Racecards
15:15 Newcastle
STP Construction Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £3,600 added
- Winner: £2,339
- 2nd: £687
- 3rd: £343
- 4th: £172
- Form 3-4842P
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer Mrs S A Watt
- Jockey Joseph Palmowski
mid-division on outer, weakened from 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 223-435
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer R Dobbin
- Jockey Lucy Alexander
towards rear and pushed along throughout, headway from 3 out, plugged on from 2 out, went 3rd run-in
- Form 0F9-922
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey J Kington
with leader, led 2nd, headed 4 out, weakened before next
- Form 63-1764
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer J M Jefferson
- Jockey Harry Haynes
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 271352
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer A C Whillans
- Jockey Callum Whillans
tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened and lost 3rd run-in
- Form P/PPP-PP
- Age 8
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer A Parker
- Jockey Robert McCarth
led and keen, headed 2nd, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
Phoenix Lady
29- Form 358452
- Age 9
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 90
tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden before last, pressed run-in, just held on towards finish
- Form 66-7325
- Age 6
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 87
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey Zachery-James Gaughan
in rear, soon struggling, tailed off
Mahfal (FR)
16- Form 5563
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 94
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, chased winner 2 out, stayed on towards finish, just held
- Form 46P7/P-8
- Age 9
- Weight 10-3
- Official Rating 80
- Trainer D Thompson
- Jockey S Mulqueen
mid-division, weakened from 7th, tailed off
In depth
Verdict
Brian Ellison is bringing MAHFAL along steadily over timber and the gelding caught the eye last time at Leicester when a staying-on, never nearer third behind Mujamead. He seems certain to maintain his hurdling improvement and makes decent appeal here off a tempting handicap mark. Donald McCain's Irish import, Realignment, has been runner-up on both starts for his new yard and his latest effort behind Knockando has been franked by the winner's recent Wetherby success. The son of Celtic Swing should be competitive here once again. Heather Glen, a little disappointing last time but otherwise consistent, and the reliable Funky Munky, also deserve consideration.
Formwatch
Jewelled Dagger (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Carmela Maria (10-8) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Pyjama Game (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) Held up, hampered 4th, towards rear when not fluent 7th, ridden and soon struggling, 5th of 11, 45l behind Tap Night (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Realignment (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Held up behind, blundered 1st, headway 8th to chase leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, mistake 2 out, well held when blundered last, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Knockando (11-12) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
White Diamond 28-1 (11-7) Prominent, ridden and lost place after 6th, not fluent 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 10, 21l behind Dreambrook Lady (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m mares nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs.
Funky Munky 9-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed before last, kept on, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Patavium (10-13) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Arc Warrior (FR) 80-1 (11-6) With leader, pushed along and weakened before 2 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Dusky Bob (11-6) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Phoenix Lady 20-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, led 8th, headed after 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Carmela Maria (10-8) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Heather Glen (IRE) 5-4fav (11-1) With leader, led before 8th to next, outpaced after 4 out, no impression from next, 5th of 10, 20l behind Waywood Princess (9-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Mahfal (FR) 4-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, dropped to rear and went right 3rd, stayed on again from 2 out, switched right flat, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Mujamead (9-11) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Masra 100-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 8th of 14, well behind Ingleby Spirit (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.