15:15 Newcastle

Saturday 30 June 2018

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:25

Datum Group Claiming Stakes

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 1m 27.43s

(1)

Saryshagann¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 87| D

12/1

Three-time winner in France (5.5f-7.5f), but just once since his juvenile days; bought for €48,000 in July 2016, making a minimal impact in two starts for this trainer so far (Class 3).

Form: 3168/50

(3)

Stamp Hill^b⁷⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 94| D

9/2

Saw off 26 other rivals when winning the 7f Class 2 International Stakes at Ascot in July 2017 (50/1), but predictably has found life tougher since from his elevated mark; major chance at this level on AW debut if his trainer has him back on song.

Form: 8017-00

(2)

War Department^v¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽³⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 77| CD

16/1

Highly effective at this track (three-time C&D winner), but equally isn't the easiest of rides; stiff test at these weights based on official figures.

Form: 760609

(6)

Florencio^p²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 75| BF| D

2/1

Solid AW performer (5 from 24) whose last two wins have come on Fibresand at Southwell (7f); yet to win at this track but ran well at the Plate Festival in 2017 (Class 4 runner up to War Department) and competes in decent form.

Form: 633612

(4)

Suzi's Connoisseur^t,v¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: P J McDonald| T: S C Williams| OR: 79| CD

10/3

His last win came over C&D in February 2017 when taking a competitive Class 2 handicap (rated 95); not in the same kind of form so far in 2018, but on his peak level of form, he'd be a major player in this grade.

Form: 883645

(5)

Aprovado^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Ben Robinson⁽³⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 68| C

28/1

Out of form for a considerable period of time, and no improvement for wind surgery and the switch to Brian Ellison; dual course winner in 2016/17 (5f-6f), but win-less over 7f and can't be considered at these weights.

Form: 96-0090

(7)

Zalshah^p¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Rossa Ryan⁽³⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 82| D

5/1

Won just once in 18 starts (7f Chelmsford) and that probably explains the drop into a claimer; positive effort on his penultimate start at Sandown (1m, good) which gives him a squeak.

Form: 13-3056

(8)

Line House³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Rhona Pindar⁽⁷⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 76| CD

25/1

C&D novice stakes winner (October 2017), but posted a tame effort at Nottingham last month (1m+, good) and others hold far more obvious claims.

Form: 61D827

Forecasts

Florencio (2/1), Suzi's Connoisseur (10/3), Stamp Hill (9/2), Zalshah (5/1), Saryshagann (12/1), War Department (16/1), Line House (25/1), Aprovado (28/1)

A fairly valuable claimer, but a claimer nevertheless with the vast majority of the declared runners arriving well below their peak level of form. Florencio is perhaps the exception, so this solid AW performer (albeit yet to score at Newcastle) commands respect. However, both Suzi's Connoisseur and STAMP HILL are essentially better than claiming races (past Class 2 Handicap winners). The former should relish the return to Tapeta but isn't guaranteed an end-to-end gallop (potential negative), so the selection is the Richard Fahey-trained runner who bids for victory on AW debut.