newtonabbotracing.com Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 19:25 | Winning time: 5m 26.1s

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Selected odds by:

The Butcher Said^h,t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy| OR: 136| D

1/9

Seeking a four-timer; was most impressive when notching up wins at Huntingdon, Cartmel and Fontwell. Progressive and will be very hard to beat if running up to his best.

Form: 6/62-111

Ballyjim²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Jack Barber

8/1

Hard to assess as only raced once under rules and that was an uninspiring run at Worcester in a maiden hurdle. Competent point-to-pointer but unlikely to be good enough here.

Form: 2222-15

Minella Rising^p²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: James Best| T: P Gundry

50/1

Not the greatest record in points and very weak when finishing well beaten on only racecourse appearance at Worcester earlier this month.

Form: PP3P-P6

Timber House¹¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Tracey Barfoot-Saunt

14/1

Limited ability in point-to-points and showed little promise on two runs for Gordon Elliot in Ireland recently. Best watched on British debut.

Form: 4F1/53-

Belle Of Steel³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: Mrs K Stephens

12/1

Limited information provided by just two point-to-point outings to date though she did win on her latest start in May so clearly in good shape. Market should provide the best guide.

Form: 4-1

Fleur Du Weld^t⁷⁷⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: David Noonan| T: Miss G Haywood| OR: 83

33/1

Showed some ability on a few outings over hurdles nearly two years ago. Has been off the track since then so very hard to assess.

Form: 0PP632/

Floral Queen³⁹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard

16/1

No real ability in bumpers and hurdles races to date. Not seen out for over a year. Best watched unless well supported in the market.

Form: 706/7-

No No Tonic²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Dave Crosse| T: Mark Gillard

12/1

Unfancied but ran creditably on only hurdles out at this track last month. Would need to improve significantly to land this but may be the one to chase the favourite home.

Form: 0-3

Forecasts

The Butcher Said (1/9), Ballyjim (8/1), No No Tonic (12/1), Belle Of Steel (12/1), Timber House (14/1), Floral Queen (16/1), Fleur Du Weld (33/1), Minella Rising (50/1)

Hard to see beyond THE BUTCHER SAID given his consistent recent profile. but will likely start a very short price. The minor honours may be fought out by Ballyjim, Fleur Du Weld (if fit) and No No Tonic.