Racecards
14:50 Newcastle
Betfred NSPCC Tipping Challenge Northumberland H'cap Chase (Class D )
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Good
- Form 5-4P145
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 124
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey K Mercer
held up in rear, headway and in touch when blundered 9th, not recover
The Nomad
14- Form 112-431
- Age 8
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey Mr T Greenall
led, headed 7th, remained prominent, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened next
- Form 161-21F
- Age 8
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey G Carenza
tracked leader, led 7th to 8th, ridden and every chance approaching 4 out, no extra from 2 out
- Form 630-545
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer P Monteith
- Jockey P Robson
towards rear, never dangerous
- Form 4522-61
- Age 9
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer P Monteith
- Jockey A Dobbin
in touch, headway 5th, effort 4 out, one pace from 2 out
- Form 011-024
- Age 7
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer Frank Kirby
- Jockey K Johnson
tracked leaders, led 8th, hard pressed from 2 out, stayed on gamely
- Form 3/050P-3
- Age 8
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 107
held up in rear, headway 5 out, effort 2 out, every chance last, not quicken run-in
- Form 0F6-011
- Age 9
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer J R Bewley
- Jockey K Renwick
held up towards rear, headway 9th and in touch, mistake 5 out, soon weakened
- Form 5-6313U
- Age 7
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer J S Goldie
- Jockey P Buchanan
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, effort 3 out, weakened after next
- Form 2/246-44
- Age 8
- Weight 10-1
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer J Wade
- Jockey Jim Crowley
in touch, pushed along approaching 5 out, soon outpaced
In depth
Verdict
A number of these hold claims, so our selection, Little Big Horse, will need to work hard to get the better of the likes of Brave Thought and old rival The Nomad if he is to come out on top today. However, the Sue Smith-trained gelding has a big heart for a battle and, considering that he meets The Nomad on the same terms as when comfortably brushing him aside at Market Rasen, the case in favour looks a solid one today. A bigger threat can come from Brave Thought, who arrives in good form and should handle the prevailing conditions. Indeed, Peter Monteith's charge justified favoritism with a degree of purpose here last time and, if he repeats the effort over this longer trip, he should be capable of at least making the frame. Another to have a serious look at in the betting is the top weight Haut De Gamme, who looked useful when winning at Ayr at the start of last month. He does need to improve on his subsequent efforts though and the jury is out as to whether he can bounce back, despite only being 4lb higher today. Nevertheless, Little Big Horse is a consistent sort that has far more experience over British fences and he looks a worthy choice in a race that will place the emphasis on determination for the task in hand.