14:00 Newcastle
Wednesday 20 February 2019
All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:50
Betway Handicap
- 4YO plus | Class 4 | 1m 4f 98y | Standard / Slow | 10 Runners | Allweather | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 2m 42.84s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
High in the weights (5lb above his last winning mark); travelled like the winner until deep inside the final furlong when beaten a head and a nose by Claire Underwood over C&D 19-days ago; could prove sharper for that run.
Two-time course winner (1m2f); beaten at odds of 8/13f on his first attempt at this trip (penultimate start) but that form has been franked by the winner and second since; this galloping track suits better than Lingfield (short-headed last week).
Ultra-consistent filly; proved her stamina over C&D when edging out today's rival Desert Ruler 19-days ago; raised 2lb since but effectively better off at the weights with a 5lb claimer now taking the ride; should go close.
Reverts to the Flat (debut on the level for this trainer; ex-Mick Channon) after proving disappointing over hurdles; 0-7 on the AW and potentially too high in the handicap.
Sole win for Hugo Palmer came on debut at Kempton (1m) in October 2017; sold for 4,000gns in October 2018 and made no impression on the leaders (finished sixth of eight) on stable debut over this trip at Wolverhampton.
Boasts a 25% AW strike-rate (3-12); made all under a canny ride from Joe Fanning to see off Champagne Rules and today's rival Trautmann over C&D latest; 1lb higher in a more competitive race (Class 4).
Prolific on the AW (10-39) but well beaten on his sole Newcastle start - Class 6; fended off Ice Canyon by a neck (Champarisi fourth) when scoring at Wolverhampton (1m4f) last month; 3lb higher.
Twice a Chelmsford winner (1m2f) for Henry Spiller in the early part of 2018 but quiet in four starts (including over hurdles) for this trainer thus far; edging down the weights, albeit others hold far more obvious claims.
Dual C&D winner (Class 6); continues to run his usual solid race with each and every appearance; beaten just over 1L by today's rival Lopes Dancer latest but could find this stiffer level of competition too hot to handle.
Tapeta proven filly; 3lb higher than when beating Iftiraaq by just under 2L at Wolverhampton (1m4f) in December; very closely matched with both Star Ascending and Trautmaan based on recent form.
Forecasts
Elysees Palace (5/2), Claire Underwood (3/1), Desert Ruler (9/2), Lopes Dancer (8/1), Champarisi (8/1), Trautmann (14/1), Star Ascending (16/1), Iconic Belle (25/1), Tenedos (25/1), Captain Pugwash (50/1)
A competitive opener in which the winner will most likely come from the top end of the handicap. Claire Underwood is an ultra-consistent filly and she proved her stamina over this trip when beating the smooth travelling Desert Ruler over C&D 19-days ago. Although the Jedd O'Keeffe-trained runner could strip fitter for that start (his first for over four months), his task is made more difficult with Richard Fahey electing to utilise a 5lb claimer aboard his filly. However, the preferred option is ELYSEES PALACE. Some might be sceptical with regards his chance having been beaten at odds-on on both of last two starts, but a return to this galloping track promises to suit.
- Elysees Palace
- Claire Underwood
- Desert Ruler
Prize Money
1st: £4,883.002nd: £1,462.003rd: £731.004th: £366.005th: £182.00
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