15:25 Newbury

Friday 1 March 2019

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

RR Elite 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 4m 55.8s

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Selected odds by:

Emitom⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 134

6/4

Yet to be seriously tested in both hurdle wins and proven stamina. Clearly well regarded by connections and has major claims once again here to remain unbeaten.

Form: 1-111

Tidal Flow⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 138| BF| CD

5/2

Looks a useful sort having won his first two starts over hurdles. Jumping lacked fluency and up against it early on when a disappointing favourite for a Grade 2 at Warwick last time. Sights lowered here but needs to bounce back here.

Form: 14-116

Gallahers Cross⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| BF

7/2

Useful bumper performer that was sent off a short-priced favourite on hurdling debut at Ascot in December. Fell short there but should have learnt plenty and should be more to come.

Form: 1/14-4

Interconnected³⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson

8/1

Winner of a point-to-point last February and picked up by connections for £220,000 at the Tatts Cheltenham Festival sale shortly after. Joined top yard and connections also have Gallahers Cross so interesting how he shapes in the market in comparison

Form: F1-

Kauto The King^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard

40/1

Had some fairly useful bumper form without winning. Well held in two starts so far over hurdles and has plenty to find with the principles here today.

Form: 343-454

Legal Eyes⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: B PaulingWS

25/1

Good effort on hurdling debut behind the useful Beakstown at Uttoxeter in November. Took a backward step when beaten a long way at Huntingdon over Christmas. Given a break and has had wind surgery since.

Form: 22-37

Levasseur⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: B I Case

150/1

Placed in a couple of points (well fancied) before being picked up by current connections for £58,000. Rules debut today and market check needed. May need further in time.

Form: 22

Pride Of Lecale^t⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: N D Fehily| T: F O'Brien

25/1

Had some useful bumper form but has ultimately been pretty disappointing in two starts over hurdles so far. Much more needed to get off the mark here in a pretty deep race.

Form: 2107/56

Storm Of Intrigue⁴⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: J McGrath| T: N J HendersonWS

33/1

Only made the track twice for connections so far and always regarded as a future chaser. Had wind surgery back in September last year but has not been seen on the track for 462 days. Likely to need the run.

Form: 10-

Forecasts

Emitom (6/4), Tidal Flow (5/2), Gallahers Cross (7/2), Interconnected (8/1), Legal Eyes (25/1), Pride Of Lecale (25/1), Storm Of Intrigue (33/1), Kauto The King (40/1), Levasseur (150/1)

A good race and connections will be hoping that Tidal Flow bounces back after his lacklustre display in a Grade 2 last time. Emitom is unbeaten under rules and comes here with very strong claims once again. GALLAHERS CROSS should have learnt plenty from his hurdling debut at Ascot and remains with plenty of potential, especially in receipt of weight from the top two.