Waiting Patiently and Rock On The Moor among Thursday tips for Newcastle and Warwick

Hi Bob ran really well when runner-up on seasonal reappearance and can go one better to land an overdue success in the 2m 4f handicap hurdle (13:10).

This eight-year-old was last successful over two years ago when winning a handicap chase off a mark of 92 when in the care of Lucinda Egerton.

Hi Bob then failed to sparkle in eight subsequent starts over the larger obstacles, but there was lot to like about his run at Sedgefield six says ago when chasing home Robben in a handicap hurdle on his first start for new handler Kenneth Slack.

The gelding made good headway three from home, sticking to the task well to be beaten 10 lengths and it was a huge step back in the right direction.

Hi Bob is able to race in this off an unchanged mark of just 74 and that gives him major claims from a handicapping perspective, given that he was once rated as high as 100 over hurdles.

Newcastle tips for Thursday, December 8

12.10: Ballycrystal
12.40: Waiting Patiently (NAP)
13.10: Hi Bob (NB)
13.45: Money Maid
14.20: Catchthemoonlight
14.50: Captain Hox
15.25: Thomas Do

Rock On The Moor bets hold solid claims at Warwick

Irish raider Rock On The Moor looks the answer to a cracking 2m 4f Listed mares’ novices’ handicap chase on a competitive card at Warwick (13:20).

The Jessica Harrington trained eight-year-old was a dual winner over hurdles, also posting a career-best effort at the Cheltenham Festival back in March when a superb 2 3/4 length second of 19 to Vroum Vroum Mag in the Grade 1 OLBG Mares’ Hurdle.

That is strong form which saw Rock On The Moor end the campaign on a hurdles rating of 140, and there was lots to like about her chasing debut return to action in a Geade 3 contest at Clonmel last month when third to Westerner Lady.

After chasing the leaders and jumping well, Rock On The Moor disputed the lead two from home until being unable to find an extra on the run-in to be beaten three lengths.

It was a very promising debut which suggested the the daughter of Flemsfirth should be capable of winning plenty of decent prizes over the larger obstacles.

Rock On The Moor is also entitled to come on a bundle for the outing, her first in 201 days and, with Robbie Power in the saddle, she looks the one to beat.

Westend Story to take centre stage on hurdles debut

Westend Story makes his eagerly awaited debut over the obstacles in the 2m 5f maiden hurdle (12:50) and is strongly fancied to make it a winning one.

Trained by Philip Hobbs, the five-year-old won his first two starts in bumpers at Huntingdon and Exeter last season in facile fashion.

Connections then decided to pitch him in at the deep end and Westend Story ran a stormer to finish fifth of 22 to Ballyandy in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper over 2m at the Cheltenham Festival back in March.

The son of Westerner stayed on strongly after getting outpaced three furlongs from home to be nearest at the finish and beaten just 3 1/2 lengths.

It was a performance which suggested he had the potential to make up into a smart hurdler, especially when stepped up in trip.

This stamina test looks ideal for Westend Story and, with the stable in fine form plus champion jockey Richard Johnson in the saddle, he can take this en route to much better things.

Warwick tips for Thursday, December 8

12.20: Spader
12.50: Westend Story (NB)
13.20: Rock On The Moor (NAP)
13.55: Bears Rails
14.30: Magic Mustard
15.00: Mercian King
15.35: An Siltean

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