17:45 Newcastle

Wednesday 28 March 2018

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

Betway Handicap

Off time: 17:46 | Winning time: 2m 45.27s

(1)

Kings Gold^p,t¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽³⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 67

12/1

Has more than likely needed both C&D starts in 2018; returning from a 17-month absence. Handicap mark slowly easing and whilst now a 10-race maiden, he clearly handles this track well enough.

Form: 2333/06

(7)

Hussar Ballad⁶⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 66| D

14/1

Generally strongest on the AW at Wolverhampton and was a winner over 1m6f there in October 2017. However, his sole career success on turf came at this track (1m2f) and there's little doubt that he's also fine here on synthetics.

Form: 44610-6

(3)

Esspeegee^p⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Darragh Keenan⁽⁷⁾| T: A Bailey| OR: 64| BF| CD

7/2

Rock-solid since registering a first career victory at Brighton in mid-September, winning four on the bounce. His record over this C&D reads 2,1,1, and whilst 7lb higher than when beating Henpecked by 1¼L in January, he holds a chance.

Form: 3111-12

(2)

Champagne Rules¹⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S A Watt| OR: 61| CD

7/2

Absolutely blitzed his rivals when scoring over C&D in an apprentices handicap in late October and followed up in style off the same mark at Kempton next time. Off since early November but it's unlikely a 9lb rise is enough to thwart the hat-trick.

Form: 305411-

(8)

Something Brewing²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jamie Gormley⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 62| C

9/4

Finished behind Esspeegee (fourth) over C&D in January, but would've went much closer under a better ride. Made amends upped to 2m in a jumpers bumper here earlier in the month, and rates as dangerously handicapped off his current Flat mark (62).

Form: 0078-46

(6)

Magistral^p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 58

12/1

You have to go back to July 2013 to find the only win on his CV, in a Windsor maiden (1m) for John Gosden. Back over a trip which suits (dual C&D runner up). A major threat to Esspeegee at least on revised terms.

Form: 6402-09

(9)

Love Candy²³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: B A Curtis| T: Sally Haynes| OR: 56

25/1

€28,000 daughter of Canford Cliffs. Yet to make any impression on turf, but switched to handicap company for her AW debut, so plausible that could lead to an improved showing.

Form: 936-

(5)

Hugoigo^p1¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 48

22/1

Not had masses of racing experience (a six race maiden), but generally disappointing since upped in trip to 2m. Falling in the weights with cheek-pieces applied for the first time as he drops back in trip.

Form: 555-050

(10)

Good Man^p²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-5| J: L Morris| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 45

12/1

Unraced for Godolphin and sold for £18,000 in May 2016 (€200,000 yearling). Generally disappointing for this trainer over a variety of trips and racing surfaces, and lines up now as a ten race maiden.

Form: 306-077

(4)

Rossington¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 8-5| J: Barry McHugh| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 45

250/1

No worthwhile form for many a moon and finished tailed off on his first start for seven months here earlier this month (1m). Has broken blood vessels in the past over hurdles, and is a 28-race maiden (0 from 11 Flat).

Form: 04777/0

Forecasts

Something Brewing (9/4), Esspeegee (7/2), Champagne Rules (7/2), Good Man (12/1), Magistral (12/1), Kings Gold (12/1), Hussar Ballad (14/1), Hugoigo (22/1), Love Candy (25/1), Rossington (250/1)

A competitive opener with a number of in-form horses in the line up. Espeegee had won four races on the bounce, including a couple over C&D prior to the winning run ending at Lingfield latest. He's respected but the handicapper has taken aim and he has plenty on to confirm C&D form with Magistral. Conversely Something Brewing is potentially well treated from his current mark following a fluent success in a 2m jumpers bumper, but the standout selection is the Sharon Watt trained CHAMPAGNE RULES. He's on a hat-trick following emphatic early season successes, and a 9lb rise in the weights for his Kempton victory in November shouldn't be enough to thwart his progress.