16:10 Newcastle
Monday 23 January 2017
All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:10
Straightline Construction Handicap Chase
- 5YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 75y | Soft (Good to Soft in places) | 9 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 4m 22.90s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Beaten a neck by Halcyon Days at Ayr in October (Good) over this trip and meets that rival on much better terms here. However, beaten twice since at Bangor (over further) and needs to bounce back, with a moderate career win ratio over fences (1 from 22).
C&D winner here (February 2016) and has run many good races over fences at this track since, including when looking the likely winner in April 2016 but for a dramatic unseat at the final open ditch four out. Whilst he doesn't find a lot off the bridle, he was a decisive scorer for this rider off a 6lbs lower mark at Kelso last month, and last start aside (at Wetherby) can usually be relied upon to run his race.
Ex Irish (Arthur Moore), who has made four starts in the UK for these new connections since November. An opening mark of 121 was too high and ran adequately upto a point off 114 at Ayr in December before struggling throughout (not fluent) at Kelso last time. Now rated just 105 and worth a glance for market support with owners also sponsoring this race.
A fluent fencer at his best, and anyone who witnessed him score with authority at Catterick in February 2015 would be amazed that he's not registered a single success since almost two years later. Handicap mark slipping (down to 103) and should be sharper than for his reappearance at Sedgefield on Boxing Day. A live contender if allowed a soft lead.
Won a 3m Irish PTP (Good to Firm) in April 2016, and picked up by Sue Smith for £31,000 at Doncaster in May. Tough tasks in three starts over hurdles (fourth here to Elgin in November), but only fifth on rules chase (handicap) debut over 2m5f at Market Rasen on Boxing Day. Capable of better dropped 4lbs to a mark of 101.
In tip top order this winter, recording three victories over fences at Ayr, Hexham and Carlisle, but has climbed from a mark of 83 to 100 for those successes. Back from a short break and respected, but has it all to do strictly on the book with Supreme Asset on Ayr running in October.
Gritty winner here over 2m4f earlier this month, but that success as much down to the runner up chucking the race in from the last as anything else, yet can be relied upon to run his race, but is up another 6lbs as he continues to climb the weights.
Sole success over hurdles came at Perth in September 2015, and pulled up on chase debut here in December (behind Maxed Out King), but better next time at Kelso (led before weakening) when third to Rosquero. Needs to produce more to reverse those placings.
Admirable old timer who adores Newcastle and has won four times here over fences, and ran well on seasonal bow at Sedgefield in November (second), but lacked the same sparkle there next time on Boxing Day. Whilst it would be some story to see him have one final hurrah at Gosforth Park, others hold much stronger claims.
Forecasts
Nomoreblackjack (5/2), Halcyon Days (9/2), Supreme Asset (5/1), Uno Valoroso (7/1), Harleys Max (7/1), Treat Yourself (11/1), Pamak D'airy (12/1), Welcome Ben (14/1), Rosquero (16/1)
A tricky race to assess with Halcyon Days remaining in good order despite the attentions of the handicapper. Similar comments apply to Harleys Max, who will find it tough to follow up a recent success over further back at this minimum trip, whilst Rosquero generally performs well at this track. Treat Yourself could well be the market springer, but a sporting chance is taken with UNO VALOROSO who could be tough to peg back if getting loose and jumping well off the front end.
1. Uno Valoroso
2. Treat Yourself
3. Halcyon Days
Prize Money
1st: £3,769.002nd: £1,107.003rd: £553.004th: £277.00
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