16:40 Newcastle

Thursday 31 January 2019

All16:0516:4017:1517:5018:2519:0019:3020:00

Betway Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 16:42 | Winning time: 1m 11.7s

(8)

Murdanova¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Cameron Noble| T: I Furtado| OR: 77| D

13/2

Four of his five career successes on this surface albeit they all came at Wolverhampton. Won twice early last winter but only ran twice since and neither at that level. Latest midfield effort at Lingfield can be built on so not out of this.

Form: 0/4110-6

(1)

Amazing Grazing¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Rhiain Ingram| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 75| C| D

9/1

Won over 5f,6f and 7f and finished strongly into second here latest over 5f suggesting that this trip would suit at least as well. Handicap mark unchanged so a repeat performance sure to see him go close.

Form: 1002-52

(7)

Dirchill⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Jonathan Fisher⁽³⁾| T: D Thompson| OR: 74| D

4/1

Three-time turf winner for previous connections yet to score in seven for this yard. Back-to-back 7f thirds here suggested that may soon changed but below par here last time out. Drop to 6f no major issue but others more compelling.

Form: 8873-36

(3)

Lucky Lodge^b¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: Kieran Schofield⁽³⁾| T: A Brittain| OR: 69| CD

7/1

Had a profitable 2018 winning five times, the most recent of them over C&D. Beaten just a nose here two races back before slightly below par subsequently. Willing to forgive that run so still very much one for the shortlist here.

Form: 13192-6

(4)

Bobby Joe Leg^b⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Paula Muir| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 66| CD

4/1

C&D winner appreciated drop back to same latest when posting best effort for a while in 1¾L second here. Same mark today so no reason he can't again run well and notable that all three career wins over 6f.

Form: 0207-52

(2)

Gowanbuster^t⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Josh Quinn⁽³⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 66| CD

12/1

C&D novice winner in 2017 managed little of note since. C&D second two starts back saw him beaten 8L and since beaten 15L at Southwell. Relatively lightly raced but others more compelling.

Form: 388920-

(5)

Epeius^v1⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Sebastian Woods| T: B Haslam| OR: 65| BF| CD

9/2

2017 C&D winner twice ran well here in last three starts with a lesser effort between at Southwell. Nose behind Bobby Joe Leg latest when third and visor now fitted in attempt to eek out more. Respected.

Form: 68627-3

(6)

Mansfield³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Poppy Bridgwater| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 62| BF

9/1

Lone win in 25 came way back in 2015. Should win another race sooner rather than later however as shown by latest fourth and third placed efforts given he was only beaten ½L in each. Further 1lb back here and sure to go close.

Form: 776634-

Forecasts

Bobby Joe Leg (4/1), Dirchill (4/1), Epeius (9/2), Murdanova (13/2), Lucky Lodge (7/1), Amazing Grazing (9/1), Mansfield (9/1), Gowanbuster (12/1)

Despite his long losing run and poor overall record a chance us taken here on MANSFIELD who has been narrowly beaten over 6f and 5f at Wolverhampton on this surface the last twice and with further help from the handicapper he should again go very close. Amazing Grazing ran well latest over 5f here suggesting a return to 6f could be rewarded so he too enters the equation as does prolific 2018 scorer Lucky Lodge.