18:55 Newcastle

Thursday 17 January 2019

All15:5516:2516:5517:2517:5518:2518:5519:25

Betway Sprint Handicap

Off time: 18:57 | Winning time: 59.21s

(3)

Red Pike¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Harry Russell⁽⁷⁾| T: B Smart| OR: 77

5/1

Five time 6f turf winner showed capabilities for this trip and AW surface latest when a running on 1L second at Chelmsford over 5f. Same mark here under same useful 7lb claimer and should again go close if things drop correctly.

Form: 55937-2

(2)

Gnaad²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Joey Haynes| T: A Bailey| OR: 76| D

7/1

Dual Fibresand winner won on turf at Sandown in the summer over this trip and remained competitive since. Bit more needed than last two sixths overall suggesting handicapper has his measure.

Form: 531366-

(11)

Landing Night^p,t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: P J McDonald| T: R Menzies| OR: 76| CD

12/1

C&D winner in 2017 lost his way this summer after a July success on turf but arrives back on this well liked surface just 1lb higher than last win now so improved effort well possible.

Form: 54576-6

(5)

Amazing Grazing¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Ben Robinson⁽³⁾| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 75| C| D

12/1

Won his maiden here over 7f and ran best race for a while at Southwell two starts back finishing second at 20/1. Only fifth next there in a smaller field so although not ruled out others are more appealing.

Form: 31002-5

(8)

Wiff Waff⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: S C Williams| OR: 74| CD

6/1

Dual C&D winner last January run solid races here last twice with a second in November followed by a running on close fifth after a slow start. Gets 1lb back and looks highly likely to make a bold bid.

Form: 41392-5

(1)

Gift In Time⁶³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: C J McGovern⁽³⁾| T: Paul Collins| OR: 74| D

20/1

Entitled to need first run in 239 days latest when 13th of 14 at seemingly favoured course Southwell. First start here and others offer more compelling cases.

Form: 4/13430-

(4)

Lord Of The Glen^b⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: J Fanning| T: J S Goldie| OR: 72| CD

14/1

Three-time AW scorer finished behind several rivals over C&D latest and only midfield before that. Looks held by several rivals.

Form: 79835-8

(7)

Another Angel⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 69| BF| CD

7/1

In excellent form this winter winning three times. Second here two starts back before latest sixth here where a behind a couple of these under front-running tactics. Handicapper may now have his measure but remains in good form.

Form: 42212-6

(9)

Gamesome⁹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: D C Costello| T: P T Midgley| OR: 69

8/1

Won just one of 43 career starts and that back in 2013. Last four races all sound efforts including latest fourth here but record means he can only be considered for place purposes.

Form: 373344-

(6)

First Excel^b⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: E J Walsh| T: S R Bowring| OR: 67| C

4/1

Currently suffering from seconditis after four straight silver medals. Beaten only ½L here last time out when ahead of several rivals and despite 1lb rise he is weighted to maintain superiority over all of them so claims crystal clear.

Form: 0322-22

(10)

Warrior's Valley^t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 62| D

10/1

Dual winner in March held since but ran solid enough races the last twice on Fibresand. Handicapper easing him back to competitiveness but others appeal more.

Form: 38359-4

Forecasts

First Excel (4/1), Red Pike (5/1), Wiff Waff (6/1), Another Angel (7/1), Gnaad (7/1), Gamesome (8/1), Warrior's Valley (10/1), Amazing Grazing (12/1), Landing Night (12/1), Lord Of The Glen (14/1), Gift In Time (20/1)

FIRST EXCEL has been knocking at the door with four straight seconds including over C&D latest where he had several rivals behind and some of those would otherwise be leading contenders so his form is the most compelling. Wiff Waff is 2lb better off with the selection having been fifth to him latest and he should close the gap granted a better start. Red Pike ran on well for second at Chelmsford latest and is another worth considering.