20:30 Newcastle

Thursday 10 August 2017

All17:5018:2018:5519:2520:0020:3021:00

Newcastle United Betting At 188Bet Handicap

Off time: 20:33 | Winning time: 1m 12.52s

(3)

Caeser The Gaeser^p⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: P Mulrennan| T: N Tinkler| OR: 65| CD

8/1

Yet to really fire in three starts in 2017 since returning from a break. Was successful over C&D from a 2lb lower mark in November, so handicapped to be competitive.

Form: 341-579

(2)

Portland Street^p²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Connor Beasley| T: B Smart| OR: 64| D

12/1

Comfortably beaten by Caeser The Gaeser on his sole start on the AW in November, but in reasonable order over 6f at Hamilton in May when twice a runner up. Form has levelled off since and needs to produce more.

Form: 8-92207

(13)

Epeius⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: G Lee| T: B Haslam| OR: 64| CD

9/2

An infrequent winner, but fairly solid over C&D and generally finds the frame. A narrow success over C&D for this rider in March is his only victory in 14 career starts, but he was third from this mark here latest and should run another fair race.

Form: 23-1593

(4)

Sunnyside Bob²³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Faye McManoman⁽⁷⁾| T: N Bycroft| OR: 63

66/1

16 race maiden who has been off the track since December 2016 and despite falling steadily in the weights makes little appeal.

Form: 846070-

(11)

Indian Pursuit¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 63| C| D

16/1

Course winner in February (5f), and backed that up when going down narrowly to Windforpower from this mark on his next outing (again 5f). Not really returned from a short break (April to July) in the same shape, but does stay 6f and seems ideally suited by this track.

Form: 203785

(12)

Meandmyshadow^b¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: Cameron Noble⁽⁷⁾| T: A D Brown| OR: 63| CD

15/2

A grand old campaigner who has won 15 times from 110 career starts including over C&D (turf and AW). This 6f trip is very much her optimum and she ran well in a strong contest at York last month. Her riders claim further helps her mark which is already 7lb below her last winning one (here in October 2016; Epeius third).

Form: 536707

(5)

Compton Park^t,v1³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 9-10| J: P J McDonald| T: J L Eyre| OR: 63| D

14/1

Veteran who has won nine races, but is seemingly on the downgrade. Could only finish third in a claimer on his last visit to this track in March (won by Ticks The Boxes) and not shown enough of late on turf to suggest he can take advantage of a falling mark. Wears a first time visor.

Form: 738950

(1)

Ad Vitam^b,t³³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: T Eaves| T: Suzzanne France| OR: 63| CD

25/1

A seven time winner who edged out Cliff when winning by a neck over C&D in December before being on the wrong end of a nose verdict against Justice Pleasing in March (7f). Poor on turf since, but a valid excuse latest (too far) and capable here at best.

Form: 661-206

(14)

Jacob Black^t⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: J Garritty| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 62

66/1

One time decent handicapper for Keith Dalgliesh, but woeful of late and scarcely manages to beat a rival these days. In free-fall in the handicap accordingly and drops to 6f for just the second time in his career.

Form: 0-08959

(6)

Slemy^p1¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 60

14/1

A four time career winner, but not since June 2016. Very poor in all eight starts in 2017, but the handicapper appears to have taken a risk dropping him to a much reduced mark of 60 (18lb below his last winning mark). Largely untested on the AW, but if cheek-pieces can reignite the spark, he'd most definitely be of significant interest.

Form: 900079

(10)

Lucky Lodge^v²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 60| D

12/1

Kept busy this term, and has ran five times since finishing fourth of nine to Barwah over 7f here in June. A three time winner on the AW previously he also ran well at this track in May 2016 when second to Orion's Bow and if quicker away than at Catterick latest is another on a fair mark.

Form: 434650

(9)

Dandy Bird¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Joe Doyle| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 64

33/1

Was with James Given when finishing second at odds of 40/1 in a C&D maiden in September 2016, but left that yard the following month for 14,000 gns. Better than the bare result suggests on stable and handicap debut at Thirsk last month after a lengthy break and not one to totally dismiss with improvement likely.

Form: 526-8

(7)

Etienne Gerard^p⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Lewis Edmunds⁽³⁾| T: N Tinkler| OR: 60| D

10/3

In fine fettle during August last year, winning by 3L from a mark of 69 on good to soft ground at Leicester. Much lower now, and this appears very much his time of the year, proving that he's primed to strike when a ¾L runner up to Yes You at Redcar last week. Excellent young jockey retains the ride.

Form: 006062

(8)

Bearag⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 56

10/1

A six race maiden who was placed over C&D in October 2016 (no match for the Sir Michael Stoute trained Panova). Hasn't really thrived in handicaps this year, but falling in the weights and not fully exposed just yet.

Form: 843-976

Forecasts

Etienne Gerard (10/3), Epeius (9/2), Meandmyshadow (15/2), Caeser The Gaeser (8/1), Bearag (10/1), Lucky Lodge (12/1), Portland Street (12/1), Compton Park (14/1), Slemy (14/1), Indian Pursuit (16/1), Ad Vitam (25/1), Dandy Bird (33/1), Jacob Black (66/1), Sunnyside Bob (66/1)

A Class 6 handicap, but a number of these horses appear dangerously handicapped. Slemy would be massively interesting if the cheek-pieces are the catalyst for an improved showing. He's 18lb below his last winning mark, and whilst largely dismal this year, he represents a trainer who never ceases to surprise and is largely unexposed on the AW. A reduced mark of 60 could well be a gift, and he must be supported each-way at decent odds. However, the more obvious winner is ETIENNE GERARD. His August career form figures read (5,1,2,7,2,1,2) so this is undeniably his time of year. He gave notice his turn was fast approaching with a fine effort at Redcar last week and appears primed to strike.