Racecards
15:30 Newcastle
Saltwell Signs 'national Hunt' Maiden Hurdle (Class 5)
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £3,000 added
Alfabet Souk
20- Form 72
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey D O'Meara
in touch, hit 4th, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened
- Form 09
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey R Garritty
held up, headway 3 out, ridden and effort next, soon weakened
Border Sovereign
406- Form 9-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer J S Haldane
- Jockey N Mulholland
in touch, lost place halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
- Form P86-08
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 77
held up in rear, steady headway after 4 out, kept on, never near leaders
- Form 5F
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey Stephen Craine
raced keenly, with leader, led 4 to 5 out, one pace
Hedchester
20- Form 9-908
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer Mrs A Hamilton
- Jockey B P Harding
towards rear, headway halfway, weakened 3 out
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer I McMath
- Jockey M J McAlister
mid-division, hit 2nd, headway and in touch 4 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on
- Form 13-12
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer K G Reveley
- Jockey D Elsworth
mid-division, not fluent, headway 4 out, kept on from next, never nearer
- Form 8-208P
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
held up, always behind
- Form P37
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer J Ewart
- Jockey T J Dreaper
close up on inside, led 3 out, ridden and stayed on well
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer J R Turner
- Jockey J M Maguire
held up and always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 443-36
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P Buchanan
tracked leaders, every chance 4 out, outpaced from next, soon weakened
- Form 08-86
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J B Walton
- Jockey L McGrath
steady pace 4 out, soon lost place, outpaced from next
In depth
Verdict
Jass,Alfabet Souk and Asrar are three against the field in a competitive finale and the vote is given to Jass. The selection was the best of these in bumpers is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut and under conditions that suit he will be hard to beat. Alfabet Souk rates the main danger on his latest second behind Smart Tom he is another that is sure to know his job on his first run over hurdles but the suspicion is he will be seen to better effect over a longer trip in time. Asrar is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he has had plenty of chances. Of the remainder Cromwell Court is from a yard in form and is worth a cautionary look in the market but for the winner we return to Jass who is taken to win this before going on to better things.
Formwatch
Alfabet Souk 9-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 6f out, one pace, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Smart Tom (11-0) at Haydock 1m 5f nhf (6) hvy in Dec.
Bernix 40-1 (11-4) In touch, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 15, 47l behind Tot O'Whiskey (11-8) at Catterick 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Cromwell Court 14-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, led 4 out, ridden and hung left next, slight lead when fell 2 out in race won by Wizard of Us (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec, 17 ran.
Hedchester 33-1 (10-12) Behind, headway 4 out, never on terms, 8th of 15, 27l behind Pee Jay's Dream (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Jass 7-2 (11-5) Prominent, led 4f out, headed over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 18, 5l behind Schiehallion (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4yo nhf (4) hvy in Nov.
Raining Horse (FR) 4-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden 3 out, soon outpaced, 7th of 12, well behind The Ring (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Rash Promise (IRE) Rashar gelding out of bumper winner Twilight Katie.
Asrar 8-1 (10-5) In touch, weakened 2 out, 6th of 13, 22l behind Open de L'Isle (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.