Racecards
15:20 Newcastle
John Laing Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- £4,000 added
- Form 81-2040
- Age 11
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey James Reveley
always towards rear
- Form 125-75P
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer J Ewart
- Jockey Mr H Haynes
tracked leaders, one pace from 2 out
- Form 0-6433
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer Micky Hammond
- Jockey M Mcavoy
held up, ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on from last
- Form 221
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer P C Haslam
- Jockey F Keniry
tracked leader, led 4 out, blundered 2 out, soon headed, kept on, run-in
- Form 313347
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey C J Callow
held up, in 7th when fell 4 out
- Form 1F/6
- Age 8
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer I McMath
- Jockey M J McAlister
held up behind when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 120-679
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey Mr T Greenall
always behind
- Form 0-80767
- Age 5
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer Paul Murphy
- Jockey K Mercer
led to 4 out, one pace
Macchiato
19- Form 247704
- Age 7
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer R E Barr
- Jockey Paul Benson
mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, one pace
- Form PF/66-58
- Age 10
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey B P Harding
tracked leaders, led after 2 out, soon hung left, driven out
- Form 28-P600
- Age 8
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer W Amos
- Jockey B S Hughes
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, one pace
- Form 339P-P9
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer J Wade
- Jockey P Buchanan
held up, weakened 4th
- Form 607-9P2
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 82
- Trainer G A Harker
- Jockey R McGrath
mid-division, one pace from 3 out
In depth
Verdict
John Dillon makes plenty of appeal here with Chigorin and Terenzium prominent amongst the alternatives. The selection made an excellent start to his hurdling career when running Mr Crystal close at Kelso in October and built on that form when filling the same position behind Smugglers Bay at Aintree. The fitting of blinkers worked the oracle and he ran out a ready winner on his third and latest start. He's been given plenty of time, isn't overburdened for his handicap bow and this appears to be an excellent opportunity. Chigorin shaped well on debut for a new yard last month and merits serious consideration despite being just out of the weights. The primary concern is his ability to act on the ground as the best of his form has been with cut but he rates a danger. Terenzium has no such concerns and has been progressing steadily but the handicapper hasn't taken any chances in raising him 5lbs for his Wetherby third and he looks to have enough on his plate. We think John Dillon is the one to be on here.
Formwatch
Prince Among Men 33-1 (10-12) Always behind, 11th of 12, 19l behind Kristiansand (10-5) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Sept.
Solitary Palm (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Towards rear, reminders halfway, lost touch 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Bywell Beau (11-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan, 11 ran.
Terenzium (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, effort next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 7l behind Slavonic Lake (10-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
John Dillon (IRE) 4-7fav (10-12) Made all, hard pressed last, ridden and kept on flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Nov beating Strobe (10-12) by 3l, 6 ran.
Le Rouge Fatal (FR) 5-1 (10-6) Held up, chased leaders approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 24l behind Inch High (10-10) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Zanjeer 25-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 7, well behind Tiger King (10-6) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Aug.
Bright Sparky (GER) 16-1 (10-10) Held up behind, pushed along 4 out, never dangerous, 9th of 10, 37l behind Lambrini Legend (11-0) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Film Festival (USA) 50-1 (10-1) Held up, ridden and no impression when hampered 2 out, 7th of 9, 12l behind Halla San (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Macchiato 33-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, outpaced approaching 2 out, rallied flat, kept on, 4th of 10, 8l behind Lambrini Legend (11-0) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Longdale 33-1 (11-6) Mid-division, weakened from 4 out, 8th of 16, 27l behind Polly Whitefoot (10-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
Make A Mark (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, 10th of 16, 25l behind Nortonthorpe Lad (10-10) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Feb.
Red Cedar (USA) 50-1 (11-4) Always behind, 9th of 14, 47l behind Pagan Rules (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Chigorin 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, led after next, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Sheikhman (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Feb.