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14:15 Newcastle - 12 December 2019 - Racecard - Horse Racing - Sporting Life
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14:15 Newcastle

Thursday 12 December 2019

All12:4013:1013:4514:1514:5015:20

Border Minstrel Handicap Hurdle

  • 3YO plus  |   Class 5  |   2m 46y  |   Soft  |   12 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 14:16  |   Winning time: 4m 14.7s
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Selected odds by:
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1
Horse silk
The Black Squirrel508
Age: 6|  Weight: 12-3| J: Billy Garritty(5)| T: H Hogarth| OR:  102| D
12/1
Bumper winner who was runner-up on his first two starts in handicaps for Warren Greatrex in early 2018/19, but below form on last two starts for that yard before being sold cheaply. Bit to prove for new connections.
2
Horse silk
Ilayah,t115
Age: 5|  Weight: 12-3| J: Miss Becky Smith(3)| T: Micky Hammond| OR:  102
7/1
Now 4lb lower than when a fair third at Wetherby (2m, good/soft) in March, but below form on all three starts this season. Drops in class with a tongue tie fitted, and feasible that she will bounce back in a modest contest.
3
Horse silk
Old Jewry16
Age: 5|  Weight: 12-2| J: Alain Cawley| T: D Bourke| OR:  101
20/1
Standout effort when third over fences at Kelso in September. Soundly beaten otherwise, however, and hard to back with confidence on this handicap debut, for all he can't be taken lightly.
4
Horse silk
Canny Stylet21
Age: 6|  Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Miss J E Foster| OR:  97| D
8/1
Scored at Sedgefield last term, but she has been below her best this season, albeit not disgraced. This is an easier task than some she's faced, but she does need to put her best foot forward, nonetheless.
5
Horse silk
Pistol34
Age: 10|  Weight: 11-10| J: Mr John Dixon(7)| T: J E Dixon| OR:  95| DWS
13/2
Veteran who wins his share, although on something of a barren run. Has had wind surgery since running badly at Hexham last month, and that could be a catalyst for a return to form. Well handicapped if that is the case.
6
Horse silk
King's Coinaget185
Age: 5|  Weight: 11-5| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR:  90
9/1
Showed a fair level of ability in qualifying, although yet to build on that in three handicap runs. Assessor quick to relent, however, and he's very fairly treated if bouncing back.
7
Horse silk
Hey Bobt34
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Dowson| T: C Grant| OR:  89| D
7/1
Quirky sort who ran his best race in a while when winning well at Sedgefield in October. Typically failed to back that up at Hexham next time, however, and he's not one to take short odds about.
8
Horse silk
Spirit Of Dreamsp17
Age: 4|  Weight: 11-2| J: William Shanahan(7)| T: H Burns| OR:  87
66/1
Unproven beyond 7f on the Flat, and has not offered a great deal of encouragement so far over hurdles. easy enough to pass him over again.
9
Horse silk
Calliopet22
Age: 6|  Weight: 11-1| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR:  86
9/2
Front-runner who is operating below her best at present, although has still performed respectably in her last three starts in similar events, and perhaps the removal of her usual hood will prove decisive.
10
Horse silk
Flaming Glory22
Age: 5|  Weight: 11-1| J: S Mulqueen(3)| T: K Scott| OR:  86
6/1
Has bits and pieces of form over timber which would give him place claims, but he is not progressing at present, and his latest effort was very poor.
12
Horse silk
Donald Duxt20
Age: 5|  Weight: 10-10| J: J Kington| T: A Crook| OR:  81
16/1
Soundly beaten in bumpers and on all three starts over hurdles, and while he may do better now handicapping at a lowly level, it's not easy to make any kind of case for him on form,
13
Horse silk
Outback Bluev17
Age: 6|  Weight: 10-0| J: Jonathon Bewley(3)| T: G Bewley| OR:  71
8/1
Placed just once in 16 starts over hurdles, and while he would look well treated on the pick of his efforts in this sphere, he's not easy to support on recent evidence.

Non-Runners

11
Horse silk
Oceanus28
Weight: 11-0|  Age: 5
T: Mrs Dianne Sayer  J: Danny McMenamin
NR

Forecasts

Calliope (9/2), Flaming Glory (6/1), Pistol (13/2), Ilaya (7/1), Hey Bob (7/1), Canny Style (8/1), Outback Blue (8/1), Oceanus (8/1), King's Coinage (9/1), The Black Squirrel (12/1), Donald Dux (16/1), Old Jewry (20/1), Spirit Of Dreams (66/1)

14:15 Newcastle - 12 December 2019 - Racecard - Horse Racing - Sporting Life

Every one of these needs excuses to be accepted before they can be backed, but the handicapper has handed out a few lifelines, not least to KING'S COINAGE, who has dropped 10lb for two completed handicap starts, and is well treated on the form he showed last season. He gets a rather tentative pick ahead of Pistol, who knows how to win and may have benefited from a recent breathing operation. Dianne Sayer has a pair of whom Calliope makes most appeal, but the market will be revealing.
  1. King's Coinage
  2. Pistol
  3. Calliope

Previous Winners

2018
Copt Hill
Weight: 10-0  |Age: 10
16/1

Prize Money

1st: £2,794.002nd: £820.003rd: £410.004th: £350.005th: £350.006th: £350.007th: £350.008th: £350.00

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