Racecards
14:45 Newton Abbot
Hilltop Novices' Hurdle (Class D)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f
- Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
- Form 631-211
- Age 6
- Weight 12-4
made all, quickened clear 6th, eased from last, impressively
- Form 52P2-21
- Age 7
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer Mrs S Williams
- Jockey C Llewellyn
chased leaders, reminders 4th, ridden approaching 7th, stayed on same pace
- Form 2F5-6F3
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
mid-division, ridden 7th, headway and stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd approaching last
- Form P/P2P4-6
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J King
- Jockey James Davies
chased leader and not jump well, lost place 4th, soon behind
High Rocker
10- Form 00-PF0
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey Mr R Spate
held up towards rear, ridden 7th, no impression
Keitho (IRE)
12- Form PP/1-11P
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey A Honeyball
held up mid-division, headway and chased winner 7th, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
- Form U451-06
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey N Kavanagh
held up last, ridden 7th, no headway from 2 out
- Form 3-4
- Age 5
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer J Mullins
- Jockey Mr R Young
mid-division, ridden 5th, lost place 6th, pulled up soon after
Floranz
23- Form 0F/P3
- Age 7
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer Mrs M Evans
- Jockey R Thornton
prominent, chased winner 4th, mistake 5th and 6th, ridden approaching 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before last
In depth
Verdict
A big chance for Therealbandit to notch a straight hat-trick of wins, with Sovereign's Gift and Keitho the obvious dangers. Penalised for two wins, the last being over course and distance, the Martin Pipe-trained likely favourite will be glad of Jamie Moore's five-pound claim but can win again. Sovereign's Gift came good over this course 18 days ago but that was over a shorter trip and in a weak race. However, she proved earlier at Wincanton that she stayed this trip and might be open to some more improvement. Paul Nicholls' Irish import, Keitho, who is a winning pointer, can bag some place money but looks up against it taking on the favourite. Martin Pipe also runs High Rocker and Lord Of The Track but they look modest on what they have so far achieved so it all points to Therealbandit to land the spoils again.