16:00 Newcastle

Wednesday 17 January 2018

All16:0016:3017:0017:3018:0018:30

Betway Handicap

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 3m 41.52s

(4)

Buyer Beware¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: C Lee⁽³⁾| T: P Holmes| OR: 65

16/1

Maiden hurdle winner for Gordon Elliott in March 2016 at Downpatrick (2m2f, good), but hasn't been overly competitive since switched to this trainer. On the Flat for the first time since August, and makes his Newcastle debut from a falling mark.

Form: 8/96549-

(5)

Hallstatt^t³⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 9-11| J: J Fanning| T: J Mackie| OR: 64| CD

6/1

Veteran who is just 3lb higher than when scoring over C&D in September (beat Shine Baby Shine by a neck), and has run some reasonable races in defeat since. Likely to be aided by another vastly experienced rider.

Form: 651324-

(9)

Apalis^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁷⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 64| CD

13/8

Three-time winner in France who is on a roll now having switched back to Tapeta, winning her last two starts over C&D (Class 6). 4lb higher than when beating Thankyou Very Much by 2¼L latest, and her trainer remains in excellent form.

Form: 59471-1

(8)

Rubenesque^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: S Donohoe| T: Gemma Anderson| OR: 59| D

7/1

Dropped 1lb since finishing just over 3L fourth to Apalis over C&D earlier this month. That race was her first start for this trainer (ex Irish racer), and she should be stronger for that run this afternoon.

Form: P2214-4

(1)

Leodis¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: A Mullen| T: T P Tate| OR: 56

8/1

Steps into handicap company for the first time as something of an unknown following a pair of previous efforts in bumpers, and a trio of Flat starts in 1m4f maidens. Market helpful on Tapeta debut.

Form: 95-5

(6)

Thankyou Very Much^b,t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: P Mulrennan| T: J D Bethell| OR: 55| D

4/1

Likeable mare who has filled the runner up berth on her last two starts over C&D (off this mark), including when beaten 2¼L by Apalis latest. 4lb better off today, but questionable as to whether or not that's quite enough.

Form: 848/27-2

(3)

Archibelle¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Noel Garbutt⁽³⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 51

10/1

Now a 13 race maiden, and was trying this trip for the first time when beaten almost 5L (sixth) by Apalis over C&D latest. Dropped 2lb since, so now 6lb better off with the winner.

Form: 58837-6

(2)

Hugoigo¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 51

25/1

Hadn't show much in maiden company prior to making his handicap debut over C&D earlier this month (first start in six months). Has a mountain to climb with Apalis and others based upon that showing.

Form: 555-0

(7)

Jan Smuts^p,t¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 8-7| J: Shane Gray| T: W Storey| OR: 46| CD

25/1

His sole success on the AW in 20 starts came over C&D from an 11lb lower mark in January 2017, but he was beaten many lengths by Apalis latest, and it's impossible to see why a reversal could be on the cards.

Form: 24675-9

Forecasts

Apalis (13/8), Thankyou Very Much (4/1), Hallstatt (6/1), Rubenesque (7/1), Leodis (8/1), Archibelle (10/1), Buyer Beware (16/1), Jan Smuts (25/1), Hugoigo (25/1)

APALIS left five of these rivals toiling when scoring by 2¼L over C&D earlier in the month, and a subsequent 4lb rise in the weights looks more than fair, meaning that she's now just 6lb above her initial mark prior to the winning run commencing. Thankyou Very Much (4lb), Rubenesque (5lb) and Archibelle (6lb) were the closest of her pursuers, and meet the Mick Easterby trained mare on revised terms today. Potentially, it could be Rubenesque who comes out second best here assuming that she's stronger on her second start for Gemma Anderson, and can hang tough on the front end for just a fraction longer.