Fighting Fifth Hurdle Day Preview
A brilliant card for the Fighting Fifth Hurdle Day at Newcastle Racecourse on Saturday 28th November which includes the first G1 Hurdle Race of the season, the Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle at 2:05pm. Nicky Henderson’s Champion Hurdle winner Epatante aims to give the trainer his sixth success in the race. Racing gets underway at 11:45am with a 2 mile Juvenile Hurdle. We've pulled together some insider insights in association with Tote to give you a preview of the day's races.
The going, as of Thursday, was GOOD with dry weather forecast.
11:45am – 2m Juvenile Hurdle
Castel Gandolfo ran second on his hurdle debut at Musselburgh earlier this month for Fergal O’Brien and should come on for the run. Evan Williams’ State Crown came third at Ludlow last time and can be expected to go close. The highest rated flat runners without a hurdle run are Station To Station for Brian Ellison and Maurice Barnes’ My Macho Man.
12:20pm – 2m4f Handicap Chase
Cedar Hill comes into this after two comfortable wins at Kelso and looks the one to beat. James Ewart’s course and distance winner Ascot De Bruyere makes his season debut and would like to see some rain. Brian Ellison’s Oscar Ceremony won round here last time out in March and goes well fresh, a big run is expected.
12:55pm – 2m6f Novices’ Hurdle
Le Cheval Noir won at Carlisle earlier this month beating Tupelo Mississippi into secondand despite a weight disadvantage today Rose Dobbin’s runner should come out on top. The well thought of Getaround weakened at the last when fourth at Lingfield in the soft and should show better form on good going today.
1:30pm – 2m7f Novices’ Handicap Chase
Aye Aye Charlie ran well when second on his reappearance at Hereford last month and is fancied to go one better for Fergal O’Brien. Sandy Thompson’s The Ferry Master won comfortably at Kelso last time and could go close if acting on the ground. Oscar Robertson and Court Dreaming could also be in the reckoning in this competitive handicap.
2:05pm – 2m Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle
Nicky Henderson’s high class Champion Hurdle winner Epatante is expected to give the trainer his sixth success in the race. Sceau Royal comfortably won the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton for Alan King and looks set for another big run. Last year’s surprise winner Cornerstone Lad would like to see some rain but comes here in good heart after winning on the flat 3 weeks ago. Silver Streak for Evan Williams and Nicky Richards’ Ribble Valley are in good form and could push for a place.
2:40pm – 2m Maiden Hurdle
Donald McCain’s Presentandcounting is the form choice after a decent effort in finishing third at Cheltenham in October. Ewood Park was staying on when unseating his rider at Wetherby last time and is expected to go well today. Brian Ellison’s Largy Mouth must be respected after two decent efforts in Bumpers last season.
3:15pm – 2m7f Handicap Chase
Pym won well for Nicky Henderson at Sandown 3 weeks ago and should be in the mix today. The Butcher Said has been running consistently in Novice Chases this season, winning at Southwell and Bangor, another good run is expected. Henry Daly’s Whatmore comes here after an excellent second at Ascot on his seasonal debut and should come on for the run. Last year’s winner Takingrisks would need to return to that form to be in with a chance today.
Suggested Tote Placepot:
Race 1 (11:45) – 1 Castel Gandolfo / 6 State Crown
Race 2 (12:20) – 4 Cedar Hill / 8 Oscar Ceremony
Race 3 (12:55) – 4 Le Cheval Noir
Race 4 (1:30) – 2 The Ferry Master / 3 Aye Aye Charlie
Race 5 (2:05) – 7 Epatante
Race 6 (2:40) – 5 Largy Mouth / 8 Presentandcounting
Suggested perm 2x2x1x2x1x2 = 16 bets @ £1 per bet = £16 total stake
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