15:00 Newcastle

Thursday 11 January 2018

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

Betway Casino Handicap

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 2m 46.89s

(6)

Luv U Whatever^t⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Barry McHugh| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 70| D

8/1

Fibresand is his preferred underfoot surface, but it's fair to say he's become a shade inconsistent nowadays with a decent run often backed up by a lesser effort. Fine over this trip, which is more suitable than the extended 1m1f at Wolverhampton.

Form: 62203-0

(5)

Genres²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: G Lee| T: R Menzies| OR: 70| CD

10/1

Most effective on Tapeta (C&D winner), but a largely promising career has been slowed by a tendency to break blood vessels. His new trainer has taken a chance on him, but a switch to hurdles didn't go well, so plan 'b' is now deployed.

Form: 4-13P17

(9)

Itlaaq^t⁵²

Age: 12| Weight: 9-7| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁷⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 67| D

8/1

Veteran who is nearly as old as his rider, and hasn't won since the summer of 2016 (1m4f at Thirsk). Not had many AW starts (just three), and his trainer has his string in good order, but others look far more likely.

Form: 655735-

(3)

Four Mile Beach^v⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Rachel Richardson⁽³⁾| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 65

14/1

With opportunities over hurdles limited at present in the North, this gelding switches back to the Flat. Remains an 18 race maiden (all codes), but proved he handled Tapeta in his early days with Mark Johnston.

Form: 32338/0-

(2)

Somnambulist^p1⁸³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Hart| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 65| BF

7/1

Cheek-pieces are applied following a tame effort over 1m2f here in October, and the handicapper has also cut him 2lb slack. Hard to win with, and now a 13 race maiden, with his better efforts all coming over shorter trips.

Form: 335640-

(10)

Galilee Chapel^b²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: P Mulrennan| T: A C Whillans| OR: 60| C| D

25/1

A capable performer when on song (4 from 22 on the AW), and there's little doubt that he can win races from his current mark. Dismal latest, and you'd be taking a chance if supporting him, but equally, you could do far worse.

Form: 700030-

(8)

Theglasgowwarrior²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: P J McDonald| T: J S Goldie| OR: 62| CD

8/11

His trainer has been amongst the winners here lately, and this lad added to that tally when winning over C&D in mid December from a 3lb lower mark (beat subsequent dual winner King Kevin by ½L). Major player; 1 from 1 on synthetics.

Form: 329451-

(7)

The Foozler^p1²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: A Mullen| T: P D Niven| OR: 55

25/1

Hasn't shown all that much in maiden company thus far, but wasn't totally disgraced despite finishing last of six at massive odds over C&D last month. Goes handicapping from a lowly mark in first time cheek-pieces.

Form: 6586-

(4)

Pegi Browne⁸⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: J Fanning| T: P T Midgley| OR: 50

50/1

Mare who didn't exactly cut the mustard in Ireland for Michael O'Callaghan, and raced over just 7f on her stable debut at Kempton in October. Tackles a much different trip today, but holds little chance unless the market speaks.

Form: 060/880-

Non-Runners

(1)

Falcon's Fire³

Weight: 8-12| Age: 5

T: K Dalgleish J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Theglasgowwarrior (8/11), Somnambulist (7/1), Itlaaq (8/1), Luv U Whatever (8/1), Falcon's Fire (8/1), Genres (10/1), Four Mile Beach (14/1), Galilee Chapel (25/1), The Foozler (25/1), Pegi Browne (50/1)

Another contest where it is a challenge to remain enthusiastic about the vast majority of the field, therefore with Jim Goldie firing in a steady flow of Newcastle winners over the past few weeks, supporting THEGLASGOWWARRIOR looks by far the safest approach. He beat a subsequent dual winner (King Kevin) when scoring over C&D on his AW debut last month, so he remains very well treated despite a nominal 3lb rise. At more attractive prices, one could do far worse than throwing a few each-way shekels at Galilee Chapel, who is fully effective at this track on a going day and is handicapped to win more races.