Racecards
14:40 Newton Abbot
Visit attheraces.com Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 167y
- Going: Good (Good to Firm in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £5,800 added
- Winner: £3,769
- 2nd: £1,107
- 3rd: £553
- 4th: £277
- Form 1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey H Cobden
chased leaders, niggled along after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, went second and switched right approaching last where awkward, ran on strongly
- Form 1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey B S Hughes
tracked leader, set alight by leader after 4th, ridden along before 2 out, not fluent last, no extra flat
Janus (IRE)
14- Form P0/
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer M F Harris
- Jockey Mitchell Bastyan
held up in last, went fourth after 3 out, kept on one pace under hands and heels from 2 out
- Form 8/
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer R Walford
- Jockey James Best
jumped badly left 1st, raced in fourth, ridden and weakened quickly after 3 out, pulled up 2 out
- Form 2-8
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs J Williams
- Jockey Chester Williams
keen in rear when badly hampered and brought down 1st
- Form 0-3104
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer M F Harris
- Jockey Kevin Jones
chased leaders when hampered and fell 1st
- Form PF13-33
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer F O'Brien
- Jockey Max Kendrick
made all at steady pace, upped tempo after 3 out, ridden for effort approaching 2 out, kept on well flat
In depth
Verdict
Celestial Force did well to justify favouritism in a maiden here at the start of the month as Harry Cobden dropped his whip on the home turn. Hasanabad showed signs of inexperience at Southwell but still won with a bit to spare and is another likely improver. But THE BEES KNEES looks a big threat to the penalised pair as he was only head at the last on his hurdling debut over a slightly longer trip and will know more today. Presenting Yeats is not out of this either.
Formwatch
Celestial Force (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders on inside, mistake left 2nd and hampered 3 out, challenged going well when went left next, rider dropped whip after 2 out, pushed along to lead narrowly last, just did enough, won at Newton Abbot 2m 2f mdn (4) gd in Sep beating Redbridge Gold (10-7) by nk, 9 ran.
Hasanabad (IRE) 10-11fav (10-12) Led 2nd and wandered into some flights early, made rest and jumping improved on back straight, lunged at 3 out, clear 2 out, shaken up between last 2, stayed on strongly, won at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gd in Sep beating Unexpected Party (10-12) by 7 1/2l, 9 ran.
Janus (IRE) 11-1 (9-8) Towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and stayed on towards finish, 4th of 14, 5 1/4l behind A'shamardi (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Lawyersgunsn'money 12-1 (9-2) Keen tracked winner, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 21 1/4l behind Willy Nilly (9-2) at Bath 1m hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Le Crunch (FR) 11-1 (10-11) Raced keenly, chased leaders, bumped 3rd, mistake 3 out, weakened before next, 8th of 12, 26 3/4l behind Check My Pulse (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gs in Aug.
Presenting Yeats (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Last pair, jumped slowly and reminder 2nd, headway and plugging on when left modest 4th last, 4th of 8, 17 3/4l behind Zarrar (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn (4) gf in Sep.
The Bees Knees (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Prominent, led briefly 3rd, led again 4 out, edged left before 2 out, headed when pecked last, no extra flat, 3rd of 11, 5 3/4l behind Calum Gilhooley (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f (3) gd in Sep.