18:15 Newcastle
Wednesday 25 January 2017
All16:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:45
Betway Best Odds Guaranteed Plus Handicap
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  6f  |  Standard  |  7 Runners  |  Allweather  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 18:15Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 1m 12.81s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Five time winner on the AW from 14 starts on synthetics, and notched a rapid double at Chelmsford (6f & 7f) in late November. Handicapper has slowed that progress in three races since but also had the misfortune to meet the progressive Mithqaal last time. 5lb claim of Lulu Stanford will be helpful on Newcastle and Tapeta debut.
Likes to boss matters from the front as when successful at Pontefract in September, and on his AW debut at Chelmsford in early December. Life has been a shade tougher from this new mark of 85, but clear contender and this is weaker than the Class 3 contest in which he finished fourth in over C&D late last month (form solid). Wears first time visor.
First time blinkered gelding who landed a pair of 5f turf handicaps in August (Catterick & Hamilton) who has generally raced over further since, with the exception of a moderate effort here over the minimum trip on Saturday. Turned out quickly back to 6f, but others hold more compelling claims.
Bought by Paul Midgley for 16,000 Guineas in October 2016 and makes stable debut having previously been with Michael Dods. Produced the best of his three runs on this surface on his final start for Dods when beaten a neck by the cosy winner Spanish City over C&D in October. Races from a 3lb higher mark with absence to overcome.
Has won on this surface (on debut at Wolverhampton in December 2014), and returned from a seven month break since winning at Catterick in June 2016, with a fair sixth of eight over C&D earlier this month (Salvatore Fury fifth). Likely to improve for the run.
Won twice on the AW for David Elsworth, but slow progress for Ruth Carr since returning from a 13 month break in September. AW mark has fallen sharply, and much better last time when nearest at the finish over 7f behind Dutch Art Dealer earlier this month. Drops back in trip today.
The absolute model of consistency at this track since October, but has inched up the weights for a string of placed efforts. Deserving of finding a race, with previous form franked by Poppy In The Wind and Fredricka but arguably ever so slightly sharper over 5f than 6f. Likeable sort.
Forecasts
Captain Dion (11/8), Dark Side Dream (9/2), Buccaneers Vault (6/1), Pearl Spectre (13/2), Merdon Castle (7/1), Salvatore Fury (16/1), Luis Vaz De Torres (20/1)
A reasonable contest despite the small field, and whilst front running is difficult to master at this track, Kevin Stott rides Newcastle better than most, so it's worth chancing CAPTAIN DION can find that shade extra from this higher mark in the first time visor and record another success. Luiz Vaz De Torres will be sharper for a recent comeback run, whilst Dark Side Dream is ultra consistent and Merdon Castle is becoming increasingly well handicapped.
1. Captain Dion
2. Merdon Castle
3. Luis Vaz De Torres
Prize Money
1st: £5,041.002nd: £1,509.003rd: £754.004th: £378.005th: £188.00
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