17:45 Newcastle
Friday 31 March 2017
All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45
Betway Handicap
- 4YO plus | Class 6 | 1m 4f 98y | Standard | 12 Runners | Allweather | Weighed In
- Off time: 17:45 | Winning time: 2m 40.68s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Appears to have lost his way over hurdles (and on the Flat) since recording a second victory over timber during his Juvenile campaign at Sandown in March 2016. A dual AW winner over shorter trips (including on Tapeta), this seemingly regressive five-year-old needs to show more sparkle off a break now eased in grade.
Unpenalised and effectively 5lb lower (with rider able to claim his full allowance) than when winning over 1m2f at this course last week. Whilst that wasn't a strong race, he did see off Spirit Of The Vale by 2¼L (a dual winner here), so holds a clear chance if able to see out these extra two furlongs.
Landed some good bets when getting up in the dying strides to nose out Ryan The Giant over 2m here during the Cheltenham Festival week. Raised 3lb for that success, and remains well handicapped on form dating back to 2012/13, and did run well over this shorter trip (C&D) in October 2016.
Ex Richard Fahey and Neil Mulholland trained gelding who returns to the track for the first time since October 2016, and makes his stable debut. Winner of a Southwell handicap hurdle in August 2016, he makes his first ever start on the AW with the suspicion being that connections are preparing him for a spring jumps campaign.
12 race maiden who has made little impression in his last three starts at this track (in maiden and handicap company). Possibly capable of finding a small race in time (claimer), but the jury is still firmly out as to whether he really stays this 1m4f trip.
Head winner at Wolverhampton over this trip in January, but has been a beaten favourite on his two subsequent starts. Paid for forcing an overly strong pace at Kempton under a 7lb penalty, and raced too keenly when held up over a longer trip at Wolverhampton (latest). Placed on his sole start at this track (C&D) in December 2016 from a 3lb lower mark.
Seven race Flat maiden (including in two spins on the AW at this track), and generally campaigned with more regularity over hurdles. A Sedgefield winner in that sphere (October 2015), she returns to the Flat after racing over hurdles recently (placed at this track in February) wearing the first time visor.
Strong, sizeable good looking sort, who took a massive step forward on all known previous form when upped significantly to 2m when finishing fourth to Up Ten Down Two at this track recently. Possibly this slightly shorter trip (had run over 7F in the recent past) will prove his optimum, but work to do to reverse placings nevertheless.
Off since finishing an extremely remote last of seven (Toola Boola third) to Almutamarred over C&D in August 2016. Very difficult to consider having just beaten two rivals home in five starts since winning at Musselburgh over this trip in July 2015.
Disappointing in Ireland for Dermot Weld, and a Nottingham third aside (April 2016) has shown little on the Flat for this trainer. Not seen since going down by a neck to Skylark Lady in the opening juvenile hurdle of the 2016/17 jumps season at Hexham in June 2016, so presumably has had problems, but worth a glance in the market.
Has shown little signs of ability during eleven races under rules (seven on the Flat), regularly starting at three figure odds. Impossible to fancy with a BHA handicap rating of just 45.
Longstanding maiden who has been regularly beaten (albeit placed) at this track over 1m2f during the early part of 2017, including when 3¼L behind Mazaaher last week, and renews rivalry on worse terms (if accounting for riders claims). Yet to prove he stays this trip, and has not run over this far since June 2015.
Forecasts
Up Ten Down Two (9/4), Mazaaher (5/2), Tred Softly (9/2), Lord Rob (13/2), Highwayman (16/1), Akavit (16/1), Psychology (20/1), Toola Boola (33/1), Rajapur (33/1), Sandgate (66/1), Spokesperson (66/1), Bilko's Back (125/1)
Strong in numbers, but seemingly only a handful with a winning chance. These include last week's surprise 1m2f winner Mazaaher who runs unpenalised, and is effectively 5lb lower with Clifford Lee able to claim his allowance. As a result he's likely to be strong in the market, but he does need to prove his stamina over this extra two furlongs. Tred Softly is probably better than he's shown the past twice, and whilst a tricky conveyance, he holds place claims at a track he's run well at in the past, but the vote firmly goes to UP TEN DOWN TWO. This lightly raced sort (for his age) landed some tidy bets when winning over 2m at this track during the Cheltenham Festival week, and can handle this half mile drop in trip with the very capable Nathan Evans legged up tonight.
- Up Ten Down Two
- Tred Softly
- Mazaaher
Prize Money
1st: £2,588.002nd: £770.003rd: £385.004th: £192.00
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