12:55 Newcastle

Saturday 15 December 2018

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:20

Betway Stayers Conditions Stakes

Off time: 12:58 | Winning time: 3m 32.1s

(6)

Alfredo^p,t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: F Norton| T: S Durack| OR: 95| D

8/1

Appears hard to beat on the AW (so far 5-5) with wins on three different tracks; yet to run here though. All his wins have been at around this trip and his last win was gained in very easy fashion; steps up in grade now off a career-high mark.

Form: 11/2401

(5)

Castlelyons^h²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Callum Shepherd| T: R Stephens| OR: 90

20/1

Twice an AW winner over 1m4f he looks as though he will be better given a stiffer test of stamina having stayed on very well last time (never nearer). Has work to do at the weights with some of these though and may be better in handicaps.

Form: 011-383

(9)

Cosmelli^v⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Josephine Gordon| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 93| CD

12/1

Produced his best form this year when winning over C&D (Northumberland Vase) in June but hasn't really backed that run up after a break in three turf runs. Better should be expected back on the AW, up in trip and with a visor replacing blinkers.

Form: 181660

(7)

Festival Of Ages¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 94

13/8

Very lightly-raced four-year-old who has won his last two races and his only start this year after a 16 month absence (first run on AW). Not the easiest to train but should come on for his last run; progress likely but up 6f in trip.

Form: 21-1

(3)

Golden Wolf¹⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: D C Costello| T: I Jardine| OR: 91

40/1

Given a chance to show what he could do over 2m last time and ran well despite looking as though his stamina only just held out. Went well through the race and worth another try at the trip switching to the AW for a new yard.

Form: 2-22294

(4)

Higher Power²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: George Wood| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 106| CD

3/1

Took the Northumberland Plate over C&D (2017) but hasn't won since then and has had some wind surgery. Tried in better company on the back of his win he's been back in handicaps the last three times; looked back to near his best last time at Kempton.

Form: 7-82002

(8)

Stargazer²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: R Winston| T: P A Kirby| OR: 97

9/1

Has always run well here (222) and bounced back to form last time over 1m4f here; also finished 2nd over C&D. The fact remains though that he has only won one race in his career and this will prove a stiffer test than the handicaps he's been in.

Form: D77002

(1)

Watersmeet²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 105| D

9/2

Loves to go from the front and can be dangerous if given an easy lead as he was when returning to winning ways last time at Kempton (2m, slow). In Flat terms he's getting on a bit now but can still perform at this level and has to be respected.

Form: 940041

Non-Runners

(2)

Reshoun¹⁰

Weight: 9-3| Age: 4

T: Ian Williams J: R Havlin

Forecasts

Festival Of Ages (13/8), Higher Power (3/1), Watersmeet (9/2), Alfredo (8/1), Stargazer (9/1), Reshoun (10/1), Cosmelli (12/1), Castlelyons (20/1), Golden Wolf (40/1)

Without doubt the best race on the card with Watersmeet and Higher Power both of whom have good C&D form resuming hostilities from Kempton last time when the former beat the latter by 1L and could well maintain his advantage here. Alfredo is certainly improving and has found his niche on the AW with Stargazer a similar type although both have something to prove in this grade. FESTIVAL OF AGES also has to prove himself up to this sort of task but his form of his few races looks sound and despite the big increase in trip he’s taken to carry on with his upward curve. Cosmelli is another who is likely to benefit from a return to this C&D having put up one of his best performances here.