Racecards
14:20 Newcastle
Carol Todd Happy Birthday Novices' Chase (Class E)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Heavy, Soft in places
- Form 32-2F1P
- Age 9
- Weight 11-8
tracked leaders, reminders 5th, ridden and dropped rear 7th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 20th
- Form 134-6F4
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
held up in touch, pecked 10th, headway to chase winner after 4 out, ridden next, 2 lengths down and held when blundered badly last
- Form 3-3334F
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey G Lee
made all, pushed along after 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on strongly
Gunner Dream
16- Form P7F22-5
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer C Grant
- Jockey D N Russell
held up in touch, pushed along approaching 4 out, soon weakened
Johnny Grand
48- Form P-U0
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer D Keane
- Jockey Dave Crosse
towards rear, lost touch 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
- Form 823-44P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer Frank Kirby
- Jockey K Johnson
held up in rear, mistake 1st, behind from 11th
In depth
Verdict
The Grey Dyer is a confident selection here, though the trip is as short as he would like. However, the heavy ground will bring his stamina more into play and his defeat of Historg looks decent form now, though we do have to forgive him his last run where he was a beaten favourite. Devil's Run is a specialist at this trip and also handles the ground. He looks to have a race or two in him at this sort of level, though perhaps he will have to wait a little bit longer to claim his prize. We can expect a decent run too from Ebony Light, who will relish the going and though beaten, was in the process of running a decent race behind Joss Naylor at Bangor last time. Of the remainder Falchion has also shown some decent form in defeat and he too looks capable of picking up some winning prize money, though he may have to settle for second best again today.