14:20 Newcastle
Friday 14 April 2017
All13:5014:2014:5515:2515:5516:2516:55
Betway Sprint Handicap
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  5f  |  Standard  |  13 Runners  |  Allweather  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:21Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 59.84s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Four time turf winner (all over 5F), with just the sole start to his name on synthetics. That came on his final run in 2016 at Chelmsford in October (5F) when he finished 1L second to Silvanus. Races from the same mark today on his seasonal return and there could be more to come on this surface. Likes to race prominently.
Not at his best over 6F during six starts in 2016 (one of which was a consolation race for the Stewards Cup), so has slipped 13lb in the weights and is now rated 80. Off since early October, so it's feasible that he'll need this return to action, but a stiff 5F holds no fears and dangerously handicapped if back to his best.
Dual course winner this winter (including over C&D in September 2016), and has posted three rock solid efforts here since February. Third to Slingsby (6F), runner up to the progressive Just Us Two (5F) and most latterly a ¾L winner from Burtonwood (6F). Raised just 3lb for those runs, he's still on a competitive mark, and should be strong at the finish over this trip (likes to lead).
Seems suited by this surface with a track record of 2,4,1 since August 2016. Successful off a fierce prominent racing pace from a 5lb lower mark over C&D on his penultimate start in October 2016, he's been given a winter break since turning out at Catterick eight days later, and has gone well enough early doors the past two seasons.
Unraced on the AW since October 2014 (sole start), but did win twice over 5F on turf during 2015. Last year was less fruitful but he did finish third on three occasions over 5F and 6F, with a season best effort coming at Windsor in July. Returns from an eight month break, and he's another who likes to race to the fore.
No stranger to success in Ireland when trained by W.McCreery when fully versatile on a sound surface between 5F and 6F. His form tailed off for his new trainer after a couple of pleasing 5F efforts at Doncaster and the Curragh in September 2016, but he looks the type capable of winning more races despite a career record of 0 from 7 on the AW (all at Dundalk).
Ex Gary Moore inmate, who made his fourth career AW start a winning one over C&D late last month. That head success from Orient Class was on his stable debut (trainer saddled a double that evening), and a 3lb higher mark shouldn't be too troubling with further improvement anticipated.
Six time winner, but just once on the AW from 16 starts (over 6F at Chelmsford in January 2016), and comfortably beaten on both visits to this track (AW) to date. However, likely to benefit from the latest of those runs (his seasonal reappearance) but looks risky dropped to 5F having not won over this trip since 2014.
Caught close home by Art Collection over C&D late last month, but frustratingly for his connections has been upped 2lb and renews rivalry on only 1lb better terms. However, that did represent a welcome return to form (his best effort since October 2016) and he should go close with a course AW record reading: 2,4,2.
Talented juvenile during 2015 (fifth when favourite for Newbury's valuable Super Sprint), but found getting his head in front tough again until winning as a three-year-old at Ripon in August 2016 (5F good). Races from that winning mark of 78 on his belated AW debut off a near seven month break.
Forced the pace with First Bombardment when beaten 1L over C&D in October 2016, and got the better of Orient Class by a head at Nottingham five days later, so closely matched with a few of these rivals. Less productive thereafter until performing with more credit at Southwell last month (runner up), and another runner with blistering early pace.
Very smartly away and made all when successful over this trip from a 5lb lower mark at Pontefract in September 2016 (good to soft), but rounded off the campaign with a pair of dire efforts in which he failed to beat a single rival. Much better on last month's return when going down narrowly to Foxy Forever at Wolverhampton (5F), with the promise of more to come being an unexposed type on synthetics.
Maiden on turf after 15 career starts, but 1 from 1 on the AW having won a 5F maiden at Chelmsford in April 2016 (4/6f). Competed in some decent races last year including at Newmarket, York and Goodwood and has eased considerably in the weights (rated 75) so interesting to see what the market makes of him on his seasonal return.
Forecasts
Paddy Power (9/2), Art Collection (11/2), Van Gerwen (6/1), First Bombardment (7/1), Aprovado (8/1), Bapak Asmara (11/1), Orient Class (12/1), Money Team (14/1), Excessable (16/1), New Road Side (16/1), Tylery Wonder (20/1), Secret Missile (25/1), Stanghow (28/1)
This race promises to be an absolute burn up with a number of horses who enjoy blazing the trail all present and correct, so allowing for reasonable weather conditions, the 5F track record must be in serious jeopardy of being smashed. None will likely go quicker than New Road Side who slugged it out with First Bombardment here in October, whilst the likeable Aprovado should see out this trip better than most with winning form over further. Art Collection would have held strong claims but for a dreadful draw so a chance is taken that his old foe ORIENT CLASS can extract his revenge from a marginally better slot with Paul Mulrennan aboard.
- Orient Class
- Aprovado
- First Bombardment
Prize Money
1st: £6,469.002nd: £1,925.003rd: £962.004th: £481.00
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