13:40 Newcastle

Tuesday 24 October 2017

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

Betway Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 2m 42.14s

(14)

Pertuis¹⁷⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 9-12| J: Ross Turner⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 60| D

66/1

Well into the veteran stage now, not seen out since finishing well beaten at Thirsk in late April and although on a fair mark now, likelihood is that he'll need this after a break.

Form: 96318-7

(4)

Ghostly Arc²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Natalie Hambling| T: N Wilson| OR: 57

14/1

Only the one win in 21 starts but might appreciate drop back to this trip (and change of surface) after a few below ar efforts. Takes a drop in grade too and no surprise if faring a little better today.

Form: 3529-59

(12)

Titus Bolt¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Sean Mooney⁽³⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 57| D

40/1

May well have needed recent run at Musselburgh after almost two years away, but it didn't really reveal enough about his current wellbeing and the yard continue to struggle with their runners at present.

Form: 44421/0

(8)

Lozah³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Ben Sanderson⁽³⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 55| C

12/1

Worth a go at this trip after finishing a staying-on second at Beverley (over 1m2f) in August and has run to a similar level last two starts. Can't be ruled out of that does have a positive effect, as he's a bit less exposed than most here.

Form: 389268

(10)

Toola Boola^v³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽⁵⁾| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 53

33/1

Just the one win on the board, but should be a bit fitter for last months's pipe-opener after a break and has form over C&D. Enough positives there to make her a threat in this weak looking event.

Form: 3870-30

(11)

Champagne Rules¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Connor Murtagh| T: Mrs S A Watt| OR: 52

17/2

Popped up at Nottingham in July (not unbacked despite 20/1 price tag) and mainly solid efforts since then, although step up to 1m4f today asks a new question (well beaten only try at it recently). Others preferred.

Form: 013054

(6)

Dyna Might^p¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Seamus Cronin⁽³⁾| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 57| D

12/1

Won over this trip (and in better grade) at Thirsk in June but all downhill since then, and latest two efforts leave plenty to be desired. Wellbeing now in question and on that, makes little appeal here.

Form: 214400

(7)

Highway Robber¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Paula Muir| T: W Storey| OR: 50

12/1

Back to last winning mark when making all at Hamilton in the summer, not so good latest but trip on the short side there, and will appreciate step back up to 1m4f here. Has form on the surface and not discounted.

Form: 133546

(9)

Angel In The Snow³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Sebastian Woods⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 48

15/8

Best runs recently have come at this trip, and another solid effort to finish third over this C&D last time out. That's a good a piece of form that anything brings into the race, and makes him an obvious one for the shortlist.

Form: 34-6253

(13)

Wee Bogus^p²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Rhona Pindar⁽⁷⁾| T: A C Whillans| OR: 48

66/1

Beaten huge distances recently and hasn't done any better for the step into handicap company. Hard to see where the necessary improvement is coming from, and hard to fancy.

Form: 945760

(2)

Palindrome²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Harrison Shaw⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 46

4/1

Yet to win in 13 starts but best effort for a while when third (on first run for this yard) at Beverley latest start. This step up in trip likely to suit on that, and could be that new trainer will yet find a bit more improvement.

Form: 830543

(3)

Bilko's Back^t²⁰⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Russell Harris⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 45

150/1

Well beaten at huge prices on all starts to date and difficult to make any sort of case out for.

Form: 860-780

(5)

Red Star Dancer^b1³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Gabriele Malune⁽³⁾| T: T D Barron| OR: 49

8/1

Not totally disgraced when fourth in heavy ground at Ayr earlier in the month but couldn't repeat that run last time out. Connections go for the headgear today and quick turnaround suggests all is well despite that poor effort. Not discounted.

Form: 660846

(1)

Naupaka⁹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Jamie Gormley| T: B Ellison| OR: 45

25/1

Yet to win in 13 starts and although he has the odd bit of form on this surface, she's taking a big step up in trip here and that looks more in hope than anything. Young enough to do better, but hard to make a solid case for at present.

Form: 859985

Forecasts

Angel In The Snow (15/8), Palindrome (4/1), Red Star Dancer (8/1), Champagne Rules (17/2), Highway Robber (12/1), Lozah (12/1), Dyna Might (12/1), Ghostly Arc (14/1), Naupaka (25/1), Toola Boola (33/1), Titus Bolt (40/1), Wee Bogus (66/1), Pertuis (66/1), Bilko's Back (150/1)

ANGEL IN THE SNOW brings some solid form to the table in a race full of ifs-and-buts and a reproduction of his effort here last time out must take him close. Ghostly Arc might do better for the switch to sand and is likely to be ridden prominently, both of which might spark a better effort here. He can take the silver, with Red Star Dancer and Palindrome others worth a look.