Racecards
13:40 Newcastle
Phoenix Security Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 322-112
- Age 7
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey T J Dreaper
held up in touch, headway 7th, chased winner after 4 out, soon ridden and weakened 3 out
- Form 22-16P2
- Age 7
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer G A Harker
- Jockey A Dempsey
held up, headway 9th, tracked leaders 4 out, ridden to chase winner from 3 out, soon beaten
- Form 1-3
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer R T Phillips
- Jockey Jim Crowley
chased leader, not fluent 1st and 2nd, reminders and lost place 6th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
Bowes Cross
21- Form P0
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey K Mercer
held up in rear, pushed along after 6th, in rear when fell after 7th
- Form 00/95-P6
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer K G Reveley
- Jockey James Reveley
held up towards rear, took closer order and raced wide 2nd, weakened approching 4 out, virtually pulled up before next
- Form 62-8392
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer J I A Charlton
- Jockey G Lee
chased leaders, led 7th, clear from 2 out, easily
Rowan Castle
26- Form 539-F50
- Age 10
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer Sir John Barlow Bt
- Jockey R McGrath
led to 7th, lost place next, pulled up before 3 out
Sports Express
429- Form 4554/22-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P Buchanan
held up towards rear, lost place 6th, pulled up before next
In depth
Verdict
Arnold Layne is just given the nod over King Of Confusion, with Notaproblem also expected to be in the firing line. The selection easily landed a soft ground bumper back in April before showing plenty of promise on his hurdles debut last month. The extra distance today should be ideal and he looks the one to be on. King Of Confusion has been in great heart this season landing back to back victories at Kelso, before finishing an excellent second to Harrycone Lewis. As with the selection there are no ground concerns and he should provide a major threat. Notaproblem bounced back to form at Wetherby last time, chasing home Brandy wine in a handicap. If in the same mood today he should be thereabouts. Rathowen looks the pick of the others, but Arnold Layne is expected to show vast improvement and he gets our vote.
Formwatch
King of Confusion (IRE) 5-4fav (10-11) Held up in touch, headway approaching last, unable to quicken flat, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Harrycone Lewis (10-12) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Notaproblem (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden to challenge last, kept on, 2nd of 12, shd behind Brandy Wine (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 7f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gs in Nov.
Arnold Layne (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Held up rear, headway 7th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 12l behind Vingis Park (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (E) hvy in Dec.
Bowes Cross 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, 15th of 17, well behind Napoleon (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gf in Dec.
Gay Kindersley (IRE) 6-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, mistake 5th, reminders next, never dangerous after, 6th of 7, 48l behind Jimmy Bond (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) sft in Dec.
Rathowen (IRE) 5-2 (10-9) Towards rear, headway halfway to track leaders, went 2nd 3 out, one pace under pressure, 2nd of 9, 5l behind According To John (10-12) at Newcastle 3m nh nov hdl (E) hvy in Dec.
Rowan Castle 150-1 (10-0) Mid-division, lost place after 7th, soon behind, 11th of 15, 46l behind Valley Ride (11-11) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) hvy in Dec.
Sports Express 7-2 (10-12) Led, headed after 2nd, led again 6th, headed 7th, ridden 2 out, led and hit last, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Cha Cha Cha Dancer (10-11) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) sft in Nov '04.