17:15 Newcastle

Friday 15 February 2019

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

sunracing.co.uk Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 1m 27.10s

(1)

Gun Case^v²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Andrew Breslin| T: A C Whillans| OR: 62| CD

12/1

Scored over C&D last August and finds himself 1lb lower following some ordinary displays. Certainly has the ability to figure if returning to form.

Form: 47934-7

(5)

Scenery²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Megan Nicholls| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 59

13/2

Last three runs have been at this venue and the latest of them saw him finish a creditable second of 14 over this distance. Maiden after 14 starts, but that recent effort gives him a chance despite 1lb higher mark.

Form: 3703-92

(7)

Thunder Buddy³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jonathan Fisher| T: K R Burke| OR: 59| BF| D

8/1

Scored at the sixth time of asking over this trip at Southwell last month, and seemed to run out of stamina upped to 1m off 5lb higher in his bid to follow up. Down 1lb and back to a more suitable trip, but is unproven on this surface.

Form: 0583-14

(6)

Roaring Rory¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Ben Sanderson| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 59| BF| C

12/1

Winner over 6f at this venue in November and has run with credit in two subsequent starts over the same C&D. Tries a longer trip off his last winning mark and should be thereabouts if his stamina holds out.

Form: 2541-74

(2)

Lion Hearted¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Mark Crehan⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 58| CD

13/8

Irish import who has won both his races over this trip for current trainer, including at this venue. Has been hit with a 13b rise, but remains unexposed and has to be taken seriously.

Form: 0009-11

(3)

Thorntoun Lady¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: Corey Madden⁽⁵⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 54

10/1

Solid effort to finish third of nine over 6f at this venue on latest outing, but has never won over this longer distance. Holds few secrets from the handicapper and looks vulnerable.

Form: 567-553

(8)

Black Hambleton⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Harry Russell⁽³⁾| T: B Smart| OR: 52| CD

12/1

Only one win in 17 races, but latest AW efforts have been respectable. Needs to build on last month's fourth of 11 at Chelmsford.

Form: 05264-4

(9)

I Am Dandy^t³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Russell Harris⁽³⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 52| CD

8/1

Scored narrowly over C&D in December and ran creditably to finish a close fourth off 1lb higher over 1m at this venue last time. Return to 7f looks a plus.

Form: 20231-4

(11)

Great Colaci²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Oliver Stammers⁽³⁾| T: G Boanas| OR: 52| BF| CD

16/1

Returning from a break when well held over C&D last month. Earlier placed efforts put him in the mix off a fair mark.

Form: 36233-0

(10)

Makofitwhatyouwill¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Paula Muir| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 45

25/1

Still looking for his first win after 19 attempts and was well behind Lion Hearted over C&D last month. Readily opposed.

Form: 5279-65

(4)

Nutopia¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Kieran Schofield| T: A Brittain| OR: 45| BF

14/1

No wins in 11 starts, but has run well to be placed a couple of times over this C&D off higher marks. Recent runs have been over 6f, so she looks interesting back to this longer trip.

Form: 4247-66

Forecasts

Lion Hearted (13/8), Scenery (13/2), Thunder Buddy (8/1), I Am Dandy (8/1), Thorntoun Lady (10/1), Roaring Rory (12/1), Black Hambleton (12/1), Gun Case (12/1), Nutopia (14/1), Great Colaci (16/1), Makofitwhatyouwill (25/1)

Nutopia has been struggling over shorter trips, but the return to 7f will suit and she is nicely treated. She is respected along with Scenery, Thunder Buddy, Roaring Rory, I Am Dandy and Great Colaci, but the one to beat is LION HEARTED, who has been a revelation since joining his current trainer and may well be able to cope with his rise in the weights.