16:05 Newcastle

Wednesday 31 January 2018

All16:0516:4017:1517:4518:1518:45

Betway Live Casino Handicap

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 2m 42.78s

(6)

Desert Ruler²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 76| C

13/8

Brave effort when rallying to score here over 10f last time out but not certain an extra two furlongs is ideal. Raised just 1lb though and can't be ruled out of the equation in current form.

Form: 22229-1

(9)

Spes Nostra^b⁹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 9-7| J: P J McDonald| T: R M Smith| OR: 73| C| D

66/1

Landed a 10f handicap here in May of last year before completely losing his way on turf for the rest of the campaign. First start for new connections, but at age of 10 he won't be getting any better.

Form: 807770-

(8)

Brotherly Company¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: P Makin| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 73| D

14/1

Raised 5lb for a good win over this trip at Southwell latest, but had previously run poorly over this C&D and not certain to be as well suited by this surface as the Rolleston Fibresand. Shouldn't be far away though.

Form: 436/6-61

(5)

Kings Gold⁵³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 73

16/1

Absence of 536 days is a big concern but remains unexposed having had just eight career starts, placing six times. Best placed effort was arguably over this C&D so any market interest would be worth noting.

Form: 242333/

(3)

Archipeligo⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Jamie Gormley⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 70| C| D

10/1

Won twice here over 10f in July last year and appears better at that trip than over the extra quarter mile of this contest. Disappointed last two starts but yard in good nick and decent apprentice still claims 5lb.

Form: 5941-99

(2)

Song Of Love^p³³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: B A Curtis| T: S A Harris| OR: 69| DWS

20/1

First run back after wind surgery so may improve on previous efforts. Dropped back to mark similar to winning A/W ratings when trained in Ireland last year. Stays well enough so looks one of the livelier outsiders.

Form: 460047-

(11)

Genres^p1²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: G Lee| T: R Menzies| OR: 68| CD

25/1

Won over C&D in last January but was absent for 7 months when pulling up on hurdling bow for new connections in December. First time cheekpieces applied, dropped 2lb, and good jockey rides again so cannot be discounted.

Form: 13P17-7

(4)

Lazarus^t¹⁰^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: J Mitchell| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 65

9/2

Bought back by trainer for just 4000 guineas at November Sales. Has run well on last three starts, including winning over 10f at Chelmsford last time. 6lb penalty and trying new trip, but must be respected in current form.

Form: 5002-31

(10)

Henpecked^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: P Hanagan| T: A C Whillans| OR: 67

8/1

Placed 8-13 at this track and ran well enough last visit here when runner-up. On a 25-race losing streak and it woud take a big leap of faith to suggest she will score this time. Has place prospects though.

Form: 22008-2

(1)

Luv U Whatever^p¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Barry McHugh| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 67| BF| D

25/1

11-time winner but has gone 16 races since joining current yard without success. Handicapper has relented but has run poorly on all three visits here. Hard to see him winning.

Form: 203-053

(7)

Somnambulist^p²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Jason Hart| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 67

7/2

Frustrating 14-race maiden, but has run well on both starts over course and distance so not out of it getting weight all round. Any sign of market confidence would be a big fillip to his chance.

Form: 35640-2

Forecasts

Desert Ruler (13/8), Somnambulist (7/2), Lazarus (9/2), Henpecked (8/1), Archipeligo (10/1), Brotherly Company (14/1), Kings Gold (16/1), Song Of Love (20/1), Luv U Whatever (25/1), Genres (25/1), Spes Nostra (66/1)

In a tight knit affair the vote goes narrowly to LAZARUS, who appears to have turned over a new leaf of late and has every chance here if he stays and reproduces his brave win at Chelmsford recently. Despite having top weight Desert Ruler shouldn't be far away and is another stepping up in trip. There are no stamina doubts for Brotherly Company, but he has to prove he can deliver on this surface, while Archipeligo and Somnambulist are others with claims.