18:00 Newcastle
Wednesday 6 December 2017
All15:2516:0016:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:00
sunbets.co.uk Handicap
- 3YO plus | Class 5 | 7f 14y | Standard | 14 Runners | Allweather | Weighed In
- Off time: 18:03 | Winning time: 1m 25.03s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Both of his career successes have come over sprint trips, so stepping down from 1m (slowly) looks a step in the right direction. Not yet inspired for his current trainer, but his much reduced mark is becoming ever more alluring.
Enjoyed a productive early few months of 2017 proving rock-solid on Fibresand at Southwell, and winning on turf at Doncaster (7f) in April, but has lost his way since. Off since July but can win more races; probably at Southwell in the weeks ahead.
Won over 7f on turf at Sandown for Andrew Balding in July 2016, but had his last start for that stable in September 2016. Back from over a year off for this trainer at Newmarket last month, and could build upon a fair return sixth.
Infrequent winner who was in particularly good order during the summer months (Ascot and Goodwood placed), but the winning opportunity looks to have bypassed him for now as he seemingly begins to train off. 7f is probably his optimum trip.
Off the mark at the eighth attempt in a Beverley maiden in September before a low key display later that month. However, freshened up and a winner over C&D on AW debut early last month (made all), and returns to action from just 3lb higher.
A shock debut scorer in an admittedly poor 6f maiden here twelve days ago, but is a half-brother to the 7f AW winner Mostashreqah, so shouldn't be unduly inconvenienced by the step up in trip for his handicap debut.
Has left her previous trainer Mark Johnston for 16,000 gns (July 2017) since her last start in March. Unbeaten in two starts over C&D, but 2lb higher than when beating Barwah by a neck in February.
Won by a neck on his AW/handicap debut at Kempton in November 2016, but hit with a 10lb rise for that success, and just seen once in competitive action since, at Leicester in April (tailed off).
Part of the fixtures and fittings at Newcastle, regularly competing on the AW over 7f, but generally finding a couple stronger. Did manage to break his duck at Doncaster in August (7f good), but holds precious few secrets from the handicapper.
Looked an unlucky loser over C&D in September when fourth to Rock Warbler, but you'd be in the poor house if you'd followed him blindly since. Should win another race eventually and has form with Equiano Springs, but it's advised to look elsewhere.
In the hunt when fourth to Newmarket Warrior over C&D in mid October, but has left his race in the stalls on both occasions since, and in truth that unsettling experience here early last month looks to have left it's mark.
Has raced here on seven occasions since the introduction of Tapeta, and is fast becoming a core element in 7f AW class 5/6 handicaps. Possibly a fraction high in the weights now, but Planetaria (5.30pm) could further boost his latest C&D third.
Back to form with a surprise success at Yarmouth (7f good to soft) in late October, and not beaten all that far when a keeping on fifth over a shorter trip at Wolverhampton subsequently (AW debut). Poised for a big run back over 7f.
A winner for John Gosden back in 2013 (1m), but hasn't managed to win since despite doing the rounds with various trainers. Nearest at the finish over 1m when 6¼L fourth to Rey Loopy here on stable debut last month.
Forecasts
My Amigo (9/2), Acrux (9/2), King of Nepal (5/1), Deansgate (8/1), Equiano Springs (9/1), Gun Case (9/1), Able Jack (10/1), Tommy G (14/1), Bobby Joe Leg (16/1), Zoravan (18/1), Our Greta (20/1), Magistral (20/1), Majdool (28/1), Spinwheel (100/1)
The majority of this field are Newcastle regulars, with the likes of Gun Case, Deansgate and the exasperating Acrux holding very few secrets from the handicapper. The Alistair Whillans trained five-year-old is the most consistent of that trio, and a positive effort from Planetaria in the previous race would represent a solid form boost. However, the winner lies elsewhere with a less exposed horse. Able Jack is of obvious interest on just his second start for Stuart Williams, but the solution to this competitive handicap comes in the shape of a lightly raced AW participant. Mick Appleby's OUR GRETA was a turf winner over this trip at Yarmouth in late October, but found things happening a shade too quickly over a shorter trip at Wolverhampton on her AW debut latest, and looks poised for a bold showing now upped to a stiff 7f under Ben Curtis.
- Our Greta
- Able Jack
- My Amigo
Prize Money
1st: £2,911.002nd: £866.003rd: £433.004th: £216.00
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