Horn Cape

Horn Cape kept on well to finish third in the two-mile-one-furlong handicap hurdle at Newcastle last Saturday, on ground that should have been faster than ideal for him. Weak in the market beforehand, he travelled well through his race for Richie McLernon, up on the outside and just behind the pace. Still travelling well when they straightened up for home, he was left in front when leader It's All About You made a bad mistake at the third last flight. Joined by Bust A Move and Big Boy Bobby on the run to the second last, he stuck to his task well, there were still three in a line when they rose to the final flight. He tired on the run-in, but he still finished a good third, well clear of the fourth horse.

Winner of this race last year off a mark of 124 when it was run on heavy ground, Horn Cape was well beaten on his debut this season at Kelso behind Saturday's Morebattle Hurdle winner Cracking Rhapsody, so this was a good step forward from that. Ben Haslam's horse proved here too that he was more than up to a mark of 132, and he will be of interest again if and when he can get back on some softer ground before the end of the season.

Newcastle, 22^nd February 2025