N.H. racing at Newcastle

Although the flat season officially opened at Doncaster this weekend, jumps racing will continue to hog the headlines this week with the Grand National meeting at Aintree beginning on Thursday. However today´s jumps meeting at Newcastle is very low-key, although there are some large fields. The novice hurdle at 16.40 should mainly concern the two last-time-out winners Presque Perdre (George Moore/ Barry Keniry) and Dancing Dik (Chris Grant/ Lucy Horner).

The top-weight General Hardi (John Wade/ Brian Hughes) in the 3 mile handicap chase at 17.10 is clearly the form choice, but it should not be overlooked that he is still a maiden after 23 starts. There are 17 runners in the 2 mile handicap hurdle at 17.40 and several of them met last time out. Karmadice (Tjade Collier), from Sue Smith´s in-form stable, made all the running to win 3 weeks ago at Sedgefield from Bob´s Dream, Sandali (5th) and Follow On (6th) who all reoppose on better terms today. Karmadice is lightly-raced and can improve further, but also has new opponents today in Viscount Rossini (Steve Gollings/ Rhys Flint) and Treeko (PA Koirby/ James Reveley), the only 4yo in the field and running in his first handicap off a very lenient rating.