19:15 Newcastle

Saturday 4 March 2017

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

sunbets.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 19:17 | Winning time: 1m 39.28s

(4)

Swift Emperor¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Barron| OR: 86

9/4

Highly tried for much of last year but shaped very promisingly on first start for almost seven months recently, catching the eye in finishing fourth over C&D. Dropped another pound for that and one with a leading chance here.

Form: 066-414

(8)

Byres Road⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 83

3/1

Only just touched off over C&D in February but disappointing when going off favourite on latest start, beaten well over a furlong out. The sort to bounce back (especially given the yard) but comes with risks attached.

Form: 152476

(5)

Testa Rossa^b¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: S H James| T: J S Goldie| OR: 79

11/2

Too highly tried on latest start and that run best forgotten, but had shown some consistency before that and won back-to-back handicaps here in the winter. Possible handicapper is in charge now, but should run his race.

Form: 450391

(2)

Eastern Dragon^p¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 79

7/1

Often held up in his races and prefers a decent pace to come off (not guaranteed here) but capable when it all falls right, as demonstrated when winning here in January. Handicapper in charge since, and probably needs to come down a bit more in weights.

Form: 406156-

(6)

Billy Roberts¹²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: J F Egan| T: R C Guest| OR: 76

18/1

Won a couple of handicaps last spring and now back on a winning mark after some disappointing efforts after that, but not hard to think he may need this after four months off. Only of interest if the money came.

Form: 800-818

(9)

Amber Mystique⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 74

14/1

Back with original trainer after spell with Kristin Stubbs. Got off the mark at the fifth attempt at Lingfield in December but that form not working out, and although not disgraced at Wolverhampton in better grade latest, others are preferred.

Form: 243-2

(3)

Trinity Star¹²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 74

12/1

Lost his form at the end of last season, but had caught the eye a few times and there should be more races to be won with him this season. May need a run or two to reach peak fitness so best watched today.

Form: 40-5608

(1)

Barwah⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: A Mullen| T: P D Niven| OR: 72

6/1

Likes it here and a three-time winner on the surface, remains in good form after just getting touched off here (7f) on latest start. Step back to a mile a plus, but all wins have come in lesser grade than today.

Form: 78-1272

Non-Runners

(7)

War Department¹³

Weight: 9-12| Age: 4

T: K Dalgleish J: Shirley Teasdale

Forecasts

Swift Emperor (9/4), Byres Road (3/1), War Department (5/1), Testa Rossa (11/2), Barwah (6/1), Eastern Dragon (7/1), Trinity Star (12/1), Amber Mystique (14/1), Billy Roberts (18/1)

Go back far enough and you'll find WAR DEPARTMENT was talked of as Royal Ascot material after his debut win at Leicester in 2015. It's fair to say things haven't quite gone to plan, but he looked back to something like his best when winning with any amount in hand earlier in the week and if turned out again, takes plenty of beating. Swift Emperor should be able to operate well in this class and looks the danger after his eye-catching effort last time and the consistent Testa Rossa can grab some place money again.

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