18:55 Newcastle

Tuesday 1 May 2018

All17:2017:5518:2518:5519:2519:5520:25

Gainford Group Handicap

Off time: 18:56 | Winning time: 3m 36.36s

(7)

Bal De Rio³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Ben Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 77| CD

7/4

Maiden over jumps, though useful in that sphere, scored over this C&D in March and no reason not to anticipate another strong showing.

Form: 835/53-1

(8)

Chebsey Beau¹⁹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 72

28/1

In decent form last year, scoring twice on the Flat and once over fences. Returns now from six months off and will be in the mix if ready to roll.

Form: 061103-

(2)

Caged Lightning^p⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: T Hamilton| T: S Gollings| OR: 72| D

25/1

His back-to-back handicap wins on Fibresand seem a long time now and his recent efforts here have only been creditable. Handicapper keeps him on the same mark as those two efforts and looks to face a tough task off this mark.

Form: 641-628

(1)

Cray²⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: K Stott| T: J D Bethell| OR: 72

10/1

Consistent last season, winning over 1m6f (good) at Wetherby in May. Faded late on in sole try over 2m, so must prove stamina having been gelded over the winter.

Form: 162665-

(6)

Hediddodinthe^p¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jamie Gormley⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 72| CD

11/10

Scored wide-margin win over C&D last month, more on his plate this time but lightly-raced and probably has more to offer.

Form: 029-221

(4)

Italian Riviera^h²⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: P Mulrennan| T: Kenneth Slack| OR: 70| D

14/1

Dual purpose performer who struggled to get his head in front off this sort of mark last season. Returns from an eight month break and has work to do.

Form: 071/242-

(5)

Pantomime¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-5| J: A Mullen| T: R Menzies| OR: 45

33/1

Finished fourth over C&D last month behind Hediddodinthe, though was 20L down on that rival. Hard to see dramatic turnaround.

Form: 557434

(3)

Archibelle⁸²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: J P Sullivan| T: R M Smith| OR: 53| CD

16/1

Archipenko filly was a winner over C&D in February when last spotted, she isn't consistent and cannot be relied upon for a similar effort, though she'd be in the mix if she does.

Form: 837-681

Forecasts

Hediddodinthe (11/10), Bal De Rio (7/4), Cray (10/1), Italian Riviera (14/1), Archibelle (16/1), Caged Lightning (25/1), Chebsey Beau (28/1), Pantomime (33/1)

Hediddodinthe romped home by 18L over C&D last time out, he's an obvious starting point now, but he must compete from 16lb higher in the ratings and might just find that beyond him. Archibelle also scored here when last spotted and has to be respected. Italian Riviera is capable but struggles to win and so BAL DE RIO, a C&D winner in March, can defy a mere 7lb rise to double up.