18:15 Newcastle
Friday 19 May 2017
All17:4518:1518:5019:2019:5520:3021:00
O'Brien Handicap
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  1m 2f 42y  |  Standard  |  8 Runners  |  Allweather  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 18:15Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 2m 13.54s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Last raced over hurdles at Haydock in December, but hugely consistent in five Flat runs for this yard last season, with the highlight being a victory at Nottingham in October 2016 (good to soft). Twice a runner up on synthetics for previous trainer Anthony Middleton, but makes his Tapeta bow tonight.
Shock 50/1 winner of a 1m maiden fillies stakes at Haydock on debut in April 2014, and highly tried at Listed level over 1m and 1m2f in the months that followed. Off the track for two and a half years following a switch to the States, but showed enough on her return over this C&D last month to suggest she's worth persevering with.
AW debutant who has a record of 1 from 14 on turf, with that success coming over this trip at Ayr in May 2016 (maiden). Contested some decent events later that term, and returned with a fair effort at Doncaster last month behind Archippos before struggling latest at Newbury.
Twice a winner over hurdles in late summer 2016 (at Newton Abbot and Stratford), and was made favourite for his AW return at Chelmsford in March, but could only finish fifth to Celebration Day (1m2f). This track could suit, but yet to register success on synthetics after seven attempts.
Falling in the weights, but this trainer has struggled to get the best from this gelding over the winter months, and he finished last of eight when switched back to turf latest. His form here in March with General Hazard implies that he's handicapped to go close, with his last success coming from a 10lb higher mark in February 2016.
Finished runner up to Magic City over 1m here in March, and whilst beaten 4½L, he strongly implied that this trip could suit. Not helped by the draw at Southwell latest and looks set to run a decent race on a surface we know he handles.
Three time winner on turf (1m x2 and 1m4f), and his mark has slowly declined to today's perch of 72. Shaped well enough on seasonal return at Pomtefract in April (fifth to Gulf Of Poets, 1m2f) and best to discard a subsequent start at Lingfield where he met trouble in running.
Veteran who thrives on the Fibresand at Southwell, but has shown little zest for racing since returned from a 13 month break, and has finished last on all three starts for this trainer since February.
Forecasts
Al Destoor (5/2), Taper Tantrum (7/2), Theos Lolly (5/1), Navajo War Dance (5/1), Belle De Lawers (11/2), Spes Nostra (10/1), Warfare (12/1), Masterful Act (100/1)
No firm view taken in this trappy little contest in which some lightly raced AW horses (Al Destoor and Navajo War Dance) tackle hardy synthetics regulars such as SPES NOSTRA and Warfare. Al Destoor improved switched to this stable last year on turf, and is of definite interest on his return to the track. However, at the likely odds, a chance is taken that Ian Jardine can work his magic on Spes Nostra, who is undoubtedly well handicapped on form from twelve months plus ago.
- Spes Nostra
- Al Destoor
- Theos Lolly
Prize Money
1st: £7,763.002nd: £2,310.003rd: £1,154.004th: £577.00
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