18:45 Newcastle

Friday 9 February 2018

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Betway Casino Handicap

Off time: 18:46 | Winning time: 1m 12.88s

(5)

Karijini²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Edward Greatrex| T: A Watson| OR: 85| D

11/4

2-2 since joining this yard and made a mockery of her BHA rating by slamming higher rated rivals in a conditions race four weeks ago. That run looked worth more than the 12lb she has been raised so it would be no surprise to see her go in again.

Form: 361-1

(4)

Heaven's Guest³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 85| D

8/1

Last win came in July 2015 and has not won over this trip since 2013. On a good mark, but has been for some time.

Form: 34802-5

(6)

Florencio^p²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: T Hamilton| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 84| D

15/2

Equally effective at 6f and 7,f but the key to him appears to be his handicap mark with his winning performances coming from ratings of 80-81.

Form: 1476-35

(2)

Firmdecisions³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Lewis Edmunds⁽³⁾| T: N Tinkler| OR: 82

7/1

All seven of his career victories have come over 7f so something to prove on stable debut. Last win came in November 2016 and the lack of headgear raises further doubts.

Form: 00059-2

(7)

Russian Realm¹³²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: P Makin| T: P T Midgley| OR: 82| D

25/1

Has won five races but 0-7 on AW tracks and soft ground seemed the key when successful last term. Yet to score after an absence and will be of more interest for the start of the turf campaign from this kind of mark.

Form: 074159-

(8)

Esprit De Corps¹²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Barron| OR: 81| D

3/1

Often travels well in his races but his sole success came in a modest Bath maiden and joined current yard for 28,000 gns in the autumn. Has questions to answer about his ability to see his races through to the end.

Form: 424520-

(3)

Rich Again^b³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Spencer| T: J D Bethell| OR: 79| C| D

14/1

Recorded a double here over 5f in January 2017 with the latest coming off 5lb higher. Has four victories over this trip and claims following an improved display last time.

Form: 70969-3

(1)

Tommy G²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 74

5/1

Sole win came off this mark at Ayr last May over 7f and has been competitive since dropping to the same rating for his last two starts. Effective over this trip and likely to settle better now than he did last time.

Form: 0785-24

Forecasts

Karijini (11/4), Esprit De Corps (3/1), Tommy G (5/1), Firmdecisions (7/1), Florencio (15/2), Heaven's Guest (8/1), Rich Again (14/1), Russian Realm (25/1)

Rich Again and Tommy G have both dropped to marks which they should be able to exploit if maintaining their current form. Heavens Gate looks nicely weighted too but the trip is a concern, whilst Russian Realm may need the run. Florencio looks high enough in the weights and the jury is out on Esprit De Corps. KARJINI easily conceded weight to a higher rated rival last time and if running to a similar level here, then a 12lb rise in the weights will not be enough to stop her.