Racecards
13:30 Newcastle
Eaga Climate Change Beginners' Chase (Class 4)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Good to Firm, Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £6,500 added
- Form 23136/9
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer Mrs A Duffield
- Jockey K Mercer
tracked leaders, hit 11th, challenged next, led before 4 out, clear when hit last, easily
Hilly Gale
199- Form 2P1-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer H P Hogarth
- Jockey P Kinsella
tracked leaders, led after 8th, jumped right from next, headed 12th, 5 lengths 2nd and outpaced when pulled up after 4 out, dismounted
- Form 098/7UP-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 57
- Trainer Frank Kirby
- Jockey K Johnson
led to 8th, tracked leader, hit 10th, led again 12th, soon headed, 6 lengths down outpaced when left 2nd after next, hit 3 out, lost 2nd next, soon weakened
- Form P-3U140
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer J B Walton
- Jockey R McGrath
raced keenly, held up in rear, outpaced from 9th, left poor 3rd after 4 out, stayed on to go 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
In depth
Verdict
Presumptuous can defy an absence to beat Hilly Gale, with Finland best of the remainder. Presumptuous has been off the track since scoring over hurdles at Sedgefield in April 2006, when he had some higher-rated rivals behind. A nervy sort in the past, he has been given time to come to himself after slight heat in a tendon, and the plan has always been to go novice chasing. Hilly Gale beat Frankie Figg over hurdles at Wetherby in April, and the latter has come out to win both his races this term, so Harry Hogarth's charge has to be greatly respected, but the feeling is that he will be seen to better effect when put back up to three miles. The remaining trio here look decidedly beatable, with Finland the best of them based on earlier efforts over hurdles. If Presumptuous is anywhere near fit though, he should lead them home.
Formwatch
Finland (UAE) 28-1 (11-3) Held up behind, mistake 6th, never dangerous, 9th of 10, well behind Hobbs Hill (11-3) at Hexham 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Hilly Gale 7-1 (11-2) In touch, reminders after 6th, headway 4 out, ridden to challenge next, led 2 out, kept on flat, won at Wetherby 3m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Frankie Figg (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Magic Bengie 40-1 (10-0) Behind, mistake 10th, beaten when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Baligrundle (10-7) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Sticky End 11-1 (11-10) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 17, 25l behind Lazy Lena (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gs in Jun.
Presumptuous 7-4fav (11-3) Mid-division, headway 3 out, driven next, ridden to lead last, stayed on flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Apr '06 beating Pay Attention (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.