Racecards
14:45 Hexham
Andy Calvert Celebration Novices' Hurdle (Class 3)
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £8,500 added
- Winner: £5,817
- 2nd: £1,696
- 3rd: £848
- Form P233-11
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer M Smith
- Jockey Danny Cook
tracked leaders, went between last 2, 3 lengths down and ridden last, kept on flat, always held
- Form 53/1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey A P McCoy
pressed leader, led 4th, made rest, 3 lengths clear last, stayed on, eased towards finish, comfortably
- Form 058-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer Mrs J Walton
- Jockey Mr A J Findlay
held up, always in rear, tailed off 2 out
- Form P552-U4
- Age 8
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer P A Kirby
- Jockey Phil Dennis
mid-division, mistake and rider lost iron briefly 2nd, chased leaders 2 out, ridden and outpaced between last 2, never on terms
- Form 05-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer R Menzies
- Jockey Tony Kelly
held up, always behind, tailed off 2 out
- Form 7/78P-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer M A Barnes
- Jockey M J McAlister
tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, challenged after 3 out, every chance next, lost place between last 2, weakened last
- Form 1/FF3-74
- Age 8
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer S Corbett
- Jockey James Corbett
mid-division, headway 2 out, went 3rd and ridden before last, kept on, no chance with front pair
Spread Boy (IRE)
264- Age 7
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer F P Murtagh
- Jockey G B Watters
behind, some headway into mid-division after 2 out, never near leaders, weakened flat
- Age 7
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer R Drake
- Jockey Samantha Drake
mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off
- Form 25
- Age 4
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer J P Ferguson
- Jockey D C Costello
tracked leaders, hit 2 out, soon outpaced, no impression before last
- Form 5/7-6
- Age 6
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey D R Fox
mid-division, outpaced after 2 out, never near leaders
- Form 13710-5
- Age 6
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer J M Jefferson
- Jockey B S Hughes
mid-division, headway after 2 out, mistake last, stayed on flat, never nearer
Verdict
Nicky Henderson is a rare visitor here and his VYTA DU ROC returned from over a year off to score in facile style at Uttoxeter - this looks another strong opportunity and he should be another winner for the champion jockey. Mister Springsprong will ensure that he does not have things all his own way though as he's looked a most progressive sort in winning two novice hurdles here and is one to follow. However, he has to concede weight to the selection and would prefer more give in the ground. Shrewd was a bitter disappointment when beaten a long way last time and the jury is now out on the Ferguson contender but Noir Girl and Oleohneh are possible place options.
Formwatch
Mister Spingsprong (IRE) 2-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in May beating Lyric Street (10-12) by 7l, 13 ran.
Vyta Du Roc (FR) 15-8 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led before 2 out, clear after last, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in May beating Herecomestrouble (11-0) by 10l, 10 ran.
Alwaysrecommended (IRE) 80-1 (10-10) Took keen hold, soon led, headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 12, 28l behind Looking Well (11-3) at Perth 2m NH flat (5) sft in Apr.
Indalo Return (IRE) 6-1 (12-5) Trckd ldrs; ev ch 3 out; sn outpcd, 4th of 11, 29l behind Lowanbehold (12-5) at Haydon 3m ptp sft.
Poppies Milan (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 4th, outpaced over 3f out, soon lost place, 5th of 8, 28l behind Mr Satco (11-2) at Kelso 2m NH flat (5) gf in May '13.
Red Mystique (IRE) 250-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Rockabilly Riot (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Sparville (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 4 out, in 4th and weakening when blundered 2 out, 4th of 8, 18l behind Applause For Amy (10-2) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in May.
Spread Boy (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) In touch, ridden over 2f out, not trouble leaders, 7th of 11, 6l behind Mysterious Wonder (8-10) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Sep (flat).
Stuckinthefence (IRE) Bienamado gelding out of Starshade.
Shrewd Evensfav (10-9) Tracked leaders, not always fluent, mistake 7th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 5th of 7, well behind Discay (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in May.
Catchthemoonlight 14-1 (10-2) In rear, not fluent 4th, soon ridden and behind, 6th of 8, 30l behind Mighty Whitey (10-11) at Hexham 2m sell hdl (5) gs.
Noir Girl 7-2 (11-0) Led, headed before 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 14l behind Grace Tara (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f mares n h flat (6) sft in May.
Oleohneh (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent, effort before 3 out, no impression, hampered just after 3 out and soon weakened, 5th of 8, 31l behind There Is No Point (11-0) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in May.
The Banastoir (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, rider seemed to being having tack problems briefly before 6th, not fluent 7th, stayed on from 2 out, no impression, 5th of 11, 19l behind Royale Django (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft.