13:45 Newbury

Friday 1 March 2019

All13:4514:2014:5015:2515:5516:3017:00

Physicool Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 5m 2.55s

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Selected odds by:

Crystal Lad²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: N F Houlihan⁽¹⁰⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 121

7/4

Nibbled in the market when pulled up at Kempton on Boxing Day. Ran a cracker behind Earlofthecotswolds (runs Ludlow Thursday) when back down in this class last time. Player if he can build on that here with young riders claim a big help.

Form: 3349-P2

Friday Night Light^b,t⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Kieron Edgar| T: D Pipe| OR: 119| C

5/1

Not been in the best of form so far this year but has been punching in much bigger fights than this. Better effort dropped to this grade last time although was readily brushed aside by the winner. Should run his race and has won here in the past.

Form: P0-6502

Paint The Dream^t²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: C Brace⁽⁸⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 119

12/1

Only had a couple of starts over hurdles but has shaped with ability on both occasions. Starts life in handicaps against some experienced sorts in here but opening mark does not look too bad. Market check essential.

Form: 25F-743

Malachite¹⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Ned Curtis⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 119| D

12/1

Only had two starts so far this term and looked to need the run on the first of them when down the field in a class 3 event at Cheltenham. Similar story in this grade at Warwick last time and given another three-month break. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 3516-03

Ey Up Rocky³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 117

11/1

Ran a couple of crackers at Kempton and Doncaster before the turn of the year including on handicap debut. Stopped very quickly at Huntingdon last time and that can't have been his true running. Player here if bouncing back to those previous efforts

Form: FP4-22P

Nathans Pride^t⁶³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Rex Dingle| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 117

33/1

Form has a very in-and-out feel to it at times. Ran well when last seen over hurdles in December but struggled next time over fences. Freshened up now and down to a good mark but others have far more convincing profiles in this field.

Form: 47012-P

Baddesley Prince⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Reed| T: C Gordon| OR: 115

9/2

Shown steady improvement with each start over hurdles which culminated in a sound effort when second at Plumpton in January. Moves into handicaps of what looks a tempting mark and market check very much needed.

Form: 5882

From The Heart⁸⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 111

20/1

Has shown minor promise in three starts over hurdles so far. Moves into handicaps off a workable mark and the step up in trip looks to be a good move.

Form: 80-373

Chief Brody⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Lorcan Williams| T: W R Muir| OR: 110

33/1

A winner over 2m at Warwick last March but missed most of last season afterwards. Form has regressed this season after a positive start and a few of these may be better handicapped. Needs to put best foot forward to have a say.

Form: FP/1-230

Samson's Reach^p⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Bryony Frost| T: R J Price| OR: 110| D

14/1

Still 4lb higher than for his last win but the application of cheekpieces produced a better effort at Ludlow (2m5½f, good) last time. Conditions here no problem but needs to find a bit extra.

Form: 361672

Gaelic Poet^t⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Price⁽⁸⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 109

50/1

Well held in bumpers and all three starts over hurdles to date. Makes handicap debut off what looks a tough mark and market may be best guide to his chances here.

Form: 9-9945

Eva's Oskar⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R Patrick| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 107

25/1

Three starts so far over hurdles and has looked a potential staying type. Goes up markedly in trip for handicap debut which should suit. Another for a which a market glance is advised.

Form: 7-738

Forecasts

Crystal Lad (7/4), Baddesley Prince (9/2), Friday Night Light (5/1), Ey Up Rocky (11/1), Malachite (12/1), Paint The Dream (12/1), Samson's Reach (14/1), From The Heart (20/1), Eva's Oskar (25/1), Chief Brody (33/1), Nathans Pride (33/1), Gaelic Poet (50/1)

An interesting opener with several of these holding the potential to edge up the ladder. Friday Night Light is on a dangerous mark and this is his level now so he may not be easy to pass. Malachite and Ey Up Rocky are both sure to end up better than their current marks and are respected. Baddesley Prince is another who could go well on handicap debut but preference is for CRYSTAL LAD who ran a cracker at Market Rasen last time and has the very generous 10lb claim of Niall Houlihan here.