17:25 Newcastle
Friday 17 February 2017
All14:2014:5015:2515:5516:2516:5517:25
Betway Best Odds Guaranteed Plus Handicap
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  6f  |  Standard  |  10 Runners  |  Allweather  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 17:27Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 1m 11.35s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
All-weather record reads two wins from three runs but it was all downhill last term, having won off a mark of 95 at Chester on his final run of 2015. First run for a new yard since leaving David Barron.
Capable sort when in the mood, as he proved when winning over 6f at Doncaster in the autumn but isn't the most reliable of conveyances. No real impact since switching to synthetics and appears to have his work cut out.
Formerly with Amanda Perrett, he gained the last of his six wins at Salisbury in September 2015 but failed to add to his tally in a light campaign last year. Has so far drawn a blank from eight previous AW runs but cheekpieces and a switch to tapeta may spark improvement as he reappears for a new yard.
Three-time turf winner for Michael Dods who finished a close second to Spanish City over this C&D in October. Took a keen hold when reappearing for a new yard over C&D last month and better is expected here. Respected.
Very capable performer at best for Richard Fahey but has endured injury problems and cut little ice in a couple of claimers for Ian Williams recently. Down in the weights as he makes a debut for another new yard.
Three-time turf winner but just the one success on the AW from 14 attempts, though has reached the frame the last twice and looks capable of scoring off present mark. A clean break would enhance chances considerably.
Redcar maiden winner who was competitive in a handful of handicaps for James Tate last season but was off the pace on his reappearance for new yard last month. Too early to be writing off and no surprise to see a much-improved effort.
Looked better than ever when bagging a couple of 6f polytrack handicaps last month before narrowly failing to complete a hat-trick on fibresand. Didn't appear to stay 7f on that surface last time but no margin for error back at his optimum trip.
Moderate effort over 7f here recently means it's now 16 runs since his last win and suspicion remains that 6f is on the sharp side these days. All that said, the handicapper is showing mercy so a strong gallop could see him competitive.
A model of consistency who has displayed a liking for this surface but an overall record of just one win from 26 starts tempers enthusiasm. Likely to again make his presence felt, but no surprise if bumping into at least one too good.
Forecasts
Fairway To Heaven (7/2), Dark Side Dream (4/1), Handsome Dude (9/2), Bahamian Dollar (15/2), Merdon Castle (8/1), Buccaneers Vault (8/1), Fujin (12/1), Newstead Abbey (14/1), Gramercy (25/1), Extrasolar (125/1)
A competitive race which is again likely to see Dark Side Dream competitive, while Fairway To Heaven is also weighted to go close, particularly if breaking away on terms. It would be no surprise to see a better effort from the potentially well-treated Bahamian Dollar but it may pay to take a chance on another potential improve in the shape of BUCCANEERS VAULT who is better than he showed on his stable debut and who gets the assistance of Paul Hanagan.
1. Buccaneers Vault
2. Dark Side Dream
3. Fairway To Heaven
Prize Money
1st: £6,301.002nd: £1,886.003rd: £943.004th: £472.005th: £235.00
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