17:25 Newcastle
Thursday 2 March 2017
All14:1014:4015:1015:4516:2016:5517:25
Betway Sprint Handicap
- 3YO plus  |  Class 4  |  5f  |  Standard  |  9 Runners  |  Allweather  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 17:26Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 1m 0.33s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Yet to win on the AW from five attempts (dual turf winner) but has run some sound races on synthetic surfaces including over C&D (third) from a 3lb higher mark in September 2016; effectively 8lb lower today if you factor in this talented young riders 5lb claim.
C&D winner in September 2016, and improved for his January return to action when finishing third to Slingsby upped to 6F last month. Still 3lb above his last winning mark but a contender on a track that suits.
Blitzed her rivals from the front when winning at Nottingham in October (5F soft) just five days after employing similar brutal forcing tactics when runner up (40/1) to First Bombardment over this C&D. Off since November 2016, but likely to make this a searching test of stamina for the others.
Last of nine on his return from a six month break at Lingfield last month, who despite his advancing years, did have the speed to win at Sandown in July 2016 under an excellent ride from Luke Morris. Not yet won on Tapeta.
Has thrived since switching to this trainer in September 2016, winning over this trip at both Musselburgh and Navan. Likely to be much sharper for his January AW debut (fifth over C&D to Rich Again).
7F Kempton Polytrack winner on debut for William Haggas in May 2016 who joined this trainer (also saddles One Boy) for 8,000 gns in October 2016. Behind Aprovado when sixth to Slingsby over 6F at this track last month, with this trip seemingly on the sharp side.
Not won since July 2015 (Chelmsford), but did finish second on his penultimate start at Lingfield early last month. Cheek-pieces reapplied and the combination of this stiffer track and a probable searing pace set by New Road Side could help this habitual late finisher.
Up 3lb and absent since winning over C&D for this rider in November 2016 (held on well close home), and with earlier Newcastle form closely aligned with Dark Side Dream, a big run can be expected if primed on his return.
A tough cookie who has deserved to win a race at this track this winter (placed on six of his seven starts at Newcastle) and effective over 5 to 6F. Plenty will be keen to crab him for a string of placed efforts, but there's nothing wrong with his attitude whatsoever and is guaranteed to run his race.
Forecasts
Dark Side Dream (5/2), Just Us Two (10/3), New Road Side (6/1), Vimy Ridge (8/1), Royal Brave (9/1), Tarboosh (10/1), Aprovado (12/1), One Boy (14/1), Secret Asset (40/1)
The pacy New Road Side could blow this race apart from the front and will expose any flaws in her eight rivals, with VIMY RIDGE best set to profit should such a scenario develop. He's worth chancing despite his poor win record in an open event in which course regulars Royal Brave and Dark Side Dream are much respected.
1. Vimy Ridge
2. Dark Side Dream
3. New Road Side
Prize Money
1st: £7,763.002nd: £2,310.003rd: £1,154.004th: £577.00
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