Racecards
15:05 Newcastle
Thompkins & Thompkins Novices' Hurdle (Class E)
- 19 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
- Form 31
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey G Lee
mid-division, headway 5th, mistake 8th, soon led, driven clear when blundered last, stayed on
Sands Rising
56- Form 34-2105
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
towards rear, headway on outside approaching 7th, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten
- Form 30/U0
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer Miss V Scott
- Jockey B P Harding
lost place 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
- Form 06
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey D McGann
chased leaders until ridden and weakened 4 out
Count Fosco
34- Form 5
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer T Fitzgerald
- Jockey Mr R M P McNally
keen, chased leaders, lost place 8th, soon behind
- Form 43-0
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer B Ellison
- Jockey R Garritty
behind, pushed along 7th, mistake next, never nearer
Gunner Royal
87- Form 50
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer J Wade
- Jockey Mr L Bates
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey J P McNamara
held up towards rear, headway 7th, chased leaders 3 out, ridden and kept on one pace from next
Jballingall
19- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
chased leaders, lost place 8th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Litzinsky
21- Form 6
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer C Booth
- Jockey C McCormack
led, headed after 8th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
- Form 040-F0
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer R Nixon
- Jockey N Mulholland
never better than mid-division
Roman Ark
98- Form 1/3
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer J Jefferson
- Jockey V T Keane
mid-division, headway 7th, chased winner 3 out, ridden next, hit last, kept on one pace
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer R Phillips
- Jockey W Marston
mid-division, some headway under pressure approaching 3 out, never on terms
Very Tasty (IRE)
651- Form 0U/P-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer Mrs Dianne Sayer
- Jockey N Hannity
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
- Form 400-000
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
tracked leader, lost place 7th weakened 3 out
- Form P040
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
chased leaders to 7th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up before last
In depth
Verdict
A field large in numbers but low in quality and on closer inspection not many can be given a serious chance of winning but the principals look to be Kasthari, Roman Ark, Litzinsky and Abzuson and the vote goes to Kasthari. The selection won well last time out when defeating Abzuson by nine lengths. That rival is seven pounds better off here but Kasthari won with a shade in hand and he is taken to defy his penalty. Roman Ark rates the main danger on his latest third behind Great As Gold but that was over a longer distance and he is not sure to be suited by the drop in trip. Litzinsky is also worthy of respect but he was behind the selection last time and will need to improve to gain his revenge. Sands Rising would have a chance on his best form but that has come with more cut in the ground. Of the remainder Harpoon Harry is a well bred sort from a top yard and is worth noting in the market but for the winner we return to Kasthari.