16:15 Newcastle

Thursday 29 June 2017

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:2017:55

Betfred 'Watch Sky Sports In Our Shops' Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 16:18 | Winning time: 1m 40.68s

(9)

Beverley Bullet^p²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: D Tudhope| T: L A Mullaney| OR: 59

7/2

Off the mark at the 17th attempt at Carlisle (1m1f) earlier this month with the first-time cheek-pieces looking to work the oracle. Very much had the run of the race on that occasion and this is a different test, albeit with the stable in form.

Form: 250-741

(7)

Sooqaan²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 58| D

16/1

Returned to form of late at Wolverhampton with a couple of reasonable enough efforts, including when fourth (unfavourable terms) in a claimer latest. However, hasn't won since 2014, so opposed on balance.

Form: 746-034

(8)

Symbolic Star^p¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽⁵⁾| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 57| CD

11/2

Seemingly much better on the AW than on grass and already twice a winner at this track in 2017. Up 3lb for that latest success last month, but without the assistance of regular rider Connor Murtagh.

Form: 0-16517

(11)

Swiftee^b³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: D Nolan| T: I Furtado| OR: 54

16/1

12 race maiden and out of sorts since finishing second to Playful Dude at Southwell in early January. Difficult to fancy even allowing for a career low mark.

Form: 287008

(3)

Pensax Lady²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: L Morris| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 54

10/1

Goes very well on Tapeta at Wolverhampton with her form figures at that track since October 2016 reading; 1,6,1,2,8,2,4,2. Yet to race at Newcastle, but this is her grade and a top rider booked.

Form: 8-24672

(6)

Nelson's Bay²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Nathan Evans⁽³⁾| T: W Storey| OR: 52| CD

16/1

Won over C&D in March, but has shown absolutely nothing since that success. An all or nothing character and best treated with caution despite being on a winning mark.

Form: 100680

(1)

Little Pippin¹⁹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: P J McDonald| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 50| D

50/1

Won a 1m+ seller at Nottingham in October 2015 (heavy), and has been placed a couple of times since from similar marks to today's. Her best form has been over this kind of trip and whilst she can be excused her last two starts (too far), she's been off since December 2016 and needs a career best to be involved.

Form: 523559-

(12)

Kuiper Belt⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: T P Queally| T: D R Lanigan| OR: 59

11/2

Not shown any significant ability in three starts in maiden company, but now qualified for handicaps and this opening mark isn't overly taxing so should be noted for market support.

Form: 70-6

(13)

Wishing Tree²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Ben Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 48

16/1

Eight race maiden, and clearly no great shakes, but entitled to come on for her reappearance earlier this month (Wolverhampton) and interesting she steps up to 1m for the first time having been dropped a further 3lb.

Form: 46090-8

(5)

Born To Reason^h1¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Ryan Powell| T: K Frost| OR: 56

22/1

Six race maiden and already dropping in the weights after three moderate performances in handicaps. Needs to do more, but a drop in trip and the application of the first time hood could be beneficial.

Form: 444697

(14)

Bigbadboy²³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Lewis Edmunds⁽⁵⁾| T: C A Mulhall| OR: 45

33/1

Nine race maiden and not able to figure in a couple of course handicaps in the latter part of 2016. Dropped 2lb, but off since November and unlikely to get involved.

Form: 0/66970-

(2)

Clear As A Bell²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 54

6/1

Made all (held on gamely) to take a 7F Musselburgh Class 6 handicap just under a fortnight ago which was a clear step forward. Unable to follow up from a 3lb higher mark at Leicester (1m) on Tuesday, but not disgraced. Possibly a shade vulnerable trip wise over this stiff mile.

Form: 09-0912

(10)

A Bit Of Ginger¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Shane Gray| T: Mrs A Duffield| OR: 53

20/1

Nine race maiden who in truth hasn't really shaped like winning on turf. However, ran her best race on her sole start on the AW (Kempton Polytrack) in April so couldn't be totally dismissed in this grade.

Form: 9-24859

(4)

Tranquil Tracy²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: P Aspell| T: J R Norton| OR: 49

100/1

Ten race maiden, who was noted staying on over 7F here in March (sixth to Scala Regia) so could benefit from this extra yardage, but far from convincing overall.

Form: 0-46679

Forecasts

Beverley Bullet (7/2), Symbolic Star (11/2), Kuiper Belt (11/2), Clear As A Bell (6/1), Pensax Lady (10/1), Swiftee (16/1), Sooqaan (16/1), Nelson's Bay (16/1), Wishing Tree (16/1), A Bit Of Ginger (20/1), Born To Reason (22/1), Bigbadboy (33/1), Little Pippin (50/1), Tranquil Tracy (100/1)

Not too many can be considered in this low grade affair in which Beverley Bullet (stable in form), Pensax Lady (tapeta specialist), Symbolic Star (course winner) and Clear As A Bell (improving) are the most obvious contenders. However, as this race lacks depth, a real flier is taken on the four-year-old filly WISHING TREE. Her trainer often has a few horses ready for this three-day fixture and the combination of a drop in the weights, and a step up in trip could prove the catalyst to unearth some signs of progress from her.