Racecards
14:50 Newcastle
Saltwell Signs 'national Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- £4,000 added
- Form 11-2F61
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey D F O'Regan
chased leader, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, not quicken run-in
- Form 060
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer P Beaumont
- Jockey P Whelan
in touch, chased leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out
- Form 244
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer Micky Hammond
- Jockey K Renwick
mid-division, headway 5th, kept on same pace
- Form 142
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey A Dobbin
tracked leaders and keen, led 2 out, driven out
- Form 546580
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
mid-division, chasing leaders when hampered 4 out, weakened from 2 out
- Form 12-00
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey J P O'farrell
led to 3 out, one pace
- Form 0-7P0
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer G A Harker
- Jockey M O'connell
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, one pace
- Form U7009
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 84
- Trainer P J Gilligan
- Jockey A E Lynch
held up mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from 3 out
Wee George
46- Age 6
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer P Beaumont
- Jockey G Berridge
held up towards rear, weakened from 5th
Lady Sambury
69- Form 60-0PP
- Age 6
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer M A Barnes
- Jockey M J McAlister
in touch, weakened approaching 3 out
- Form 066-8P
- Age 7
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer S J Marshall
- Jockey P Aspell
mid-division, in touch when fell 4 out
Verdict
Noble Alan is the percentage call here given the doubts surrounding the well being of Howard Johnson's string at present means that one couldn't be confident about Kealshore Boy. Realistic opposition to that pair is thin on the ground, La Pantera Rosa may be the best of it. The selection was an impressive winner of a bumper on debut and was well supported when a beaten favourite in a Grade 2 contest at Ascot next time. Those two runs were on quick ground so his hurdling debut on good to soft has to be deemed a perfectly satisfactory effort; first past the post Ignotus franked the form at the weekend and he's clearly a useful prospect. Kealshore Boy only narrowly went down to Theatrical Moment in the Aintree bumper having won his first two starts. He won as one would have expected him to here at the end of January on his third start over hurdles. There's not a great deal between the pair on the book but, with the Johnson yard having closed its doors for a week, Noble Alan has to be the call.
Formwatch
Kealshore Boy 10-11fav (11-4) With leader, led before 3rd, made rest, drew clear from 2 out, pushed out, comfortably, won at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Description (11-1) by 11l, 16 ran.
Fine Parchment (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 15th of 22, 40l behind Lease Lend (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
La Pantera Rosa (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, reminders approaching 4 out, ridden next, no impression, 4th of 8, 15l behind Logans Run (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Noble Alan (GER) 5-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, hit last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Best Prospect (11-3) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Palos Conti (FR) 100-1 (11-2) Mid-division, blundered 4th, soon behind, 11th of 16, well behind Tampa Boy (11-2) at Hereford 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Professor Higgins (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place after 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, well behind Auroras Encore (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Pumboo (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Prominent, under pressure 6th, ridden and weakened quickly 3 out, 11th of 15, well behind Bennynthejets (10-11) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Serve Notice (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Mid-division, 10th halfway, no impression from 4 out, 9th of 18, 40l behind Faltering Fullback (11-4) at Thurles 2m mdn hdl sft in Feb.
Wee George 20-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened 6f out, tailed off, 10th of 15, well behind Katapult (11-1) at Catterick 2m mdn nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Faith And Fortune 14-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 6th of 8, 42l behind Evelith Regent (10-9) at Catterick 2m nhf (6) sft in Feb.
Lady Sambury 200-1 (10-2) Prominent, led 1st until approaching 5th, soon weakened and pulled up at the last in race won by Master Builder (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec, 13 ran.
Moneylaws (IRE) 250-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 8th in race won by Viking Rebel (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hdl (2) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Prioryjo 25-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, headway 4 out, blundered next, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 43l behind Overbranch (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Robin de La Folie (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, 12th of 15, well behind Frank Crow (11-3) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Sam Cruise 50-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, struggling from 7th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Viking Rebel (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hdl (2) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Top Official (IRE) 200-1 (11-2) Held up and keen, never dangerous, 9th of 15, well behind Riguez Dancer (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.