Three runners at Newcastle, Tuesday

But first, taking stock for a moment.......(sigh)......

Advance going is good to soft (soft places) and since the AW track was installed, it seldom gets much softer at Newcastle.

We kick off for the yard in the 2m 4½f novices hurdle at 1.00 pm with Undecided. After a wind op during the summer months (remember those?), Undecided was a bit unfortunate to pick up a minor leg knock which has delayed his hurdling debut until now. He'll be one of the outsiders in this field. Conor O'Farrell steps in for the ride for The Buyers Club.

A fair bit of form around, with that of Rebecca's ex-Irish Hasty Brook (a hurdle winner on debut) possibly the best on view but such form is not always transferrable immediately to racing across the sea. Donna's Double is also a previous winner and likewise has to give away 7lb to most of the field.
Skelton sends up the twice-placed-over-hurdles, Irish-Point-winner, first-time-after-a wind-op Hidden Heroics, one of 3 on the day for the yard. Make that of it what you will.

There's quite a buzz around for Tfou from Nicky's Greystoke yard and he did run well when runner-up on debut in a bumper, albeit showing signs of immaturity.

Of the remainder Tough Out from the recently relocated Borders' yard of Jackie Stephen ran a very fine race on Rules debut when 3rd to a couple of Ewart's useful novice hurdlers and may well go very close here. Craig rides Irish Point winner Whelan's Bridge for Rose.

Mmnnn......this is a nice race which looks to contain any number of future winners.

Undecided (Zoe) tracks Eternally Yours (Georgina)

Division 1 of the novices' handicap hurdle at 2.05 over the same trip sees what should have been a maximum field size of 16 compete (there is one non). The 2nd division at 2.40 also has a maximum of 16. There has been much criticism of trainers when field sizes are low but if the races are framed to suit the racehorse population, trainers do enter up. These are both 0-100 rated events, the lowest of grades in National Hunt racing.

Kinerton Hill tries to follow on from his close second at Wetherby over a similar distance 3 weeks ago, and faces not only his conqueror that day (Trac) but the likes of the lightly-raced Thunder In Milan, Get With It and Everyday Champagne. He's a promising, chasing sort who may not quite be best suited by a faster surface today, but he's improving nicely at present.

Callum Bewley is once again in the saddle for Simon & Angela Gillie. Good luck to all.

Kinerton Hill (Callum)

So onto the last race on he card, the bumper.

Paper Tiger ran a nice enough introductory race at Wetherby on pretty testing going to finish 7th of 10. She should appreciate the sounder surface here, and Craig is again in the saddle in the TD9 Racing colours. Good luck to Greg and Ian - enjoy the day.

Usual mixture of impressive Point-to-Point form, previous bumper form and eye-catching bumper-winning pedigrees on show.

Skelton's Fancy Stuff will carry a winner's 7lb penalty but that weight can often be a leveler. She appears well thought of as does Nicky's Rose of Siena who has been placed twice in two previous outings.
A trio of mares with Irish Point form - winners Kilbarry Leader and Criquette plus the thrice placed I Am Gonna Be. Betting Market may be best guide but Criquette may come out on top of this trio.

Of the unraced in the field, Chocca Mocha's pedigree stands out being by Midnight Legend out of a winning daughter of the smart bumper/hurdler Chomba Womba. Although Brian does ride Rose of Siena......

If not quite out of the top drawer, this is nevertheless a very competitive affair.

Paper Tiger (Laura)