19:45 Newcastle

Saturday 4 February 2017

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

sunbets.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 19:45 | Winning time: 1m 27.40s

(8)

Shamaheart^p¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: G A Harker| OR: 83

33/1

AW maiden (0 from 7) and off for a couple of months since finishing seventh of 13 at Newcastle over a mile in early November. A six time winner on turf between 7f and 1m who was in good form at the tail end of the turf season and still has scope on the AW, but a mark of 83 is the likely barrier to success.

Form: 7-05757

(13)

War Department^v¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Connor Beasley| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 83

5/1

C&D winner from a 13lb lower mark in August 2016, but has held his form well since, with solid placed course form from marks of 79 and 82 towards the back-end of 2016. A shade below par at Kempton recently, but better switched back here despite the elevated mark for win purposes.

Form: 389623

(7)

Safe Voyage²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 83

5/1

Goes in search of a quick hat-trick having scored twice over C&D late last month. An 8lb rise looks fair, and Lexington Times (who he beat last time) ran well at Kempton on Wednesday. Likes to make all.

Form: U5-1102

(1)

Young John²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 82

14/1

C&D winner off this mark (82) in November when beating the subsequently progressive Holiday Magic (War Department sixth). However, his form has tailed off in four starts since (all Class 3), and needs this drop back in grade and return to this track to spark a revival.

Form: 167-409

(4)

Shypen²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 80

8/1

A dual 6f winner in September and October at Yarmouth and Wolverhampton, but has been hit hard by the handicapper as a result. She did run well at Lingfield three starts back off a mark of 79, and with her seeming to favour a straight track (twice a Yarmouth winner) is worth a chance at this venue.

Form: 4-83615

(10)

Testa Rossa^b¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Lewis Edmunds⁽⁵⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 80

4/1

Has thrived over a mile at this track during the AW season winning four races and seeing his mark rise by 18lb since his first success in October. Will need a truly run race over this trip, and was never nearer over further last time.

Form: 450391

(6)

Revolutionary War⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: D C Costello| T: J A Osborne| OR: 79

10/1

French import who bounced back from an odds-on UK debut defeat to lead in the final strides and break the maiden tag over 1m at Lingfield late last month. He has been dropped 1b (and a furlong in trip) after finishing fifth of 12 on his handicap debut at Kempton just last week.

Form: 233-2

(5)

Bint Arcano²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Joe Doyle| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 79

8/1

Stable saddled a winner at this track on Wednesday, and this filly seeks a double having scored with ease over this trip from a 6lb lower mark in a fillies handicap at Wolverhampton early last month (third run well since). This looks tougher, but that was her first start in three months, and she does have previous experience of this track.

Form: 3-16147

(12)

Like No Other^p1³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Phil Dennis⁽⁵⁾| T: J L Eyre| OR: 79

20/1

Shock C&D winner (16/1) in June from a 10lb lower mark who appeared to enjoy a return to this track in mid December when finishing a runner upto Al Khan from just a 1lb lower mark (War Department third). However, he disappointed here last time early in 2017, and runs in the first time cheek-pieces after a month off the track. Mark looks high enough, hence the use of claimer Phil Dennis.

Form: 702-809

(11)

Free Code¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: P Makin| T: T D Barron| OR: 78

12/1

One time decent turf handicapper (won on grass at Newcastle in May 2015), who despite being 0 from 5 on the AW has seen his mark fall a few pounds so can't be easily discounted. His last visit to this track in June 2016 was off a mark of 88 in a Class 2 handicap, so from a mark of 78 in this Class 4 handicap, he makes some appeal.

Form: 950705

(9)

Merdon Castle^e/s¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: J Garritty| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 77

16/1

Possibly found the drop to 6f against him last time, and may now be suited by longer trips as he gets slightly older. Had shown more previously at this track over 7f (nearest at the finish), but overall others have stronger claims.

Form: 070-499

(2)

Curzon Line¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: Nathan Evans⁽³⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 74

14/1

Chelmsford regular (easy three length winner from a mark of 66 in mid November), but not disgraced on Newcastle debut when third to Safe Voyage over C&D latest. Much better off at the weights with that rival now so every chance of reversing those placings tonight.

Form: 17-3275

Non-Runners

(3)

Handsome Dude⁴⁹

Weight: 9-6| Age: 5

T: T D Barron J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Testa Rossa (4/1), War Department (5/1), Safe Voyage (5/1), Shypen (8/1), Bint Arcano (8/1), Revolutionary War (10/1), Free Code (12/1), Curzon Line (14/1), Young John (14/1), Merdon Castle (16/1), Handsome Dude (16/1), Like No Other (20/1), Shamaheart (33/1)

A devilishly tricky 7f handicap. At face value, a combined 8lb rise for the hat-trick seeking Safe Voyage doesn't seem overly harsh, but in truth he has it all to do to confirm placings with Curzon Line. Testa Rossa could be suited if Safe Voyage sets a blistering early tempo, but he's slightly vulnerable at this shorter trip. War Department looks high enough in the handicap, as does previous C&D winner Like No Other. Therefore, a sporting chance is taken with FREE CODE, who raced off much higher marks than this mark of 78 during the summer months, and suggested he was on the way back to form when finishing third last time at Wolverhampton. 1. Free Code 2. Young John 3. Testa Rossa