Newcastle 2.45 - Handicap Hurdle - Class 5 - 2 miles 4 and 1/2 furlongs - Good to Soft - 17 run

 

Misty Smarty who has won its last 2 races and who is upped 1/2 mile and a further 3lbs is the clear 3/1 favourite here, the remaining 16 are around 8/1 the field. If you want a win bet on the favourite then 3/1 may be decent value, but I'm after some a bit more speculative to at least 4 places and with proven form at the trip and in the likely sticky conditions.

 

Prince Nino was a distant Sedgefield runner up but beat all bar the 18 length winner but that sort of form can be misleading but a danger for sure. Faha Belle has a sporting each way chance but I'm confident there is better price value elsewhere, of the remainder I have added CALL YOUR BLUFF to the TRACKER, an interesting 5 year old on handicap debut from a Yard to note and one who we'll keep an eye on.

 

I'm most confident about BRIDGETJOANS for whom a drop in trip would seem to be a positive and handles heavy ground too and it will be disappointing if this one is not right in contention. WESTERDALE showed some promise on its seasonal debut fading late on after running prominently for a log way and with that extra bit of fitness in the tank looks one of the more likely to take a hand here at a nice price. Of those at bigger odds, I'm more than intrigued by the Hammond runner, YOU SAY ITS OVER this one has placed three times over longer trips in attritional ground, it will need every yard of this but if they go off too quickly and this one can latch on and stay interested before they turn in to the decently long straight, I can visualise it passing a lot of tiring horses down the straight and possibly nicking some place money at decent odds (North)

 

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Fairyhouse 3.25 Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 4 furlongs - 16 run - Soft

 

Rather unusually I don't feel the need to over-discuss the rivals here as frankly I can't find much to note at all. The pair who do stand out for me both have Course and Distance Form recently enough on this very tight Inner Hurdle course being used today and both can handle soft ground. 

 

I marginally prefer LARIAT, despite being a higher price to REBELLE CHAUD. LARIAT is better known as a soft ground Flat horse but runs well enough over timber and a good Course and Distance runner up effort off the same mark today of 83 suggests at least a repeat of that effort is a probability. REBELLE CHAUD placed 3rd over Course and Distance also off the same mark as today and is the only other one in the field that inspires me with sufficient confidence. (Sean - Placespotter)

 

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