16:50 Newcastle

Thursday 28 June 2018

All13:3014:0014:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:20

Stobart Group Handicap

Off time: 16:51 | Winning time: 1m 27.59s

(9)

Salateen¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: P Makin| T: D O'Meara| OR: 104| D

12/1

Raced mainly on the turf, first try here but a Listed winner on AW at Wolverhampton. Tough ask at York last time but can still be competitive off this mark if taking to the track.

Form: 708160

(4)

Early Morning⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: L Morris| T: H J L Dunlop| OR: 99| D

16/1

In good form at the start of the year with a win and a second at Lingfield, either side of a third in a French Listed race. Subsequently has moved high in the weights and looks held off this mark at present.

Form: 3-26405

(5)

Amazour⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: I Mohammed| OR: 97| CD

4/1

Has had a couple of stiff tasks and 2lb ease in the weights and a return to this C&D are in his favour. However may find a couple better handicapped again.

Form: 10-1580

(1)

Shared Equity²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 96| D

8/1

Took advantage of a falling mark to make all in a competitive handicap at Epsom. 3lb rise shouldn't be an issue but got an easy lead there and now makes an AW debut with all his best form coming with cut in the ground.

Form: 70-2631

(8)

Dream Today²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 101| BF| D

7/2

Finished second in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes as a juvenile but was well beaten in the Listed Heron Stakes on reappearance and then disappointing he couldn't take advantage of an uncontested lead when beaten at odds-on last time. AW debut

Form: 1526-92

(7)

Withernsea⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 91| D

7/1

Has fallen to an attractive mark and should appreciate the drop back from a mile. However his best form has come in testing conditions and this is a belated debut on this type of surface.

Form: 700-087

(2)

Gallipoli¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 90| D

5/1

Only had three starts on the AW but finished a close second in a very good handicap off just 2lb higher in February. Not disgrace on latest start in an ultra competitive York handicap and should be a leading contender.

Form: 90-2367

(6)

Golden Steps⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Barry McHugh| T: J S Goldie| OR: 84| D

8/1

Has had five starts for current trainer and ran well enough on last three. He's on a really good mark at present and should be winning soon, however concern that he ran poorly on only previous visit here.

Form: 5-55364

(3)

Holiday Magic¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 83| D

14/1

Has struggled recently on turf and last win came back at the start of 2017. Tough ask from 2lb out of the handicap with best AW form coming on the fibresand.

Form: 209608

Forecasts

Dream Today (7/2), Amazour (4/1), Gallipoli (5/1), Withernsea (7/1), Shared Equity (8/1), Golden Steps (8/1), Salateen (12/1), Holiday Magic (14/1), Early Morning (16/1)

Shared Equity and Dream Today are likely to take each other on for the lead and may set it up for GALLIPOLI who should get a nice sit and be able to sprint late on. He has more to offer on the AW and comes from a hot race on the Knavesmire. A few are unproven here including Withernsea and Golden Steps, who are both on decent marks, while Salateen boasts some smart AW form and is one of the more likely challengers on this surface.