sunbets.co.uk Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:56 | Winning time: 4m 20.63s

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Selected odds by:

Nuts Well²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 131

3/1

Lost his unbeaten record at this track last month when going down by 3L to the thriving Teo Vivo. That was a most pleasing effort nevertheless, with third placed Raise A Spark winning subsequently. Certain to be competitive with this stable in much better form recently (feed supplier changed).

Form: 583221

Sakhee's City^p²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 128

3/1

Stablemate of Lady Buttons, who hasn't won for over a year (maiden hurdle). However, has finished runner up five times since then, so his mark has continued to rise. Much more likelier winners in a competitive event.

Form: 22-22F2

Kelka²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 125

11/4

A most progressive mare in novice company; owned by regular Newcastle sponsor David Armstrong, and was arguably in very deep when under-performing at Sandown last month. She promises to be suited by dropping back to this trip, but this is a competitive handicap for one so inexperienced.

Form: 12-21

Dakota Grey⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Joe Colliver| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 120

16/1

A chasing career has seemingly been put firmly on hold for now (pulled up on both starts over fences this term). However, like Kelka, he is unexposed in handicaps having proved similarly progressive in novice hurdles last term, with the handicapper showing some surprising leniency (now rated 120).

Form: 0/23122-

Reverant Cust^t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Finian O'Toole⁽⁵⁾| T: P Atkinson| OR: 113

9/2

C&D winner at the most recent jumps fixture here earlier this month, but that success came in a very low key novices event which didn't take much winning. Needs to improve significantly to trouble these rivals on less testing ground.

Form: 76-

Sudski Star^p,t⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Thomas Dowson⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs H O Graham| OR: 107

17/2

Beaten 11L by Lady Buttons over C&D in late January, and strictly speaking on an interpretation of that form ought to be able to reverse those placings on much better terms. However, that winner has improved masses since and this is far too competitive for a horse who hasn't won since August 2014.

Form: 6/3P351-

Non-Runners

Lady Buttons¹⁵

Weight: 12-2| Age: 7

T: P A Kirby J: Ross Chapman

Forecasts

Lady Buttons (15/8), Kelka (11/4), Nuts Well (3/1), Sakhee's City (3/1), Reverant Cust (9/2), Sudski Star (17/2), Dakota Grey (16/1)

A competitive two mile handicap hurdle, which is probably the best race on the card. Lady Buttons comes here in peak form seeking the four timer, and looks very tough to beat. However, whilst Ross Chapman removes the latest 7lb rise from her back, this breaks the fine partnership that she has enjoyed with Adam Nicol (rides stablemate Sakhee's City). NUTS WELL adores his most local track, and whilst he lost his unbeaten record here last month, he ran a fine race in chasing home Teo Vivo, and with Ann Hamilton's horses seemingly back to their best, he's taken to record a third C&D success.