Racecards
17:25 Newton Abbot
Steve Laister Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £5,700 added
- Form 82P8PP
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 99
pushed along after 4th, always behind, tailed off 5th
- Form 443
- Age 4
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Nick Scholfield
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, 3rd and challenged on outside 2 out, driven and switched left before last, one pace and no impression
- Form 5493
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 96
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey T J O'Brien
held up towards rear, headway 5th, led before 2 out, joined 2 out, kept on well from last
- Form 2-497
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer R H & Mrs S Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
chased leaders, hit 5th, soon lost place, tailed off
Mix N Match
26- Form 5-R1P49
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer J D Frost
- Jockey Mr T O'Connor
mid-division, stayed on same pace approaching 2 out
- Form 04P461
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer Mrs A M Thorpe
- Jockey Danny Cook
in touch, ridden after 3 out, one pace soon after
Randjo (FR)
10- Form 9144-P0
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer R H & Mrs S Alner
- Jockey J E Moore
led, headed before 2 out, dropped to 4th and blundered 2 out, soon weakened and eased
- Form 0/7938P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 89
- Trainer Mrs S Leech
- Jockey R P McLernon
chased leader, slow jump and reminder after 1st, dropped to 3rd after 4th, weakened rapidly 5th, tailed off
- Form P/PP-P12
- Age 8
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer A E Jones
- Jockey Harry Skelton
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4th, chasing winner and ridden when every chance 2 out, one pace approaching last
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
WATERGATE is fancied to open his account at the main expense of Hiddensee and Serious Choice. The selection never looked like taking up his engagement in the Triumph Hurdle and has some way to go if he's to justify his price tag but he's certainly shown enough to believe that he can pay his way at this level. He may not have lived up to expectations on his first two starts but wasn't disgraced on either occasion whilst he may have been given too much to do on his handicap bow where he stayed on from off the pace to finish third although it is worth noting that connections now try him with a tongue strap. Hiddensee failed to complete on four consecutive outings but he has now run back to back sound races and must be considered again despite a further rise in the weights. Serious Choice stepped up on previous efforts when third on his handicap bow and it would be no surprise to see Time To Think do the same and he's well worth considering if the vibes are positive but they may struggle to contain Watergate.
Formwatch
A Haon A Do (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) In touch until ridden and weakened 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Tom O'tara (9-11) at Warwick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb, 12 ran.
Watergate (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Raced in rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 17, 7l behind Exulto (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Serious Choice (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 13l behind Knight In Purple (10-4) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Time To Think 7-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, weakened from next, 7th of 13, 23l behind Miss Nightshade (11-3) at Exeter 2m 3f mares NH nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Mix N Match 20-1 (11-7) Always behind, 9th of 12, well behind Woodlark Island (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Mar.
Hammer 3-1fav (11-6) Chased leaders, travelling well after 3 out, tracked leader before 2 out, closed on outside flat, driven ahead near finish, won at Taunton 2m 1f Selling Handicap Hurdle (0-90) (4-7yo) (5) gs beating Skye But N Ben (11-5) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Randjo (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Prominent until 3 out, not fluent next, 14th of 18, 33l behind The Brimmer (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Wait For The Light 12-1 (10-13) Prominent, quickly lost place approaching 5th, tailed off, pulled up before next, in a race won by Wujood (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Hiddensee (USA) 10-11fav (10-11) Prominent, pushed along approaching 4th, chased winner 3 out, stayed on from next, never able to challenge, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Gamesters Lady (11-8) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Mar.
Majestic Bull (USA) 33-1 (10-7) Badly hampered and fell 1st, in a race won by Organisateur (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Mar, 15 ran.