie Shake Hands (12/1), That One (14/1), Vampire Slayer (14/1), Rob Roy Macgregor (22/1), Moonlight Monarch (25/1), Tread Softly Now (25/1), Mix De Gris (28/1)
Lots of these aren't fully exposed and find themselves racing off a lowly handicap mark that may belie their ability. One such horse is CRYSTAL GLANCE who had looked progressive in this sphere, chasing home a well-treated sort on penultimate run before disappointing when sent off favourite in a stronger race at Aintree on Boxing Day. Down in class and returning from a short break. she can bounce back. Of the host of interesting challengers, last-time winner Benefit Ben and That One appeal most.
- Crystal Glance17/2
- Benefit Ben7/2
- That One14/1
Prize Money
1st: £3,961.002nd: £1,822.003rd: £911.004th: £456.005th: £227.00
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