15:10 Newcastle
Tuesday 14 February 2017
All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10
Betway Handicap
- 4YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 56y | Standard | 9 Runners | Allweather | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 3m 41.97s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Raised 5lb for a three quarters of a length success in a 1m4f Class 3 handicap at Wolverhampton last month (fifth Energia Fox has won well since). This is just his third start for the trainer (ex German racer for P.Schiergen) with stamina over this trip taken on trust, but a contender despite top-weight for a yard with a good record at this track on Tapeta.
A dual turf winner (both at Sandown for Andrew Balding), including over this trip in the Listed Esher Stakes in July 2015. Rated as high as 112 on turf during 2015, but struggled throughout the course of 2016 in Class 2 handicaps for Rod Millman. Unexposed on the AW, with this track and trip probably more suitable than his New Years Eve debut for this trainer.
Shaken up, but not overly exerted to take a 1m4f Class 2 Newcastle handicap last month by half a length from Masterpaver. Described by Josephine Gordon afterwards as "more of a hands and heels type, and more suited to Newcastle than Lingfield." Steps up in trip, but should stay being a half-sister to 2m Flat and hurdles winner Bordoni.
Five time AW winner (at up to 1m6f) who is gradually inching up the weights. A runner up on her past two starts over 1m4f to the progressive Isharah, and more latterly to today's rival Natural Scenery. Little to choose between the pair at the weights, but the suspicion is that this trip will favour Natural Scenery rather than Masterpaver.
Talented conditions stakes and 90 plus rated handicapper for David Elsworth, but left that trainer following a non-descript hurdles debut at Fakenham in October 2016. A similar story on stable debut at Catterick last month (11th of 13 to High Bridge) and reverts back to the Flat (fourth career AW start) up against it here.
Thoroughly genuine veteran who has done extremely well on the AW for this trainer winning three times (all at Wolverhampton) in 12 stable starts. Twice a runner up over this C&D lately to Stamford Raffles and Isharah, but this is a stronger contest, and races from a recent high handicap mark of 85.
Fair to say that he's not set the world alight over hurdles in three starts so far, and no surprise he switches back to the Flat for his AW debut. A three time winner on turf (twice in France for Waldemar Hickst), this looks a very tasking test against these rivals.
Won a novices hurdle at Leicester in December (10/11f) but fell on his latest start at the Musselburgh Cheltenham trials meeting earlier this month. Won his last two Flat starts on turf in October, but is 7lb higher (rated 82) for the last of those victories on this his AW debut. Lightly raced (only 12 starts) for a six-year-old.
Not been with this trainer for long having been bought by Wilson Renwick for £6,000 from David Barron in November 2016 with hurdling in mind. This track should suit better than Southwell, but this is a much stronger contest than last time (and held by Zakatal on stable debut at Wolverhampton).
Forecasts
Natural Scenery (7/4), London Prize (11/4), Hot Beat (10/3), Masterpaver (6/1), Zakatal (20/1), Time Of My Life (33/1), Havana Beat (40/1), Esteaming (50/1), Highland Castle (125/1)
A competitive two mile Class 3 handicap that can go the way of Godolphin's recent course winner NATURAL SCENERY. Whilst she's clearly not entirely straightforward, she's built up a good rapport with her rider Josephine Gordon, and promises to stay this extra half mile on pedigree. Hot Beat is perhaps the most likely danger, and he represents a yard with a good record here on Tapeta, with his previous Wolverhampton success well franked by Energia Fox.
1. Natural Scenery
2. Hot Beat
3. London Prize
Prize Money
1st: £16,172.002nd: £4,812.003rd: £2,405.004th: £1,202.00
MOST READ RACING
Follow & Track
Your favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My StableLog in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits
