Racecards
13:50 Newcastle
Toteplacepot Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- £15,000 added
- Form 23-1114
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer G A Swinbank
- Jockey D C Costello
held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, outpaced next, stayed on well towards finish
- Form F/1-511
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer H P Hogarth
- Jockey D O'Meara
with leader, weakened 3 out
- Form 34-42F1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey A Dobbin
tracked leaders and keen, led 3 out, clear approaching last, stayed on well
- Form 3-31021
- Age 6
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey M O'connell
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out
- Form 126-220
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 107
held up, hit 4th, lost place when hit 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
- Form 1-08511
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer Miss S E Forster
- Jockey N Mulholland
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner approaching next, no impression
In depth
Verdict
In the opener, Arctic Echo is selected ahead of Shrewd Investor, Stagecoach Opal and Bedlam Boy. Arctic Echo was found out at Grade 2 level last time but, prior to that, he had looked decent in winning three-successive races. The trip and going will hold no fears and he can go well. Shrewd Investor has looked tough and progressive in winning his last two and, having proven himself in a slog last time, he is respected. As are Stagecoach Opal, Bedlam Boy and Storymaker, who all come here having won their most-recent races and who are entitled to their supporters, although the last-named horse is racing from nine pounds out of the weights. It all adds up to an interesting opener, in which Arctic Echo is the choice.
Formwatch
Arctic Echo 9-4fav (11-9) In touch, pushed along 8th, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten, 4th of 7, 22l behind Chief Dan George (11-9) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs.
Shrewd Investor (IRE) 11-10fav (11-11) Tracked leader, mistake 3rd, led 4th, hard pressed from 2 out, soon ridden, held on under pressure flat, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan beating Major Oak (11-11) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Bedlam Boy (IRE) 8-13fav (11-3) Keen early, tracked leader until led 2nd, made rest, clear last, eased towards finish, won at Hexham 2m nh mdn hdl (5) sft beating Ocarina (11-0) by 18l, 10 ran.
Stagecoach Opal 11-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, led after 7th, mistake 3 out, ridden and mistake last, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec beating Surricate (10-12) by 1l, 11 ran.
Stolen Moments (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened next, 13th of 18, well behind Imperial Commander (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Kempski 12-1 (10-6) Led to 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 11, 26l behind Camden Bella (9-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Storymaker 11-2 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 4 out, every chance 3 out, led last, comfortably, won at Kelso 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan beating Crackleando (11-2) by 7l, 14 ran.