16:00 Newcastle

Friday 8 September 2017

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:40

Fastflow Pipeline Services Handicap

Off time: 16:02 | Winning time: 2m 43.26s

(13)

Carthage⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: Ben Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 66| D

8/1

Not won since June 2016 (1m4f, Thirsk), but predictably his mark has reduced and he drops into a weaker contest. 3lb lower than when a fair fifth to Airton over C&D on Northumberland Plate Day and fair claims on that form.

Form: 49-0458

(1)

Major Rowan²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: P Makin| T: J J Davies| OR: 65| CD

22/1

Hammered by the handicapper for routing the opposition when winning by 9L over C&D in August 2016 and looked to be still paying the price for that victory when fifth of nine in the equivalent contest in 2017.

Form: 344475

(3)

Le Deluge^t³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Adam J McNamara⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 64| D

25/1

A six time career winner between 1m1f and 1m4f, but another to have been relatively quiet for a while. Back from an aborted troublesome spell over hurdles with a moderate well beaten third in a Redcar seller early last month.

Form: 13236-3

(5)

Warfare^p¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Barry McHugh| T: T J FitzGerald| OR: 62

20/1

Has placed form over this track at 1m, giving the impression that he needs slightly further. However he has appeared regressive more latterly and whether he will stay 1m4f looks a major concern.

Form: 246755

(6)

Rock A Doodle Doo²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 9-8| J: Paula Muir⁽⁷⁾| T: S Regan| OR: 61| D

100/1

Shown nothing in two starts spread over eight months apart after returning from a similar absence prior to that and is impossible to fancy.

Form: 5979/50

(10)

Tred Softly^b⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 58| D

15/2

Solid over this trip on Tapeta in mid winter from a slightly lower mark (winning at Wolverhampton in January). Performed with credit on turf in the main, and back from a single try over hurdles, so could be capable of making the frame.

Form: 944342

(8)

Surround Sound^p,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Cam Hardie| T: T D Easterby| OR: 57| D

14/1

His form figures on Tapeta between January and March 2017 read 3,2,2,1, so is clearly a capable performer from this mark with his optimum conditions. Not so productive on turf recently, but possibilities.

Form: 743648

(14)

Metronomic⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: A Mullen| T: P D Niven| OR: 64

12/1

Yet to win beyond 1m2f, and tries this trip for the first time from a joint career high mark after a disappointing effort at Chester in late July (last of ten to Glenys The Menace).

Form: 151410

(9)

Spirit Of The Vale^h¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: K Stott| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 56| C

5/1

Loves this track (1,1,2,2) but has climbed the weights, and all of those efforts came over the shorter trip of 1m4f. Likely to run her race and has been admirably consistent since joining this stable, but 1m4f is an unknown.

Form: 545252

(2)

Danny Mc D^p⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: P Hanagan| T: I Jardine| OR: 55

50/1

Six race maiden who hasn't shown much since sent handicapping. However, hails from a shrewd stable so worth being cautious about as he tries 1m4f for the first time (only his second start beyond 1m).

Form: 566000

(12)

Good Time Ahead¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: J Quinn| T: P A Kirby| OR: 62| BF

4/1

Won just once in 22 starts (on Tapeta at Wolverhampton in January). However has form tied in with Spirit Of The Vale, and has gone well here previously over a slightly shorter trip. Not ruled out.

Form: 864532

(11)

Sir Runs A Lot^b1⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: S H James| T: T D Barron| OR: 54

8/1

Seven race maiden who appears fairly devoid of ability, but drops in trip from 1m6f for his AW debut wearing first time blinkers.

Form: 777830

(7)

Padleyourowncanoe^b¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: L Morris| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 59| BF

8/1

1m Fibresand winner (March 2017) who has proved fairly versatile up to a point in terms of trip without quite managing to get his head in front since. No concerns about this surface, but remains on a high enough mark.

Form: 45325U

(4)

Quiet Weekend^t³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: F Norton| T: J D Bethell| OR: 50

22/1

Back from an 11 month break when upped to 1m2f at Doncaster last month (last of 11 to Tribal Conquest). Makes his AW debut over a longer trip, but being a half-brother to 2m hurdle winner Thankyouverymuch, he could well stay.

Form: 60-0

Forecasts

Good Time Ahead (4/1), Spirit Of The Vale (5/1), Tred Softly (15/2), Sir Runs A Lot (8/1), Padleyourowncanoe (8/1), Carthage (8/1), Metronomic (12/1), Surround Sound (14/1), Warfare (20/1), Major Rowan (22/1), Quiet Weekend (22/1), Le Deluge (25/1), Danny Mc D (50/1), Rock A Doodle Doo (100/1)

Strong in terms of numbers, but very much the type of race in which one is prepared to take a chance on a horse at decent odds. Spirit Of The Vale loves this track and has proved a grand filly for Oliver Greenall, but she's higher in the weights now and has stamina to prove over 1m4f. Tred Softly is another who goes well on Tapeta, but with significantly less to prove in terms of stamina should make the frame. However, the pair to concentrate upon could be Surround Sound and CARTHAGE. Whilst it's feasible to back both at the projected odds, the top-weight looks the marginal pick now that he's eased in grade, with his Northumberland Plate Day C&D fifth to Airton representing fair form against these much lesser rivals.