16:55 Newcastle

Thursday 8 February 2018

All14:0514:4015:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

sunbets.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 16:56 | Winning time: 1m 42.53s

(13)

Sir Ottoman²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: I Furtado| OR: 79

10/1

Three time winner in France (6 to 6½f), but yet to trouble the judge in six starts in England. Dropping in the weights/easing in grade.

Form: 90069-5

(4)

Lost At Sea^v²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: C Lee⁽³⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 79

10/1

On the premises in a small field 1m novice stakes event at Lingfield latest, but has essentially been a disappointment since making a winning debut at Doncaster (6f) in September 2016. Current easing mark helpful.

Form: 9/990-83

(5)

Marylebone^t¹²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: S Donohoe| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 79

20/1

Hasn't stood too much in the way of racing, with the pick of his six starts coming over 7f on the Kempton Polytrack. 1lb lower than when 2¾L third to Accidental Angel in September, but has left Ed Walker for 10,000 gns since.

Form: 610/030-

(11)

Bob Maxwell²¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Barron| OR: 77

12/1

Ran well when beaten 3¼L by Hugin in a 7f maiden here in May, but absent since a modest handicap debut at Carlisle in July (well beaten). Unexposed and of interest assuming all is well after a break.

Form: 5248-

(10)

Ascot Week^p1³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 76

33/1

Now a six race maiden. Left Owen Burrows for 28,000 gns in July 2017 after finishing third on his handicap debut at Doncaster (1m). Definitely has more to offer his new connections, and should make an impression with time. Wears cheek-pieces.

Form: 5/7430-3

(9)

Thello³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: J P Sullivan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 76| CD

8/1

Has a stack of Newcastle experience for a number of trainers. Effective between 1m and 1m2f, he was given a 9lb rise by the assessor for his ready 3L C&D success in early December, and that looks rather plentiful.

Form: 56261-0

(1)

Trooper's Gold²⁶⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 75| C

4/1

Raced sparingly as a three-year-old, having just a couple of starts (disappointing) after a promising juvenile campaign. Track and trip ideal, so could well have a positive role to play if ready to rock and roll after nine months off the track.

Form: 2321/77-

(3)

Wonderfillo¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: P Makin| T: D O'Meara| OR: 75

9/1

Having finished runner up on five of his six career starts, he can definitely be labelled as consistent. Formerly with Paul Cole, this is just his third start for this yard, but AW proven, he should find a race, or two, eventually.

Form: 42222-2

(12)

Cadeau Magnifique^p³⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 75| D

9/1

Hasn't raced since March 2017 when beaten ½L by General Hazard over 1m2f at this track. Solid over this C&D previously (twice a runner up), the handicapper is showing a clear reluctance to make his task easier than it needs to be.

Form: 2222/82-

(2)

Newmarket Warrior^p³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: K Shoemark| T: I Jardine| OR: 71| CD

13/2

Doesn't always deliver the goods in the heat of the battle, and needs producing as late as possible. That said; he's a dual C&D winner who doesn't deserve too much criticism after a spell of reasonable Newcastle efforts.

Form: 24134-3

(8)

International Law^p¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 71| D

25/1

Sold for 30,000 gns not long after dead-heating at Windsor for Brian Meehan in late October (1m soft). Made a respectable stable/AW debut at Wolverhampton recently when 4¾L fourth to Maestro Mac (1m1f+) and improvement is to be expected.

Form: 75871-4

(6)

Symbolic Star^p³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 69| CD

14/1

All bar one of his five career success have come at this track (7f x1, C&D x3). Given a 6lb rise for his latest success, and steps up in grade requiring a career best effort, but goes very well for this young rider.

Form: 17187-1

(7)

King Oswald^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Josephine Gordon| T: J W Unett| OR: 66| BF| CD

7/1

In decent order in Class 6 handicaps, and was a winner over C&D from a 4lb lower mark in mid January (beat Cookie Ring by 1¾L). However, hasn't raced in this grade for a number of races, and yet to prove he's good enough.

Form: 552-412

Forecasts

Trooper's Gold (4/1), Newmarket Warrior (13/2), King Oswald (7/1), Thello (8/1), Cadeau Magnifique (9/1), Wonderfillo (9/1), Lost At Sea (10/1), Sir Ottoman (10/1), Bob Maxwell (12/1), Symbolic Star (14/1), Marylebone (20/1), International Law (25/1), Ascot Week (33/1)

A competitive 1m handicap which should generate a plethora of future winners, but isn't the kind of race in which to be seeking nap material. There are horses from a wide range of abilities in the line up, with those towards the top end of the weights taking a marked drop in class (Sir Ottoman and Lost At Sea), whilst some of those at the foot of the weights, including course specialist Symbolic Star are stepping outside of their Class 6 comfort zones for the very first time. We know far less about the returning Bob Maxwell and Troopers Gold, but both horses handle this track well and are relatively unexposed in handicap company, so make some form of appeal. However, in a wide open race, we'll chance the well-being of CADEAU MAGNIFIQUE. His current mark is probably stiff enough, but with some respectable Newcastle form in the bank, he rates as solid a selection as any of the other runners.