15:05 Newcastle
Tuesday 7 February 2017
All13:3014:0014:3015:0515:4016:1016:40
Betway Handicap
- 4YO plus | Class 6 | 2m 56y | Standard | 9 Runners | Allweather | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 3m 37.18s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Talented hurdler (132 rated), and has won twice from five starts over fences during 2016 (at Fontwell and Stratford). Back on the Flat for the first time in twelve months, but boasts a 20% strike rate on the AW having won twice on the Fibresand at Southwell. Has experience of Tapeta (Wolverhampton) and makes Newcastle AW debut today.
Won over C&D at the turn of the year from a 2lb lower mark, and has had excuses the last twice (shorter trip and farcical pace), who looks set to do better from the back in a more truly run race.
Won a 1m Southwell classified claimer for Andrew Balding in March 2016, but has shown nothing in eight runs for this yard. Drops to a mark of 50, and steps up 1m in trip having run over a mile here late last month.
Stablemate of Jan Smuts who has shown little on three visits to this course on the AW, including over this trip in December. Has raced over hurdles the past twice, and needs that variety to have been of some benefit to have any chance back on Tapeta.
An AW maiden from 12 starts, but twice placed last month on the Fibresand at Southwell, and a mark of 46 is 5lb below this ten-year-olds last visit to Newcastle in August 2016 when finishing fifth of seven over 1m4f to Almutamarred.
Ran just twice on turf during 2016, and absent since June (Musselburgh), so needs a leap of faith to be supported. Not won since 2013, and an AW maiden from 11 career starts on synthetics.
Won twice on Tapeta at Wolverhampton over this trip (once for this rider), but not since March 2015, although this mark of 44 is 10lb below his last winning mark, he didn't shape like a winner during 2016 and has a five month absence to overcome.
Ran twice in bumpers before starting at three figure odds in three maidens during September and October 2016 (no promise), and showed only marginally more on handicap debut over this trip at Wolverhampton last month. Dropped a further 9lb and now rated 36.
24 race maiden (including from 13 starts on the AW), but has finished placed in three of his last five starts over this trip (including over C&D), so more chance than some of the others in a desperate race.
Forecasts
Pass The Time (15/8), Ryan The Giant (85/40), Jan Smuts (6/1), Thackeray (15/2), Yorkshireman (16/1), Adrakhan (20/1), He's Magic (20/1), Breathless (33/1), Strikemaster (50/1)
A very poor two mile handicap in which the talented hurdler Pass The Time returns to AW racing for the first time in twelve months. His best form has come on the Fibresand at Southwell, so he can be taken on by Newcastle regular JAN SMUTS. Make no mistake, Jan Smuts is no star, but his last two efforts are excusable for various reasons and he races from only a 2lb higher mark than when winning over C&D last month.
1. Jan Smuts
2. Yorkshireman
3. Pass The Time
Prize Money
1st: £2,588.002nd: £770.003rd: £385.004th: £192.00
MOST READ RACING
Follow & Track
Your favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My StableLog in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits
