15:55 Newcastle

Friday 30 March 2018

All13:4014:1014:4515:2015:5516:2516:55

32Red Burradon Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:59 | Winning time: 1m 37.49s

(4)

Another Batt²⁰⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: George Scott| OR: 101

25/1

Improved throughout the 2017/18 turf season, building upon low-key novice victories at Ripon (5f) and Ayr (6f) with a trio of placed efforts in Listed races (6f-7f) before Group 3 success in Turkey in September. Carries a 3lb penalty on AW debut.

Form: 813231-

(7)

Dark Acclaim¹⁵⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: David Egan| T: M Botti| OR: 95

14/1

Ready winner of a 7f soft ground novice event at Doncaster on his second career start in July, but not quite strong enough in Listed contests thereafter, rounding off the season by finishing 3L third to Connect at Pontefract in October. AW debut.

Form: 4143-

(3)

De Medici²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Edward Greatrex| T: A Watson| BF| D

12/1

Makfi gelding who showed signs of greeness on debut at Lingfield last month, but ultimately ran out a most decisive 1¼L winner. Met trouble in the run next time, so slightly unfortunate but has plenty on in this company today.

Form: 13

(8)

Fortune's Pearl²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 100

8/1

Twice a winner as a juvenile, with both of those races coming over 7f on good ground. Ran well in a Group 3 contest at Newmarket in September and again on his seasonal reappearance at Kempton latest (1m), finishing 2L third to Gronkowski.

Form: 1415-3

(9)

Freescape²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Allan| T: D Marnane| OR: 90

33/1

6f AW maiden winner at Dundalk in August 2017, but has progressed since then and has had the benefit of some Dubai winter sunshine. No chance with the winner Zaman when finishing 4¾L third latest (1m Listed, Meydan).

Form: 3103-93

(2)

Great Prospector¹⁶⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 106

16/1

His trainer took the inaugural running of the Burradon Stakes with Forest Ranger in 2017 and this colt ended his juvenile campaign by finishing sixth of nine to US Navy Flag in the 7f Dewhurst Stakes. Solid, but with stamina reservations.

Form: 13246-

(10)

Gronkowski^b²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: J Noseda| CD

13/8

Cost 300,000 gns as a juvenile, and is unbeaten in three starts on synthetics, with a tilt at the Kentucky Derby firmly on the agenda. A strong, imposing sort with previous C&D experience; he'll prove very tough to beat.

Form: 721-11

(5)

Iconic Sunset⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: L Morris| T: J Tate| OR: 89

33/1

Beat Battle Lines by 6L when bringing his synthetics record to 2/3 on his seasonal reappearance at Wolverhampton last month (1m1f+). Drop in trip not guaranteed to suit and plenty to find ratings wise on these terms (at levels).

Form: 22813-1

(1)

Purser¹⁶⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 102| BF

7/2

On the scene twice in Group 3 company as a juvenile (7f Solario Stakes/1m Autumn Stakes) and was an easy winner of both other career starts. Much more to offer this term with his trainer 18/48 (38%) at Newcastle since May 2016.

Form: 1413-

(6)

Nyaleti¹⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: J F Egan| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 106

7/1

Sole filly in the line up (receives weight), but showed her immense strength by racing eight times as a juvenile; almost exclusively in Class 1 contests. A Group 3 winner (Ascot), she last raced in the Group 1 Fillies Mile at Newmarket in October.

Form: 216329-

Forecasts

Gronkowski (13/8), Purser (7/2), Nyaleti (7/1), Fortune's Pearl (8/1), De Medici (12/1), Dark Acclaim (14/1), Great Prospector (16/1), Another Batt (25/1), Iconic Sunset (33/1), Freescape (33/1)

With the talking nearly done and dusted, it's finally time for the re-routed GRONKOWSKI to stand tall and deliver in his toughest test to date by far. However, he's a fine physical specimen and with connections seemingly bullish about his chance en route to the Kentucky Derby, here's hoping that he can make the second running of the Listed Burradon Stakes slightly more memorable than the inaugural contest in 2017. Chief market rivals Purser and Nyaleti sport impressive juvenile Group race experience, with the former perhaps having slightly more in the way of potential improvement too offer for a trainer with a most impressive strike-rate at this track.