sunbets.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 19:15 | Winning time: 1m 42.27s

(1)

Testa Rossa^b⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 87| CD

5/1

Returned from a 55-day break to exploit a good mark and easily beat some in-form rivals. This promises to be tougher off 10lb higher, but he has been competitive off a similar rating in the none too distant past

Form: 62635-1

(3)

Kentuckyconnection⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 85

8/1

His best effort of 2017 came here in the class 2 Seaton Delaval. Has failed to reproduce that in three subsequent starts, but returns to this venue for the first time since and obvious claims if running to a similar level.

Form: 052090-

(6)

Arnarson^p²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: R Havlin| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 82

9/2

Proved difficult to win with as a three-year-old, but looks more straightforward nowadays. No Newcastle issues (ran well here in the past), but raised 5lb for a recent 7f Chelmsford success (beat the thriving Spare Parts).

Form: 53-1531

(4)

Lost At Sea^v¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: C Lee⁽³⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 82

11/4

One of three in this that contested a similar contest here two weeks ago and did best of that trio having dictated a steady tempo. Similar tactics likely this time and some of these will be inconvenienced if that proves to be the case.

Form: 90-8322

(2)

Mutarakez¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 80| D

4/1

Finished behind Lost At Sea here last time when missing the break in a race that was not run to suit. If breaking on terms this time and finding himself better placed when the pace quickens, then every possibility he can reverse the form.

Form: 30066-3

(5)

Zabeel Star¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Jamie Gormley⁽⁵⁾| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 73| BF| D

4/1

Fairly consistent on the AW overall, but perhaps his standards have slipped just a little lately. The handicapper seemingly has his measure at present, but probably better over further than this and will want a stronger gallop than seems likely.

Form: 642-355

Forecasts

Lost At Sea (11/4), Zabeel Star (4/1), Mutarakez (4/1), Arnarson (9/2), Testa Rossa (5/1), Kentuckyconnection (8/1)

Testa Rossa impressed here last time but the handicapper may have his revenge this time. Arnarson is unlikely to have this run to suit as Lost At Sea is likely to repeat the front-running tactics and slow fractions that have seen him go close on his last two starts. MUTARAKEZ was not far behind Karl Burke's charge here last time when he found himself in a hopeless position when the pace quickened up. That was his first run for Ruth Carr and he will strip fitter and wiser for it.