16:10 Newcastle
Tuesday 22 January 2019
All16:1016:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:45
Betway Live Casino Handicap
- 4YO plus | Class 2 | 2m 56y | Standard | 8 Runners | Allweather | Weighed In
- Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 3m 31.89s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Rock-solid at this track (2,1d,2,1) and posted a career best when winning a C&D Fast-Track Qualifier Conditions Stakes (2m) in December - the runner-up has run well at Wolverhampton since; handicap mark has risen by 3lb; key player.
All out winner of the Northumberland Vase (the Northumberland Plate Consolation Race) over C&D in June so fully capable on his day; remains 4lb higher in the weights and finished only sixth (beaten in excess of 5L) behind Stargazer here last month.
Made all when thrashing the useful hurdler Bedrock by 10L at Chelmsford (2m) in May but things haven't gone to plan from a vastly inflated handicap mark since; a visor is now applied.
Without a win since scoring in a Class 2 handicap at York (1m2f) in August 2017, and despite running some fair races since (including in the 2017 November Handicap) is slipping in the weights; very little racing experience over 2m; 0-16 on the AW.
Proved himself to be a consistent performer on turf last summer (cost £12,000), climbing the weights steadily since scoring at Yarmouth (1m1f) in August; his AW experience is limited to Fibresand at Southwell (1-6); untested over 2m.
Fair hurdler for Paul Nicholls (130-rated); stayed on for pressure from a wide position to finish 3½L third to Amade (Eddystone Rock fourth) over 2m at Kempton 17-days ago; more needed on third start for Ian Williams.
Game winner over hurdles at Stratford (2m, good) for Dan Skelton in July 2018 but sold a couple of months later for £10,000; has raced only once on the Flat since October 2015 - when well beaten on his sole AW start (Wolverhampton).
Rattling through the grades, improving his course record since October 2018 to 1,2,1,1 when getting the better of fellow Newcastle regular Ajman Prince over C&D a fortnight ago; 2lb higher in the weights; improving quickly and stays well; respected.
Forecasts
Stargazer (6/5), Zubayr (11/2), Busy Street (6/1), Loud And Clear (6/1), Cosmelli (11/1), Eddystone Rock (14/1), Addicted To You (14/1), Red Tornado (50/1)
A very competitive opener with a plethora of C&D proven performers declared. STARGAZER gained some form of recompense for his controversial Good Friday disqualification when outstaying a fair Godolphin yardstick (Festival Of Ages) in a C&D Fast-Track Qualifier in December. That was a career best effort so far, but with the Kirby string remaining in fine fettle he's more than capable of going in again off top-weight. Many of the others have no shortage of recommendable assets, notably the fast improving Loud And Clear. Although yet to clearly demonstrate that he can compete at this level, he has thrived at this track since October and rates as a rock-solid stayer.
- Stargazer
- Loud And Clear
- Cosmelli
Prize Money
1st: £15,752.002nd: £4,715.003rd: £2,358.004th: £1,180.005th: £588.00
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