20:45 Newcastle
Saturday 4 February 2017
All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45
Betway Handicap
- 4YO plus | Class 6 | 6f | Standard | 10 Runners | Allweather | Weighed In
- Off time: 20:49 | Winning time: 1m 12.25s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
A decisive four length winner over C&D in early December, who was clobbered by an 11lb rise by the handicapper. That said, he wasn't beaten all that far when fourth of eight six weeks later at Chelmsford over this same 6f trip. Contender despite the rise.
No joy in two previous visits to this track (AW), but finished a short head second to Colourbearer recently (Commanche fourth) over this trip at Chelmsford. Stable saddled a winner on Wednesday.
Broke his maiden tag on the Fibresand at Southwell (7f) in late December, but again proved vulnerable back in handicap company last time at Wolverhampton. Drops back in trip to 6f.
Old timer who has returned in fair order from an eight month break by finishing third on each of his last two starts (including over C&D). This contest is of a similar nature and he should go well having won on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton in the past.
Runner up to First Excel over C&D two weeks ago, and that form has been franked since by both Pushkin Museum and Windforpower, and could be further enhanced by Thorntoun Lady (8.15pm). Has been raised 2lb for that effort, but appears to be finding his feet on the AW (unexposed), and looks a live contender.
Debut maiden winner at Carlisle in August 2015 (6f Soft), who struggled in two starts on the AW at Wolverhampton in January 2016. Worth another try at a different track on synthetics, but absence to overcome from a reduced mark of 60, having been off since racing at Redcar in early November.
Dwelt and soon struggling over 5f at this track last week on his return from a lengthy absence. Will be better for that run, and this step up in trip, but needs to show more before building upon his relatively solid AW career statistics.
Finished a reasonable sixth of 13 on reappearance from a 15 month break (stable debut) to First Excel over C&D a fortnight back (Spirit of Zebedee second). Needs to post another good effort before entirely convincing he's back to the level of form which saw him win for Phil McEntee in July 2015.
Remains a maiden, but this trainer and jockey combination have teamed up for a pair of winners at this track lately. Has been campaigned at Southwell of late (third last time) but on balance needs to do more, and was beaten by Commanche on his last visit to Newcastle.
Maiden after 23 career starts but not beaten far over this trip three starts back, and showed improved form here last time over 5f behind Windforpower and Sugar Town (runs in the 8.15pm race).
Forecasts
Spirit Of Zebedee (10/3), Spirit Of Wedza (4/1), Napoleon Solo (4/1), Commanche (6/1), Ki Ki (6/1), Hadley (12/1), Tango Sky (16/1), Beau Amadeus (16/1), Sea Of Green (25/1), Insolenceofoffice (50/1)
This can go the way of the John Quinn trained SPIRIT OF ZEBEDEE. He posted a solid second placed run over C&D a fortnight ago, and that form looks rock solid having twice been franked since. He can make light of a 2lb rise in the ratings and score from his new mark of just 61.
1. Spirit of Zebedee
2. Spirit Of Wedza
3. Tango Sky
Prize Money
1st: £2,588.002nd: £770.003rd: £385.004th: £192.00
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