17:30 Newcastle

Monday 24 September 2018

All17:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:3021:00

Granny Elizabeth Handicap

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 2m 42.53s

(4)

Zabeel Star²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: L Morris| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 86| C| D

20/1

Remains on a high mark since last win at Hamilton in May and although he is invariably slowly away, he completely blew his chances at the start back at the same track on last run. Others preferred.

Form: 012340

(5)

Atkinson Grimshaw^t¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 83| D

10/1

Won twice last year and while he's yet to get his head in front in five starts for his new connections, he's run well in defeat on several occasions, including when fourth at Thirsk last time. Should be competitive again.

Form: 020385

(3)

Desert Ruler²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 81| CD

9/1

Second of two wins here in January was gained over C&D, and not disgraced back here on penultimate outing. May have needed the run after a break at Hamilton last time, but still proved disappointing, so must bounce back.

Form: 112740

(2)

King's Proctor⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 85

8/1

Third in the Dee Stakes at Chester in May, and ran well when ½L third of 5 to Oasis Fantasy at Lingfield last time, having disappointed twice prior to that. Looks on the way back, and expected to play a significant role.

Form: 753053

(9)

Formula One²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: B A Curtis| T: H Palmer| OR: 82| D

3/1

Ran well on debut here before winning over this trip at Ffos Las, and had to race wide when fifth of 10 to Midi in novice over 1¼m here last time. Fairly treated for handicap debut, and one to consider.

Form: 215

(1)

Lopes Dancer²³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: T Eaves| T: H Bethell| OR: 73| CD

100/1

Won this race a year ago, but has struggled badly on two starts at Wolverhampton this year having left Sally Haynes. Hopes hinge on return to favoured venue, but hard to fancy.

Form: 8219-07

(8)

Ad Libitum^p²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: T Hamilton| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 79| D

66/1

Largely consistent granted a sound surface, and gained a second career win at Ripon in July off 2lb lower. Not disgraced at Catterick on Saturday, but needs to step up on that now.

Form: 525205

(6)

Grecian Spirit¹⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: A Mullen| T: J Tate| OR: 75WS

3/1

Improving with each start and only narrowly beaten in a Wolverhampton maiden on reappearance. Looked in need of a stiffer test on handicap debut at Newmarket (1¼m), and has since had a breathing operation, so should do better again.

Form: 33-24

(7)

Cross My Mind³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 74| BF| CD

3/1

Won over 1m3½f at Windsor in July, and further improvement when taking a C&D handicap on penultimate start. Good third at former track last time, and she has leading claims with a truly run race likely to see her to better effect.

Form: 421713

Forecasts

Cross My Mind (3/1), Grecian Spirit (3/1), Formula One (3/1), King's Proctor (8/1), Desert Ruler (9/1), Atkinson Grimshaw (10/1), Zabeel Star (20/1), Ad Libitum (66/1), Lopes Dancer (100/1)

The unexposed 3-y-o runners are expected to have the edge, with CROSS MY MIND preferred having won over C&D on her penultimate start, and she found things developing too quickly at Windsor last time. Formula One was a bit below his best here last time, but saw plenty of daylight, and remains capable of better at this trip, while Grecian Spirit is proven on the surface and promised to be suited by the trip, so is shortlisted after a wind operation.