Timeform highlight a couple of races that look like strong form for the grade and should work out well.
Friday 13 January
Newcastle, 5f handicap
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Form that's worth viewing positively for the grade, Elzaal quickening up well to account for another last-time-out winner.
Elzaal may have been easy enough to back after four months off, but had no problem picking up where left off when last seen, making light work of a small rise for that C&D success; waited with, travelled smoothly, going well when had to pick way through approaching final furlong, quickened to lead final 100 yds, kept on; looks up to completing the hat-trick.
Enraged shaped well bidding to complete a hat-trick after six months off, still races to be won with her from similar marks; mid-field, quickened to lead entering final furlong, headed soon after, no match for winner; will remain of plenty of interest.
Rose Bandit shaped as if back in form; steadied at the start, held up, travelled smoothly, good headway over a furlong out, kept on.
Golden Prosperity ran creditably; held up, good headway under two furlongs out, stayed on final furlong.
Rockley Point, who's being kept busy, again ran creditably; led, shaken up under two furlongs out, headed final furlong, faded.
Tathmeen wasn't seen to best effect; waited with, going well when not clear run approaching final furlong, not given at all a hard time.
Embla, strong in the betting, again ran below form; tracked pace, driven two furlongs out, weakened final furlong.
Burtonlodge Beauty offered little after 11 weeks off; slowly into stride, in rear, never landed a blow.
Annie Rose fared no better in first-time visor; awkward leaving stalls, prominent, dropped away final furlong.
Lancashire Life continues to show little; mid-division, beaten a furlong out.
Sunday 15 January
Southwell, 6f handicap
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Discover Sporting Life Plus BenefitsA strong handicap for the grade, plenty to like about the thriving winner who brushed aside a couple of consistent rivals, while there was some promise from a couple further back that are working their way back to form.
Justcallmepete, well backed, goes from strength to strength and completed the hat-trick with almost as much in hand despite a 7 lb rise in the weights, the recent application of blinkers having enabled him to hold a more prominent position than had been the case previously and there's every reason to think he can make his mark in better handicaps than this on all-weather; in touch, travelled fluently, pushed along two furlongs out, led over a furlong out, drew clear final furlong, had plenty in hand; will remain of plenty of interest.
Intervention ran well with the drop back in trip in his favour, understandably having his work cut out with the thriving winner; mid-field, raced freely, headway under pressure over a furlong out, kept on, no match for winner; likely to continue in form.
Shalaa Asker was better drawn this time and ran creditably; held up, headway a furlong out, kept on, nearest at the finish; should remain competitive.
Minesbiggerthanurs ran creditably, his mark not especially attractive, but he's still lightly raced and did at least back up his reappearance effort; led until over a furlong out, weakened final furlong.
Wyvern did well on all-weather last winter and shaped with plenty of promise having been easy to back returning from seven months off, his mark having dropped due to a poor turf campaign and this effort marks him down as one that is likely to strike again before too long, with the return to seven furlongs unlikely to inconvenience; poorly drawn, in rear, outpaced two furlongs out, switched wide over a furlong out, kept on, nearest at the finish; one to bear in mind.
Asadjumeirah has been given a chance by the handicapper but was easy to back and wasn't disgraced after 13 weeks off (had breathing operation); in touch, ridden two furlongs out, weakened final furlong; likely to be better for the run
The Green Man, without the headgear this time, looked rusty after four months off; slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along over two furlongs out, plugged on; likely to be better for the run.
Straits Of Moyle, again ran below form; mid-field, headway two furlongs out, weakened final furlong.
Airshow is best when dominating so had work cut out from a wide draw, possibly still needing this run also; poorly drawn, prominent, ridden over two furlongs out, weakened a furlong out.
The Thin Blue Line fared no better; mid-field, ridden over two furlongs out, weakened over a furlong out.
Embour again ran poorly; steadied at the start, always behind.
Westmorian didn't give his running in pursuit of the hat-trick; prominent, ridden over a furlong out, found nothing.
Motawaazy ran poorly back up in trip; raced wide, in rear, made little impression.
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