17:55 Newcastle

Tuesday 10 October 2017

All17:2517:5518:2518:5519:3020:0020:3021:00

Ryder Architecture Handicap

Off time: 17:56 | Winning time: 2m 40.35s

(2)

Marmion^h²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: P J McDonald| T: J L Eyre| OR: 65| D

28/1

Has done reasonably well for this trainer on turf over the past couple of years, and this is most definitely his trip. Becoming well treated, now 3lb lower than when scoring at Ripon in June, but not quite made an impression on the AW just yet.

Form: 157763

(14)

Hussar Ballad¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 65| BF| D

12/1

Now 5lb higher than when winning readily over this trip at Wolverhampton on his penultimate start, but backed that up with a solid effort latest despite a tardy start. Yet to register at this track, but should be on the premises.

Form: 304014

(5)

Restive⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Lewis Edmunds⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 64

7/1

Not tasted success since his days in Ireland (2015), but he's run some reasonable races here over 1m2f since joining this stable. His mark is falling and he might capitalise eventually, just not over this trip.

Form: 347836

(8)

Spin Point^b1⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 63

5/1

Led a varied career since leaving Jim Bolger; trying hurdles without success. Returned to the Flat in late August (turf), and might have needed that run, but of more interest now switched to the AW with blinkers applied and the stable in form.

Form: 37/7-866

(1)

Major Rowan³²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: P Makin| T: J J Davies| OR: 63| CD

12/1

Slowly easing back down the weights after being clobbered by the handicapper for winning by 9L over C&D in August 2016, and showed more when fourth to Sir Runs A Lot over C&D last month. Place prospects.

Form: 444754

(13)

Falcon's Fire^b⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Rowan Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 61| CD

16/1

Has found it difficult to get his head in front in 2017, and on that score he can be opposed. However, he clearly handles this track being a C&D winner in September 2016 from a 1lb higher mark.

Form: 355957

(10)

Frozon^h¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Hart| T: B Ellison| OR: 58| D

14/1

Improved performer of late on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton, winning two of his last three starts (1m4f). Won by a nose latest (Hussar Ballad fourth), so a rise of just 1lb looks very fair.

Form: 552101

(4)

Afterburner^v1³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Palmer| OR: 63

25/1

Tailed off on his handicap debut at Windsor in September (1m2f good to soft), but the handicapper has only dropped him by 2lb. Up in trip for his AW debut with the visor applied, but truthfully doesn't make major appeal.

Form: 8757

(3)

Steccando²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: T Hamilton| T: Sally Haynes| OR: 56| BF

20/1

14 race maiden, but one who hasn't tried the AW since the opening contest on Tapeta at Newcastle in May 2016. Made the frame on his last two starts on turf (1m4f), with his latest Catterick third representing a reasonable effort.

Form: 637423

(11)

Good Time Ahead¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: K Stott| T: P A Kirby| OR: 62

9/1

Won just once in 24 starts; at Wolverhampton in January. Bitterly disappointing over C&D latest (too keen), but his earlier efforts here give him claims, and he's very closely matched with Sir Runs A Lot and Major Rowan on their September C&D clash.

Form: 453239

(9)

Champagne Pink^h²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: C Lee⁽³⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 62

13/2

Has gradually come to the fore as she's gathered more experience, and her latest 1m2f 4½L second to My Brother Mike (Restive third) was her best effort yet. Tries a new trip, and that could help.

Form: 87-4542

(12)

Sir Runs A Lot^b³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: S H James| T: T D Barron| OR: 56| CD

7/2

Made it eighth time lucky when narrowly edging out Good Time Ahead and Major Rowan over this C&D last month. Up 2lb, which seems incredibly fair, and should be capable of another bold show on just his third career start on synthetics.

Form: 778301

(7)

Page Of Wands²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁷⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 53

80/1

13 race maiden for previous trainer Karen McLintock, and was tailed off on her recent stable debut at Carlisle last month (1m1f heavy). Seemingly precious little chance of striking at the 15th attempt.

Form: 806-469

(6)

Kerry Icon^h⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Jamie Gormley⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 47

40/1

Took a Redcar fillies handicap by a nose in April (1m2f good to firm), but that represents her sole career success in 27 starts. Generally runs her race, but lacks any real ability and clearly vulnerable over this trip of 1m4f.

Form: 559243

Forecasts

Sir Runs A Lot (7/2), Spin Point (5/1), Champagne Pink (13/2), Restive (7/1), Good Time Ahead (9/1), Hussar Ballad (12/1), Major Rowan (12/1), Frozon (14/1), Falcon's Fire (16/1), Steccando (20/1), Afterburner (25/1), Marmion (28/1), Kerry Icon (40/1), Page Of Wands (80/1)

A tough low grade handicap to solve, and a race which is best ignored for punting purposes, with the likes of Sir Runs A Lot, Major Rowan and Good Time Ahead split by the width of a few cigarette papers over C&D last month. Hussar Ballad is in decent order and lost the race at the start at Wolverhampton latest, but this stiffer test can play to his strengths, so he ought to be thereabouts. However, if pressed for a selection, it would be the slowly improving CHAMPAGNE PINK. She needs to prove that she stays this trip, but in an open race, and being far less exposed than some of the other horses, she's probably worth the risk.