13:55 Newcastle

Thursday 11 January 2018

All13:5514:2515:0015:3516:0516:3517:05

Betway Live Casino Handicap

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 3m 41.55s

(1)

Gabrial's Star^b¹⁰^{(ex 6)}

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 75| D

10/1

Arrives seeking a hat-trick following a pair of claiming victories at Southwell (1m6f & 1m4f for Richard Fahey). Carries 6lb extra on his first start for this stable, but a useful claimer effectively negates that and more. Stays 2m fine.

Form: 41491-1

(4)

Artful Rogue⁹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: P Mulrennan| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 77

5/2

Yet to win beyond 1m4f, with both career successes coming on Polytrack, the latest for Amanda Perrett in December 2016. Off since October (fourth to Ply) and upped in trip on his first start for a new yard (cost 11,000 gns).

Form: 267354-

(2)

The Resdev Way²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: P J McDonald| T: P A Kirby| OR: 73| C

8/1

A standing dish here in the early days on Tapeta, being a three time course winner over 1m4f. Hasn't shown much over hurdles, or at all for his new trainer, and still remains high in the weights on the AW.

Form: 13/0067-

(5)

Belle De Lawers^p³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: J D Bethell| OR: 69

9/4

Unsuccessful over a range of trips at this track (1m to 2m) since returning to this trainer following a spell in the US. Fallen 16lb in the weights since April, so might make her mark one day, but not over 2m.

Form: 750705-

(7)

Mr Snoozy^p¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Hart| T: M Walford| OR: 64

16/1

Hasn't raced on the Flat since June 2016, but has won off higher marks than this in the past (1m6f+). Hasn't always convinced over hurdles, and has regularly contested sellers, but has at least managed to win three times in 2017.

Form: 366P05/

(3)

Lady Clitico^p⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: G Lee| T: R Menzies| OR: 61| D

20/1

A dual purpose mare who is yet to win over hurdles in 13 starts, but she's proved herself on the Flat, and over this trip by winning at Catterick in May. Not so sharp on synthetics (0 from 7), but slipping in the weights as a result.

Form: 851409-

(6)

Mambo Dancer⁷⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 63

3/1

Not one of the yards leading lights, and is winless in 11 starts (five on synthetics). Can compete in a low grade handicap, but needs to prove definitively that he stays this trip. First start since late October.

Form: 375300-

Forecasts

Belle De Lawers (9/4), Artful Rogue (5/2), Mambo Dancer (3/1), The Resdev Way (8/1), Gabrial's Star (10/1), Mr Snoozy (16/1), Lady Clitico (20/1)

GABRIAL'S STAR joined Marjorie Fife for 6,000 gns following the second of his two successes in Southwell claimers (on New Years Day), and has the ideal opportunity to quickly recoup some of that purchase price in this winnable stayers event. The useful Harrison Shaw is booked to remove a handy 7lb from his back, and that means he's very difficult to oppose for a stable that very much know the time of day. His last visit to this track was in the Northumberland Vase in 2016 (rated 89), and whilst he's clearly not the force of old, he looks far stronger than these rivals. The Resdev Way will get his day eventually back at his favoured track and he's one to monitor for the longer term as his handicap mark begins to fall.