Newcastle Preview: Some Lad weighted to go well

In-form chaser Some Lad looks weighted to take all the beating now switched back to hurdles in the 2m contest at Newcastle today (1.20).

The Alison Hamilton trained gelding comes into race at the top of his game having showed terrific battling qualities to land a 2m 1f handicap chase at Kelso off a mark of 92 before finishing a solid second last time out at the same venue off 95.

The nine-year-old is able to race off a rating of just 88 now switched back to hurdles, and that is just 2lb higher than when Some Lad registered his last success over the smaller obstacles.
That win came over course and distance, and makes the son of Beneficial look very well-treated in what looks a very winnable class 5 contest.

Some Lad’s main market rivals Dalstontosiloth and Mad For Road both found little off the bridle last time out and look far from straightforward, and in a race lacking any real strength the selections’ credentials look rock solid.

In the 2m 4f handicap hurdle (2.20), Lilly’s Legend looks potentially well-treated on her bumper form and can go well at a big price.

The Mark Walford trained filly has yet to cut any ice in four runs over hurdles, but showed ability when placed in two bumpers and could prove a different proposition now tackling handicaps for the first time.
The four-year-old was well-backed when making her debut in a bumper at this venue and finishing a staying on two length third to Starplex, and the third home Bulas Belle has gone on to score over hurdles and is now rated 118.

The fifth home Boruma has also gone on to win a handicap hurdle off 105 and that makes Lilly’s Legend’s opening handicap mark of 82 look very exploitable.
Connections are also now fitting Lilly’s Legend with cheek-pieces for the first time, and if they have the desired effect it would be no surprise to see the daughter of Midnight Legend put in a much improved performance.

Western Rules created a huge impression when making a winning debut at the track and can make light of a penalty to follow-up in the bumper that closes proceedings (3.20).
The four-year-old travelled ominously well the the rear of the field before making smooth headway to take up the running inside the final furlong to win going away by 3 1/4 lengths from Innis Shannon.

It was a performance which suggested the well-bred son of Westerner was a very exciting prospect who had a massive future, and it will be disappointing if the Nicky Richards’ trained gelding doesn’t take this before going on to much better things.