March 07 / 16.25 Newcastle

16.25

Good To Soft

Vickers.Bet And LHS Champion Racing Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4330.42
  • 2m 4f 62y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Vickers.Bet And LHS Champion Racing Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Snow showers

OUR TIP

Form: 6454

Last run: 52 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; minor promise in novice hurdle but 3m on soft was beyond him when a tired fourth on handicap debut at Wetherby in January; can be a threat back at 2m4f for yard that had a great day on Saturday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

20th Jul 2024

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

14:15 Cartmel

Hattons Gardens

11st 9lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Sandy Thomson

Irish point winner in February 2022 (3m, soft to heavy); yet to win over regulation fences, but several fair efforts including when 7l fifth of 13 at Uttoxeter last time (3m, good).

13/2

5th

5

6th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Uttoxeter

Hattons Gardens

11st 6lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Flattered to deceive on a few occasions over hurdles and doesn't seem to see his races out; again weakened to be fourth on last month's chase debut at Southwell (2m4f, good); this longer trip may prove beneficial and he has dropped to a workable mark; each-way player.

6/1

4th

3

14th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

14:30 Southwell

Hattons Gardens

11st 7lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Irish point winner in February 2022 (3m, soft/heavy); patchy form over hurdles; cheekpieces now on again (pulled up with an irregular heartbeat only previous time he wore them); bit to prove on chase debut.

6/1

Form: 349

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Winner of sole Irish point in late 2021; has shown ability in mares' novice hurdles but she dropped right out on handicap debut over C&D on Boxing Day and has it to prove after that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

28th May 2023

Good To Firm

2m 7f 96y

Class 5

16:40 Kelso

Rockonsoph

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Rose Dobbin

held up in last

11/10

11th

6

16th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 5

14:15 Newcastle

Rockonsoph

11st 7lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Rose Dobbin

0-5 over hurdles but was second (albeit no match for winner) off 6lb higher at Ayr (2m5f, good) in March and her eased-down Irish point win in 2021 bodes well for her chasing prospects; not sure to benefit from today's drop back in trip but still makes appeal.

12/1

8th

8

26th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:05 Perth

Rockonsoph

10st 5lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Rose Dobbin

took keen hold, disputed lead, led 2nd, headed 2 out, ridden and weakened approaching last

15/2

Abandoned

Form: 54-P51 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Showed little in early starts but there were more hopeful signs two starts ago and his stamina came into play when beating two fair markers for the level at Sedgefield in January (2m5f, good to soft); up 4lb; should find this stiffer track helpful and further improvement is on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

3rd Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

16:27 Hexham

Zwicky

12st 0lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Won over fences at Sedgefield last autumn and kept on for creditable second of 12 behind Ocean Legacy when back over hurdles there (3m3f, good to soft) in February; absent since disappointing C&D run in March but resumes on a workable mark.

10/1

13th

3

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:00 Hexham

Zwicky

11st 9lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

towards rear

11/2

2nd

2

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 3f 9y

Class 5

14:05 Sedgefield

Zwicky

12st 0lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

held up in last

7/2

Form: /78-78

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Some bumper promise but has been soundly beaten in two hurdle runs since returning from absence, including on handicap debut at Ayr last month; needs huge turnaround in first-time tongue-tie back at 2m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 218y

Class 4

16:05 Carlisle

Enemy At The Gate

11st 3lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Donald Whillans

Remains a maiden after 14 starts but he's consistent and was a good third over C&D (soft) in March; didn't quite see out 3m1f here later that month; has had wind op since and holds each-way claims on his return.

11/1

3rd

5

30th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Carlisle

Enemy At The Gate

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald Whillans

Consistent maiden who was close up over 3m at Ayr (just behind Artic Mann) before finishing third here where dropping back to 2m3f found him out (was staying on); unlikely to be far away.

4/1

3rd

5

7th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

14:05 Carlisle

Enemy At The Gate

11st 5lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Donald Whillans

in rear early, midfield 4 out

9/2

Abandoned

Form: 3354

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Heavy ground didn't suit on Ayr handicap debut in January but he ran a fair fourth in 2m3f Catterick maiden since (good), outpaced between the last two but finishing well; has scope and he can improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

16th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

15:00 Musselburgh

Agilulf

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Adam Nicol

Longstanding maiden who was soundly beaten at Newcastle last time in a first-time hood (retained); however, he's run pretty well on both previous visits to Musselburgh and the tongue-tie is back on today, which he wore when a fair fourth over C&D (good to soft) in November; interesting contender.

8/1

7th

7

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Agilulf

11st 1lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Adam Nicol

in touch with leaders

20/1

7th

7

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Agilulf

11st 1lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Adam Nicol

in touch with leaders, mistake 5th

20/1

Abandoned

Form: 534484

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Has dropped 16lb in the weights since back from a break in October and in the frame four times since (at 2m1f/2m4f) but he is still a maiden and does not look well treated even now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

24th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 44y

Class 6

20:40 Salisbury

Astroman

9st 5lb

J: Mia Nicholls

T: Syd Hosie

Beaten a long way over C&D in the spring before a better showing from the front in a 3m2f hurdle round Fontwell; is some way down the pecking order for a yard also responsible for Nadim.

16/1

3rd

1

12th Jun 2024

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

15:43 Fontwell

Astroman

12st 0lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Syd Hosie

led, increased tempo 10th

11/1

Form: 0P4P9

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Modest form at big prices in two handicaps, pulled up at Wetherby before fading into ninth over 2m6f at Kelso (good) 18 days ago; however, trainer/jockey did win a division of this with a 25-1 shot in 2022.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

28th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

15:45 Hexham

How Much

11st 2lb

J: Mr William Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

held up in rear, pushed along after 3 out, struggling 2 out, pulled up approaching last

25/1

11

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

16:35 Newcastle

How Much

10st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Tim Easterby

Form: 709600

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Just modest form in a handful of starts so far and was never out of the rear division on handicap debut at Uttoxeter in January (2m4f, good to soft; 40-1); may be a longer term prospect but looks unlikely today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

10

17th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 78y

Class 5

13:00 Doncaster

Out For The Count

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Jennie Candlish

Modest maiden hurdler; unseated rider at first fence on chasing debut in September and was tailed off when fourth at Huntingdon (2m7f) last month; needs this sharp drop back in trip to show him in a much better light; 1lb wrong.

25/1

4th

8

10th Oct 2023

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:20 Huntingdon

Out For The Count

10st 4lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Jennie Candlish

Modest maiden hurdler who unseated rider at first fence when 33-1 for last month's chasing debut; not the most obvious answer.

20/1

0

9

19th Sep 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:10 Uttoxeter

Out For The Count

10st 2lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Jennie Candlish

held up in rear, not fluent and unseated 1st

12/1

Form: 456P53

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
The latest of three handicap runs, at Wetherby in January (2m3f, soft), was much his best, holding his position quite well in third behind one who has since completed a five-timer; is capable of taking a hand.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

12th Jun 2023

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:25 Southwell

Having A Barney

10st 6lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

raced in second

11/4

3rd

7

24th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

20:50 Southwell

Having A Barney

10st 11lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

took keen hold, led, headed but prominent after 1st, short of room home turn, pushed along before 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on and went third run-in

4/1

6th

9

6th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:30 Hexham

Having A Barney

10st 7lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Mark Walford

midfield

7/1

Form: 06775

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Has played no part in the finish of two handicaps at Wetherby this year, over 3m (soft) and 2m3f (good); has lots to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

15th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 7f 149y

Class 5

13:00 Newcastle

Is So Cute Dimaria

10st 2lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Tim Easterby

prominent on outer, lost position 5th, pushed along before 7th

25/1

8th

11

14th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:10 Sedgefield

Is So Cute Dimaria

10st 2lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Tim Easterby

Modest form so far but showed a little more last time when tried in this headgear combination and finishing fifth of 15 at Wetherby (2m3f, good, Red Ochre third); 4lb wrong but that is more than negated by rider's claim.

25/1

Form: 899

Last run: 51 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Beat one modest finisher when winning the latest of five Irish points; has been a remote finisher in three 2m hurdles but has had wind surgery since last seen in January and has secured a very lowly mark for his handicap debut over a more suitable trip; could show far more today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

29th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 7f 149y

Class 5

13:15 Newcastle

Serious Mickey

10st 2lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Nicky Richards

Won Irish maiden point (3m, soft) last April; heavy defeats in Britain in three novice hurdles and, after wind surgery, beaten 20l when sixth of 15 on handicap debut at Hexham (near 3m, heavy) 13 days ago; he was well behind Pipers Cross in the latter and is 2lb out of the handicap today.

6/1

6th

14

16th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Serious Mickey

10st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Form of last April's Irish point win (3m, soft) hasn't worked out; three heavy defeats in slow-ground 2m hurdles since, and hopes likely rest as much on the wind surgery as the step back up in trip.

16/1

13

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 4f 100y

Class 5

14:00 Ayr

Serious Mickey

10st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Opened her account at the fifth attempt in Irish points; has poor claims on rules form (2m) but looks a possible improver now handicapping and upped to 2m4f on first run since wind surgery.

16/1

Verdict

Hattons Gardens is likely to appreciate this lesser stamina test after running over 3m in January while Agilulf (second choice) looks the type to progress further back in handicap company, but ZWICKY is going the right way himself and he can add to his Sedgefield win. Having A Barney can also be involved while Serious Mickey is one to keep an eye on from the bottom of the weights on his handicap debut.[Emily Weber]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Zwicky

RP Ratings:

Astroman

Daily Mirror:

Having A Barney

The Times:

Agilulf

The Star:

Serious Mickey

D Express:

Hattons Gardens

Telegraph:

Zwicky

Daily Record:

Zwicky

The Sun:

Having A Barney

Daily Mail:

Agilulf

POSTDATA:

Astroman

The Guardian:

Astroman