20:15 Newcastle

Friday 20 October 2017

All16:4017:1017:4018:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Global North East Trick Or Treat Handicap

Off time: 20:17 | Winning time: 1m 11.81s

(3)

Manatee Bay^p³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Natalie Hambling⁽⁷⁾| T: N Wilson| OR: 75| CD

33/1

Very competitive from similar marks over C&D in October/November 2016 (2,3,1) for the late Dandy Nicholls. Successful for this trainer at Carlisle in August (6f good to soft) and whilst below par latest a strong showing is anticipated.

Form: 044318

(1)

My Dad Syd^b⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Josephine Gordon| T: Ian Williams| OR: 74| D

9/2

Not at his best on his last two outings, but reliable overall despite perhaps not winning as many races as he's necessarily deserved. Proven at this track, runner up on both previous visits so deserves respect.

Form: 2-53200

(11)

Mr Orange^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: D C Costello| T: P T Midgley| OR: 72| D

28/1

No denying that Pontefract is his venue of choice, but up the weights now following an ultra profitable mid summer in Yorkshire, and with fairly limited AW experience can only be watched at present.

Form: 211357

(13)

Athollblair Boy²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: A Mullen| T: N Tinkler| OR: 72| CD

4/1

Rock solid at this track (2,3,4,4,1) and is 4lb higher for last month's C&D success where he beat Major Crispies by ½L. Needs a recent career best, but claims with 7f form linked closely to My Dad Syd (October 2016).

Form: 242021

(10)

Samarmadi^p1³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: J Mitchell| T: H Palmer| OR: 72| D

7/1

His career has stalled after a promising start, but a switch back to the AW coupled with the fitting of cheek-pieces could feasibly be the required spark. Beaten a short-head by Desert Rain from a 3b higher mark at Wolverhampton in July (6f).

Form: 12778

(7)

Perfect Symphony^p²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 71| C

11/2

Just the sole victory on his CV, but it was a neck success in a 5f course maiden in October 2016. Not far away when approx 2½L fifth to Athollblair Boy over C&D last month.

Form: 320755

(5)

Major Crispies^b²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 70| D

11/1

Not the most regular of winners and not quite managed to score for this trainer after being picked up out of a Lingfield claimer in March (ex Jeremy Gask). Beaten ½L over C&D by Athollblair Boy latest, but 2lb better off tonight.

Form: 438962

(9)

Hamish Mcgonagain^p⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 70| D

12/1

Like his stablemate Major Crispies, he joined this trainer from Jeremy Gask earlier in the campaign, landing a touch at Nottingham in August (5f good to soft). Not over-raced since, but 7lb higher now back on the AW.

Form: 454315

(4)

Control Centre^p⁷⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Barry McHugh| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 71| D

40/1

Tapeta proven (Wolverhampton) but looks a little high in the weights at present. Finished only fourth of seven to Suitcase 'N' Taxi over 6f at Carlisle in early August, but certainly one to keep an eye on going forward.

Form: 2-16304

(6)

Benjamin Thomas^v⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 70| D

16/1

His sole career success at Catterick in June (6f soft) was somewhat of a penalty kick, and it's fair to say that he's shown only mixed form since then. Tailed off latest, but down in the weights to a career low mark for AW bow.

Form: 319250

(8)

The Amber Fort²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Josh Doyle⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 70| D

7/1

One of three runners in this contest for his trainer, and ultra consistent from similar marks mid summer. Turf or AW, it is all much of a muchness to him, and with form linked to Major Crispies, his chance isn't dissimilar to his stablemate.

Form: 823325

(12)

Avenue Of Stars^p³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: P J McDonald| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 65| BF| D

18/1

Not at his best here previously, but has won on Tapeta at Wolverhampton, and is in better form now as his mark slowly eases. Runner up at Hamilton (6f soft) on his penultimate start early last month, and stable ticking along nicely.

Form: 770428

Non-Runners

(14)

See The Sun¹⁹

Weight: 9-2| Age: 6

T: T D Easterby J: T Hamilton

(2)

Ace Master⁴⁸

Weight: 9-1| Age: 9

T: S R Bowring J: Patrick Pilley

Forecasts

Athollblair Boy (4/1), My Dad Syd (9/2), See The Sun (9/2), Perfect Symphony (11/2), Samarmadi (7/1), The Amber Fort (7/1), Major Crispies (11/1), Hamish Mcgonagain (12/1), Benjamin Thomas (16/1), Avenue Of Stars (18/1), Mr Orange (28/1), Manatee Bay (33/1), Ace Master (33/1), Control Centre (40/1)

A myriad of interwoven form-lines, and with a trio of very similar runners representing David O'Meara, if this is the getting out stakes for the day, you'll need plenty of luck! Athollblair Boy is a solid performer at this track, but he's 2lb worse off with Major Crispies for ½L, and probably needs a recent career best to follow up. My Dad Syd has finished a runner up on both previous visits to this track (and is closely matched with Athollblair Boy), but he returns to the North East from his Worcestershire base fully respected. In truth, precious few of the runners hold any secrets from the handicapper with perhaps the exception of the lightly raced Samarmadi, but his recent form has been so poor he couldn't be supported with any real confidence despite the switch back to the AW. Therefore, we'll aim a dart at the top-weighted veteran MANATEE BAY. He was solid over C&D around this time last year (for David Nicholls), and gave his late former trainers wife Alex a most poignant success when scoring at Carlisle in August.