16:45 Newcastle
Wednesday 25 January 2017
All16:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:45
sunbets.co.uk Apprentice Handicap
- 4YO plus  |  Class 6  |  1m 5y  |  Standard  |  12 Runners  |  Allweather  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 16:47Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 1m 41.16s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Hasn't shown a great deal for his new trainer in five starts since leaving Richard Fahey after finishing second in a seller in October, and refused to race at Wolverhampton on Monday.
Maiden who had an aborted spell over hurdles in September and October, who has seen his AW mark fall over the past few months, and wasn't beaten far in third after racing prominently over slightly further at Wolverhampton recently. This expensive cast off (300,000 Guineas Yearling) should be capable of more from a basement mark of 54.
Landed a moderate Class 6 Classified Stakes over 7f here in mid December for this rider, and had shown previous form here over shorter trips. Steps upto 1m for the first time since June 2016, and possibly more experienced to handle the trip nowadays, but doubts will remain until that is definitely shown on the track.
Beaten a length here by Justice Pleasing in mid December, with that effort just a week after a placed run over 6f here behind Suni Dancer. Has tended to under-perform in handicaps overall and doesn't boast a great win ratio, with question marks over the suitability of this trip more than valid.
An eight time winner on turf, but an AW maiden, and back from almost 15 months off the track here, and at the age of ten, others readily preferred.
Produced a dismal showing over this C&D in early November (last of 14), but bounced back after a short break to post a solid effort at Kempton last week when a runner up over 7f to Whaleweigh Station. In his second spell with this trainer who clearly knows how to get the best out of him, but doubts about his effectiveness over a stiff mile, with 7f (a specialised trip) seemingly ideal.
Landed a 1m Southwell classified claimer for Andrew Balding in March 2016 (stayed on well), but has lost his way badly for new connections. Given a chance here dropped a further 5lbs, but little to be enthusiastic about given his regressive profile.
Sole win from 25 starts came over 7f at Ayr in September 2015 (off a mark of 53), but bounced back to form off a short break at big odds when narrowly beaten over C&D in December by Leonard Thomas. Not disgraced next time when sixth over 7f, and a contender here in a weak race.
Has won on the turf and over hurdles, but is a maiden in seven starts so far on the AW. Takes a massive drop in trip here from previous two course AW runs in October and December which coupled with a basement mark of 51 could help based upon his best form over nine and ten furlongs in the summer of 2015.
Won a ten furlong course Apprentices handicap for this rider in October 2016 and races here from just a 1lb higher mark. That was followed up by another win at Wolverhampton (about this trip), but placed just once in seven subsequent races. However, that run was on his last start at Wolverhampton where he finished well after dwelling and this stiffer track will suit. Leading chance.
Off since August 2016, and a nine race maiden, with just the one AW start so far (at Wolverhampton). Placed from this kind of mark at Thirsk in July (7f) but questions to answer at this trip.
Ex Irish (unraced), but steadily regressed over a couple of seasons for this yard, but does at least have a victory on tapeta to his name, coming off a 1lb higher mark over just in excess of a mile in March 2015. Drops back two furlongs here after racing over further when sixth of 14 in the first ever Class 7 contest held here on Tapeta earlier this month.
Forecasts
Mr Sundowner (9/2), Mount Cheiron (9/2), Yasood (6/1), Devious Spirit (13/2), Afkar (7/1), Justice Pleasing (7/1), Haymarket (14/1), Canford Belle (16/1), A Boy Named Sue (16/1), Breathless (16/1), Patron of Explores (33/1), Frontline Phantom (66/1)
Very poor fare which can potentially go the way of MOUNT CHERION. This six-year-old is a course winner for this rider in October 2016, and shouldn't be overly troubled by dropping back in trip to this stiff mile from just a 1lb higher mark than when winning over 1m2f. He ran well at around this trip last time at Wolverhampton and this race lacks depth, with many of his rivals much better suited by the specialist distance of seven furlongs. At much bigger odds, Haymarket has a talented rider booked and could be seen in a much better light over this shorter trip.
1. Mount Cheiron
2. Mr Sundowner
3. Haymarket
Prize Money
1st: £2,264.002nd: £674.003rd: £337.004th: £168.00
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