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15:40 Newcastle

Saturday 4 January 2025

All12:1312:4813:2313:5714:3215:0815:40

Newcastle Mares' Handicap Hurdle

4YO plus | Class 5 | 2m 4f 62y | 13 Runners | Turf

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Selected odds by:

Belle Of Annandale^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: R M Smith| OR: 98

14/1

Dropped in trip and visor discarded on stable debut (previously with Adrian Keatley) when fourth of 5 in handicap hurdle at Musselburgh (15.6f, good to soft) 26 days ago. Step up in distance will help and Brian Hughes (has won on her) takes over in the saddle.

Form: 0-34474

Blame Rose^p,t²⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: S Corbett| OR: 94| D

11/4

Found improvement in the spring (from out of the weights) when fifth of 12 in handicap hurdle at Musselburgh (19.8f, heavy) before making the most of a drop in class to land a 7-runner handicap hurdle at Hexham (20.1f, heavy), having the run of the race from the front. Returns from 8-month absence.

Form: P34151-

Vanilla Dancer¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Danny McMenamin| T: C Grant| OR: 92

3/1

Posted best effort since tackling hurdles when third in the 12-runner handicap at Sedgefield (21.2f, good) won by Apples Moon. Reversed placings with that horse when career-best second at Catterick (19f, good) 18 days ago, attempted to make all and only headed in final 50 yds. Should go well again.

Form: 3-34432

Faha Belle⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 92

8/1

Previous connections (Fergal O'Brien) would have been frustrated not to get her head in front (0-14 under Rules), latest a disappointing effort on second chase outing. Change of scenery may help and it would be no surprise to see an improved effort on return to hurdles for new yard.

Form: 226446

Devon Skies²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 92

8/1

Well held in 2 bumpers but showed glimpses of ability in qualifying runs, possibly a shade disappointing when upped in trip (22f) when fourth of 6 in a novice event here three weeks ago. Goes handicapping now.

Form: 0-04234

On We Go³³²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-4| J: Theo Gillard| T: G Boanas| OR: 88

10/1

Largely struggled since landing an Ayr handicap in February 2023 but she has fallen down the weights and stopped the slide when third at Sedgefield (27f, heavy) on final start of last season. Couldn't be sure that she'll build on that here following a 11-month absence, though.

Form: 6860P3-

Topkapi Star²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 86| D

25/1

Bounced back to winning ways when scoring at Sedgefield (19.8f) in October. Backed up that effort when fourth at Haydock (24.3f) but disappointed when stepped back in trip (20.5f) and pulling up at Ayr on Thursday.

Form: 5/P-914P

Bridgetjoans^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: S Waugh| OR: 84

12/1

Left some lacklustre efforts behind when producing her best effort of the season in first-time cheekpieces, finishing fifth of 13 in handicap hurdle at Catterick (19.3f, good) 18 days ago. Entitled to build on that.

Form: 2-0P065

She's A Rocca^p²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁵⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 84| C| D

10/1

Dropped in the handicap following some disappointing efforts over the summer but bounced back to form after 4-months off when second (kept on but no match for winner) at this venue three weeks ago (16.9f, good to soft). Stepping back up in trip will do no harm and she looks a leading player.

Form: 1-PP702

Noble Affair²²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Ross Chapman| T: Mrs J Walton| OR: 83| D

25/1

Well-beaten on last hurdle outing in May and pulled up on her second chase start later that month. Not seen since and others appeal more.

Form: 84P0-0P

Lunar Glow²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: Paul Robson| OR: 80

20/1

May have needed the run on stable debut (first run since leaving Gillian Boanas) when ninth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Hexham (23.3f, soft) 24 days ago. Should strip fitter for that effort and interesting to see any market support.

Form: 666/45-9

Le Fou's Keep^p1,t⁵⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: H Burns| OR: 72

66/1

Maiden hurdler who ran poorly back up in trip after 5 months off when ninth of 11 at Kelso 56 days ago (20.9f), held up and made no impression. Cheekpieces worn for the first-time today but little appeal on recent evidence.

Form: 63P-809

Tres Bien¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 69

14/1

Showed a bit when third in a Newton Abbot bumper on debut but not very good since, failing to complete on 4 of her last 5 starts in this sphere, the exception when sixth of 13 in a handicap hurdle at Catterick (19.3f, good) 18 days ago, behind Vanilla Dancer. Needs more.

Form: 5PPPU6

Forecasts

Blame Rose (11/4), Vanilla Dancer (3/1), Devon Skies (8/1), Faha Belle (8/1), She's A Rocca (10/1), On We Go (10/1), Bridgetjoans (12/1), Tres Bien (14/1), Belle Of Annandale (14/1), Lunar Glow (20/1), Topkapi Star (25/1), Noble Affair (25/1), Le Fou's Keep (66/1)

VANILLA DANCER made a bold bid from the front when finishing second at Catterick 18 days ago, and as long as she doesn't get caught up in a battle for the early lead, she can go one better today. She's a Rocca has been given a chance by the handicapper and is the main danger, while Faha Belle may return to form on first start for new connections.