Racecards
13:50 Newcastle
Bet365 Call 08000 322 365 Novices' Chase (Class C)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Heavy, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 3F1043
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 96
- Trainer Miss S E Forster
- Jockey Mr C Storey
raced keen, led, headed approaching 5 out, weakening when mistake 3 out
- Form P/0P-P50
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
behind, tailed off from halfway
- Form 6444-44
- Age 9
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer Miss Tracy Waggott
- Jockey A C Coyle
towards rear, pushed along 5 out, disputing 4th, outpaced when mistake, unseated rider 4 out
- Form 42145-4
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P Buchanan
chased leaders, pushed along 5 out, outpaced when left 3rd 2 out
- Form 101/24-3
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey B P Harding
in touch, effort after 5 out, 10 lengths down in 3rd and no impression when fell 2 out
- Form 411-124
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer J M Jefferson
- Jockey G Lee
held up, in touch, headway 4th, led approaching 5 out, not fluent next, mistake last, kept on
- Form 1108/7-6
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer H P Hogarth
- Jockey D O'Meara
close up, effort 3 out, every chance flat, kept on
In depth
Verdict
Moonlit Harbour could be one to follow and is the pick over Portavadie and Tusk, with Prince Adjal also worth a look. Moonlit Harbour was asked a big question on his return to action here after a year off, having to try and topple the odds-on Wild Cane Ridge. As expected, he was not up to the task, but only weakened before two out, and this shorter trip will not tax his stamina as much in the heavy ground. Thought highly enough of to contest a Grade 3 hurdle race at Sandown in March 2004, he has the scope to make up into a nice chaser and will be fancied here. Portavadie's dam was a winning stayer over jumps, and she was also responsible for Stamparland Hill, so hopes are high that Malcolm Jefferson's six-year-old will pay to follow himself over fences. He is best watched today, along with Tusk who would have needed his first run for his new stable at Newbury. Granted that was against much better company, but the former Henrietta Knight inmate will need to improve again to figure. Prince Adjal made all at Market Rasen in August and more recently had a spin over hurdles at Kelso, finishing third. He has to shoulder a penalty, but could be the one to give Moonlit Harbour most to do.
Formwatch
Prince Adjal (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) Led, headed last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Red Man (10-9) at Kelso 2m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Nov.
Derainey (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 1st, remained prominent until weakened quickly after 4th, 15th of 16, well behind Rasharrow (10-12) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Ipledgeallegiance (USA) 8-1 (11-11) Held up, headway after 3 out, kept on, never troubled leaders, 4th of 14, 13l behind Slalom (11-2) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Aug.
Master Sebastian 11-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, driven and outpaced when hit 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, 4th of 6, 28l behind Parisienne Gale (11-4) at Carlisle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) hvy in Oct.
Moonlit Harbour 11-2 (11-6) Held up, in touch, headway to chase winner 5 out until no extra approaching 2 out, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Wild Cane Ridge (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (E) gs in Nov.
Portavadie 14-1 (11-9) Keen hold, settled in mid-division, headway to track leaders frorm 3rd, weakened soon after 2 out, 4th of 13, 12l behind Itsmyboy (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (B) gd in Oct.
Tusk 20-1 (11-5) Always behind, struggling when blundered 4 out, 6th of 8, 30l behind Cornish Sett (11-5) at Newbury 2m 1f beg chs (D) gd in Nov.