18:15 Newcastle
Saturday 4 February 2017
All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45
32Red Casino Handicap
- 3YO only | Class 5 | 6f | Standard | 7 Runners | Allweather | Weighed In
- Off time: 18:16 | Winning time: 1m 12.97s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Beat Arzaak by a neck on his third start in a 6f Chelmsford maiden just before Christmas, and meets that rival tonight on 2lb worse terms. Not able to follow up in either of his three starts in handicap company last month (all from this mark of 77), and therefore could be seen as a shade vulnerable to any lurking improving sorts, but there aren't too many of those in this race.
Ex Irish trained sprinter (Ger Lyons), who sold for 16,000 Guineas at Newmarket in October 2016. Immediately repaid new connections by getting off the mark by a neck in a 6f maiden at Lingfield last month. Useful claimer booked for handicap debut on this differing surface.
Closely matched with Alkashaaf on their Chelmsford meeting in December, but has now been a beaten favourite on four occasions. Trainer has done well at this track since the switch to Tapeta, and whilst respected, a mark of 75 on his handicap debut doesn't appeal as a blindingly attractive one.
Eight race maiden who has finished runner up three times, but does have form closely linked with Wednesday's winner Espresso Freddo. Should be suited by dropping back to 6f.
Landed a moderate small field 6f nursery at Catterick in August on his sixth start and again ran well when a runner up at Hamilton two weeks later. Not so good on his final turf start in September, and has an absence to overcome on just his second AW start (for a stable in form) from a 4lb higher mark than that winning one from Catterick.
No stranger to this track, and seems suited by the galloping aspect of this Tapeta surface, having been placed here on three occasions (twice runner up). He was unable to get to grips with the front running Spinwheel over 7f here last week (third ran adequately since), and is worth chancing back over this shorter trip from a reasonable mark of 67.
Seven race maiden, who tries a first time hood tonight. Whilst he finished a runner up at Wolverhampton (this trip) early last month, he's broadly been a disappointment, and needs to do more to get off the mark tonight on his first visit to this track.
Forecasts
Alkashaaf (9/4), Jack Flash (7/2), Hotfill (4/1), Arzaak (7/1), Things Happen (7/1), Mr Strutter (11/1), Trick Of The Lyte (12/1)
There is little to choose at the weights between Alkashaaf and Arzaak, but one can't help but feel the former is the more straightforward horse, and therefore more likely to run his race. Jack Flash switches to Tapeta, having seemingly been shrewdly acquired by Les Eyre and is much respected, but a chance is taken with the 67 rated HOTFILL who handles this course well and should be suited by dropping back in trip to 6f assuming the gallop is a decent one.
1. Hotfill
2. Alkashaaf
3. Jack Flash
Prize Money
1st: £3,558.002nd: £1,059.003rd: £529.004th: £265.00
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