16:00 Newcastle

Friday 7 September 2018

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:40

Fastflow Pipeline Services Ltd 'Blaydon Races' Nursery

Off time: 16:03 | Winning time: 1m 40.47s

(9)

Royal Big Night²⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Oliver Stammers⁽⁷⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 82

10/1

Unable to follow up his Epsom win (7f) when beaten 4L by the thoroughly progressive Greeley at Windsor (1m, good) last month; has a dirt pedigree, so no worries about Tapeta; useful 7lb claimer booked to help ease weight; stablemate of Massam.

Form: 44212

(1)

Hackle Setter²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-6| J: L Morris| T: S Kirk| OR: 81

14/1

€30,000 yearling with a pedigree suitable for AW racing; off the mark at the third attempt at Chepstow last month (7f, good to soft) beating a 76-rated stablemate of Royal Big Night and Massam; should stay 1m on handicap debut.

Form: 431

(7)

Amber Spark²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: R A Fahey| OR: 78| C

5/1

Course winner (7f) in July beating the Mark Johnston-trained Kilbarchen by almost 3L; 7lb higher now and beaten 3L (fourth) off this mark on turf at Newmarket since; first attempt at 1m.

Form: 66214

(2)

Khanmurjan³⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: J Mitchell| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 76| BF

15/2

Beaten a short-head by the now 92-rated Wee Jim at Ayr in July (7f+ good), but disappointing on handicap debut at Beverley (good to soft); back from a short break for AW bow (by Scat Daddy) and could fare better.

Form: 5527

(4)

Mrs Hoo¹⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 76| D

8/1

A shade unfortunate not to remain unbeaten over 1m (caught close home at Ripon latest); on an upward curve, but switches to the AW in a more competitive contest and others might be slightly better suited to this surface; respected.

Form: 7312

(8)

Massam²⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 76

4/1

Stablemate of Royal Big Night; 350,000gns yearling; dam was a 5-6f winner (incl; 2yo AW Group 3); yet to be tested in a nursery (or over 1m), but hasn't quite got home after leading in a trio of 7f novice contests.

Form: 432

(6)

Whiskey And Water²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 8-12| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽³⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 73| BF

7/2

19,000gns yearling; made steady progress in three starts (7f-1m), including when runner-up at Ripon last month (beaten 3¾L), but more to find on handicap debut in order to be competitive.

Form: 542

(3)

One To Go²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 8-12| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 73| BF

8/1

His dam Tina's Spirit was a 1m AW winning juvenile, but he's found one too good on his last couple of starts at Nottingham and Chelmsford, and might well find a few more stronger in this Class 2 contest today.

Form: 65422

(5)

Love Your Work^p¹⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: J Quinn| T: A West| OR: 72

16/1

15,000gns yearling; hasn't really threatened to break his duck in four starts to date (all over 7f), but safe to say that he's improved with experience; down 2lb for just his second start in a handicap (first run at 1m), but this looks tough.

Form: 3535

Forecasts

Whiskey And Water (7/2), Massam (4/1), Amber Spark (5/1), Khanmurjan (15/2), Mrs Hoo (8/1), One To Go (8/1), Royal Big Night (10/1), Hackle Setter (14/1), Love Your Work (16/1)

The Blaydon Race isn't anywhere near as competitive numerically as it once was on turf. Mark Johnston is doubly represented by Royal Big Night and Massam with the former preferred under Oliver Stammers handy 7lb claim. Interestingly, Johnston has a fairly decent line with regards a number of those in direct competition today. Mrs Hoo has improved since upped to 1m, but switches to the AW in a stronger race, therefore, the selection is KHANMURJAN. He disappointed on handicap debut at Beverley (ground excuses), but is an ideal sort for Tapeta and his rider Ben Curtis has ridden more winners at Newcastle (15) than anyone else so far in 2018.