15:30 Newcastle

Wednesday 22 March 2017

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

Betway Stayers' Handicap

Off time: 15:31 | Winning time: 3m 30.89s

(8)

Hamelin³³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: S De Sousa| T: George Scott| OR: 98

9/2

Shaped as if the step up in trip to 2m would pose relatively few problems when staying on well to down Petite Jack here over 1m4f last month. A 3lb rise seems perfectly fair, with his trainer 2/4 (50%) at this track on Tapeta. Has form closely aligned with Gavlar (2m) from last spring, and should go well.

Form: 630684

(4)

Good Run¹¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: K Stott| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 96

5/2

Three time winner despite a very quiet career, and is unbeaten over both this trip and on the AW after scoring over C&D from Ajman Prince in late November. Up 5lb, but unlikely to have reached his full potential just yet with a very talented young rider (who rides this track much better than most) booked.

Form: 11/01-20

(3)

Gavlar^v³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Shepherd⁽³⁾| T: W J Knight| OR: 90

14/1

His three AW successes so far have come on the Polytrack (Kempton twice, and Lingfield), but this trip of 2m most certainly sees him in a positive light, and he finished ninth of 20 in the 2016 Northumberland Plate to Antiquariam. Not quite recaptured his peak form yet on the AW this winter, but much respected nevertheless.

Form: 08-4184

(2)

Byron Flyer³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: S Donohoe| T: Ian Williams| OR: 87

9/2

Useful dual purpose campaigner who was successful from a mark of 127 over hurdles at Doncaster in November, and clearly stays well. His record of 2/3 on the AW is noteworthy, and he lost little in defeat last time going down narrowly to Haines at Wolverhampton (Gavlar fourth, Calvinist fifth). Up a further 3lb and now rated 87.

Form: /14-12

(5)

Calvinist^p1²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: C Lee⁽⁵⁾| T: A Watson| OR: 90

6/1

1m6f York Class 2 handicap winner for Brian Meehan in October 2016, who cost these connections 85,000 gns later that month, but has only made a minimal impression in two races since. Closely matched with Byron Flyer and Gavlar on last month's Wolverhampton form, but was no match for Watersmeet in a Fast-Track Qualifier at Chelmsford earlier this month, and is not yet fully stamina proven over this trip. Wears first time cheek-pieces.

Form: 17/61-55

(7)

Swashbuckle¹⁹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 85

4/1

Twice victorious in swift succession over 1m4f at Ffos Las last summer before rounding off the campaign going down by just over 4L to Slunovrat when stepped up to this trip for the first time at York in September. Improving and lightly raced sort, but might find one or more of these rivals too good from a career high mark of 85.

Form: 113-333

(1)

Injam¹⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: P Hanagan| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 82

33/1

Didn't appear to see out this 2m trip at Haydock in October, having raced over shorter trips prior to that race, including when outclassed in the Melrose Stakes at York in August. By a Derby winner (Pour Moi), makes his seasonal return and AW debut with former Champion Jockey booked.

Form: 32100-8

(6)

Silva Eclipse²⁰⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-3| J: J P Sullivan| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 80

9/1

Contested the first ever race on Tapeta at this track in May 2016, but left his maiden form behind once switched to handicapping and gradually upped in trip, landing a hat-trick of turf victories at Carlisle (x2) and Ripon. His mark has risen 15lb (now 80), but worthy of a crack at better opposition on his return from a near seven month break.

Form: 5/4111-6

Forecasts

Good Run (5/2), Swashbuckle (4/1), Byron Flyer (9/2), Hamelin (9/2), Calvinist (6/1), Silva Eclipse (9/1), Gavlar (14/1), Injam (33/1)

A very competitive race which could shine a light on the Northumberland Plate and Northumberland Vase come early July. Hamelin looked like he would relish this extra yardage when winning here over 1m4f in February, and a subsequent 3lb rise is fair. Gavlar has been a shade slow to come to hand since his return this winter, but can at his peak be fancied to reverse placings with Byron Flyer from Wolverhampton, but the fast improving, yet still relatively unexposed GOOD RUN looks likely to take the beating today. Kevin Stott rides this track extremely well, and has a good record for Godolphin, and he links up with Good Run for the first time after Ali Rawlinson did the steering last time when this likeable four-year-old stepped up in trip to 2m, getting the better of course standing dish Ajman Prince by 1½L.