19:45 Newcastle

Friday 27 January 2017

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Sunbets Handicap

Off time: 19:47 | Winning time: 1m 26.29s

(3)

Harry Holland^h⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Milly Naseb⁽⁷⁾| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 62

5/2

A short head winner of a 7f Apprentices handicap at Lingfield last week for Milly Naseb (just held on) and runs here unpenalised from a mark of 62. Largely out of form prior to that success (had dropped in the weights) but has won over 1m in the past (all on Polytrack) so 7f on this stiffer track should in theory be fine.

Form: 000079

(1)

Oak Bluffs⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 59

15/2

Consistent since his return to the track at Musselburgh in October (second) with his best AW run coming at Newcastle over a mile late last month in a race run at a muddling pace when third to The Magic Pencil. Races from a 9lb lower AW mark (58) to turf (67).

Form: 424265

(6)

Black Hambleton²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: P Mulrennan| T: B Smart| OR: 58

25/1

66/1, dwelt and always in rear on his return from a seven month break over 7f at Southwell earlier this month. Little to enthuse about but down to a handicap low of 58.

Form: 3660/0-9

(8)

Cool Strutter^b²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Gemma Tutty⁽⁵⁾| T: K Tutty| OR: 57

11/2

C&D winner in September from a 1lb higher mark but has raced here now on each of his last six starts, and whilst broadly consistent tends to get going all too late to be involved in the shake up. Reasonable place prospects.

Form: 3-65653

(2)

Justice Pleasing^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Ben Sanderson⁽⁷⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 55

10/1

C&D winner here last month, but that win came in a Classified Stakes (admittedly this isn't much stronger), but did race too keenly here on Wednesday over 1m in an Apprentices handicap (not able to confirm placings with Canford Belle). Drop back to this trip should suit.

Form: 054261

(11)

Mr Potter^e/s⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: R C Guest| OR: 54

7/4

Has run consistently since posting three solid efforts here in November (twice a runner up, and a C&D winner from a mark of 52). Although beaten in each of his last three starts, including on Saturday when fourth over 1m to Orlando Rogue, he will likely be suited by this drop in trip with Danny Tudhope taking over in the saddle. Now just 1lb above his last winning mark and holds an obvious chance.

Form: 392214

(4)

Miss Uppity³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: T Eaves| T: I Furtado| OR: 48

66/1

Ex Robert Cowell, but has shown little in three starts in handicaps for this trainer which were spread over a period of seven months. A drop in trip might help, as will a basement mark of 48, but her debut third at Windsor in October 2015 seems a distant memory now.

Form: 368/900-

(7)

George Bailey⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Nathan Evans⁽³⁾| T: Suzzanne France| OR: 48

16/1

A winner for Bryan Smart on turf in July 2015 and twice placed for this trainer later that year, but struggled through the bulk of 2016 until a minor improvement over C&D the last twice. Work to do with both Mr Potter and Justice Pleasing and always vulnerable to a finisher given his prominent style of racing.

Form: 054-677

(12)

Jessie Allan²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Joe Doyle| T: J S Goldie| OR: 47

25/1

Very little promise in eleven starts (at big prices) before finishing fourth here at odds of 200/1 to The Magic Pencil (Oak Bluffs third). Likely flattered by that effort as the race was run at a muddling pace, and easily passed over.

Form: 794864

(10)

Sandstream^h,t¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Jason Hart| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 45

33/1

Little chance (or promise) in three runs in maidens and one run in a claimer. Does hold track experience over trips ranging from 6f to 1m, but a mark of 43 about sums up his ability.

Form: 7-73875

Non-Runners

(5)

Ada Misobel⁷

Weight: 9-2| Age: 4

T: G Moss J: Lewis Edmunds

(9)

Secret Lightning⁴⁵

Weight: 8-12| Age: 5

T: M Appleby J: A Mullen

Forecasts

Mr Potter (7/4), Harry Holland (5/2), Cool Strutter (11/2), Oak Bluffs (15/2), Justice Pleasing (10/1), Ada Misobel (10/1), George Bailey (16/1), Secret Lightning (20/1), Black Hambleton (25/1), Jessie Allan (25/1), Sandstream (33/1), Miss Uppity (66/1)

There is no doubting that MR POTTER is a quirky sort who very much needs the run of the race and some cajoling from the saddle, but he has run consistently well here for a number of months, and promises to be suited by dropping back to 7f in a very winnable contest. George Bailey is likely to set the race up for Mr Potter and Danny Tudhope, with the likes of the unpenalised Harry Holland, Cool Strutter and Justice Pleasing all holding reasonable place prospects. 1. Mr Potter 2. Harry Holland 3. Cool Strutter