14:25 Newcastle

Monday 3 March 2025

All13:5014:2514:5515:2516:0016:3017:00

Michael Knox Memorial Equine Products Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 14:28 | Winning time: 5m 2.3s

Lathan^t⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 95| CD

6/1

Won a modest C&D maiden in November and would have bettered that form (looked set for second) but for falling 2 out at Wetherby just 24 hours later. Seemed amiss when pulled up on handicap debut but has an each-way squeak if back on song.

Form: 631FP

Looking Splendid¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Bruce Lynn| T: Gary Rutherford| OR: 93| BF

11/4

Has shown enough in handicap runs to suggest he is fairly handicapped off this mark, continuing in good heart latest when third of 10 in handicap hurdle at Musselburgh (19.8f, good to soft) 15 days ago, having been given plenty of ground to make up. One for the shortlist.

Form: P42563

On The Go⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Lily Pinchin| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 91

8/1

Hasn't progressed from minor promise shown on hurdles debut, although has likely been campaigned with handicaps in mind. One to note in the betting now stepping up in trip on handicap debut.

Form: F68

Devon Skies²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 89

10/1

Showed some respectable form in maidens but disappointed on final start in novice company and regressed on first run in a handicap when pulled up at Sedgefield (19.9f) last month. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 04234P

Rock N Roll Champ²⁸¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 87

16/1

Maiden in Irish points and showed limited ability on final run in novice company. Step up in trip can only help and one to monitor in the betting on handicap debut/reappearance.

Form: 3P66-86

Silverbridge^b1¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 86

12/1

Yet to match the form of handicap debut at Bangor in April (third of 10) and has failed to beat a rival on his last two starts (wore cheekpieces), although his latest effort did come on the back of an 8-month absence. Blinkers on first-time and he's fairly treated if they can spark a revival.

Form: 433-68P

Leader Wing^b¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Coltherd| T: G Boanas| OR: 84

10/1

Fair bumper winner for Tom Weston but yet to match that form in this sphere, continuing to underachieve despite being tried in various headgear (blinkers retained on this occasion). Best to look elsewhere.

Form: 6558P6

Dartie Bay³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Danny McMenamin| T: C Grant| OR: 79

14/1

Has offered little in bumpers/novice hurdles. Difficult to fancy on handicap hurdle debut.

Form: 97P57

Lady's Present^h³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: B S Hughes| T: P A Kirby| OR: 76

7/2

Shaped better than the beaten distance when second of 7 in handicap hurdle at Fakenham (23.4f) in January, made a fast-forward move on final circuit and paid the price for those efforts late on. Stamina stretched on more testing ground over 3 miles last time and looks interesting back down in trip.

Form: 03/P426

Goodoldbill³⁰³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Ross Chapman| T: Mrs J Walton| OR: 74| C

40/1

Struggled over hurdles but got off the mark over fences at this venue in November in 2023. Not in same form since, pulling up when last seen in May 2024. Returns to smaller obstacles for reappearance. Others have stronger claims.

Form: 6/P14P-P

Just Winging It²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Ben Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 73

40/1

Well-held in a bumper and three qualifying runs. Races from 1 lb out of the handicap on his first start in handicap company. Best to look elsewhere.

Form: 6080

Luminaries^p,t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 68

20/1

Has failed to build on promise of stable debut at Kelso in October, again down the field at Musselburgh last month. Races from 6 lb out of the handicap. Difficult to recommend on recent evidence.

Form: P-69787

Non-Runners

Gone With The Tide¹⁵

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: Mrs A C Hamilton J: Jamie Hamilton

Forecasts

Looking Splendid (11/4), Lady's Present (7/2), Lathan (6/1), On The Go (8/1), Leader Wing (10/1), Devon Skies (10/1), Gone With The Tide (10/1), Silverbridge (12/1), Dartie Bay (14/1), Rock N Roll Champ (16/1), Luminaries (20/1), Just Winging It (40/1), Goodoldbill (40/1)

LADY'S PRESENT is fairly lightly raced for her age and has proven that she can be competitive from a lowly handicap mark. She won't need to improve to win this modest event and makes appeal with Brian Hughes taking over in the saddle for the first time. Looking Splendid is a standout danger having posted a couple of solid efforts at Musselburgh this winter, while Silverbridge is well-treated if first-time blinkers can awaken him from his recent slumber.