17:15 Newcastle

Friday 25 January 2019

All16:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:45

Play 4 To Score At Betway Handicap

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 1m 13.97s

(4)

Equiano Springs²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: A Mullen| T: T P Tate| OR: 80| C

10/3

Clearly enjoys it here with a three from six record. All of those wins over 7f including penultimate start but showed this trip just as suitable when second latest beaten just a neck. Up 2lb so only gets tougher but bold bid seems assured.

Form: 83661-2

(7)

Athollblair Boy¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Faye McManoman⁽⁷⁾| T: N Tinkler| OR: 80| CD

4/1

Four-time course winner battled to success over C&D latest winning by a short head. Neck behind Equiano Springs time before but now 3lb worse off with that rival so suggest placings likely remain.

Form: 6060-31

(3)

Tommy G²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: J Fanning| T: J S Goldie| OR: 79| D

5/1

Won twice on turf this season but remains an AW maiden. Latest seventh saw top two finish second and third respectively over C&D so that pair obviously make more appeal.

Form: 60374-7

(9)

Russian Realm⁸⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 79| D

9/1

Yet to win on AW but showed himself entirely capable when second over C&D in October. Close fourth next at Catterick back on turf and again should be in the shake up here off the same mark.

Form: 066024-

(6)

Tricky Dicky³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: Olly Williams| OR: 78| D

25/1

Two AW wins both come on fibresand at Southwell but three runs there lately seen him never better than seventh. Not in great form so more compelling claims elsewhere.

Form: 206870-

(2)

Black Salt¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: R Winston| T: T D Barron| OR: 78| BF| D

9/1

Made the frame in last four starts and won two of them. both at Southwell. Didn't perform here in previous outings but not in anything like the form he is now at the time so willing to give him another go here.

Form: 57131-3

(8)

Treacherous⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Callum Shepherd| T: E De Giles| OR: 75| D

7/2

Kempton course specialist (won three and run 11 of his 15 races there). Remained in good form there of late with three more placed efforts so arrives in fine form and merits serious respect on first start on Tapeta.

Form: 34423-3

(5)

Deeds Not Words¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: Barry McHugh| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 71| D

25/1

Well placed by previous yard to win six times in 2018 including last three at Lingfield and claimed out of the most recent. First start here and for this yard but only 2lb higher than last handicap win so can't be ignored.

Form: 5931-11

Non-Runners

(1)

Choice Encounter²

Weight: 9-10| Age: 4

T: A Watson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Equiano Springs (10/3), Treacherous (7/2), Choice Encounter (7/2), Athollblair Boy (4/1), Tommy G (5/1), Russian Realm (9/1), Black Salt (9/1), Tricky Dicky (25/1), Deeds Not Words (25/1)

Several of these have good course records and none more so than EQUIANO SPRINGS who almost gained a fourth career success here latest when narrowly ahead of chief rival Athollblair Boy who has been out and won since. There are several others with realistic claims including Treacherous who has been in great form at Kempton lately without quite getting his head in front.