18:00 Newcastle

Friday 22 March 2019

All17:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:00

sunracing.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 18:02 | Winning time: 1m 42.77s

(6)

International Law¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 69| CD

9/4

Previous C&D winner took advantage of falling mark and again showed aptitude for this surface when winning over 1m½f at Wolverhampton latest. Upped just 2lb so still below C&D mark and therefore looks a leading player.

Form: 69098-1

(9)

Cashel²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 69| BF| D

7/2

Chelmsford and Kempton winner made favourite in bid for a hattrick latest but reared leaving the stalls and couldn't quite recover. Presuming that to be a one off so can resume progress with another bold bid now.

Form: 05-2118

(12)

Gabrials Centurion⁸³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 69| D

7/1

Took advantage of a slipping mark to beat Al Reef in a competitive Southwell handicap in January. Better than bare margin of that win, and 4lb rise looks very fair on balance so can't easily be ruled out here.

Form: 473351-

(10)

Zeshov^p¹⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: D Allan| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 68| D

25/1

Seven-time turf winner yet to make the frame on the AW. Midfield effort at Kempton when last seen was a fair run but with a break since others are more persuasive.

Form: 143135-

(5)

Porrima³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: A Mullen| T: B Haslam| OR: 67| C

15/2

Won back-to-back races here over 7f before running on for second latest over same despite fly jumping the start. Looks like she will get 1m no problem and in current form can't be underestimated; leading claims.

Form: 760-112

(4)

Edgar Allan Poe¹⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 67| D

20/1

1m1f winner in September but only ever ran once on AW and handicapper looks to just about his measure. First race since October and maybe gearing up for a turf campaign.

Form: 241236-

(2)

Tommy Hallinan^t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Barry McHugh| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 67

50/1

Winner in Ireland in 2017 made little impression over hurdles for Paul Nicholls and has been last in both runs for this yard. Very risky proposition now.

Form: 3231/68

(11)

Golden Guest¹¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: D Tudhope| T: J L Eyre| OR: 67| D

20/1

Off since November flop here but last success came from this mark on turf last year. Break needs to have sparked significant revival.

Form: 472780-

(13)

Elixsoft³²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 65| C

5/1

Three good runs here after lengthy absence with a fourth, third and latest C&D second. Handicapper raises the stakes but clearly in good order right now so has to be on the shortlist.

Form: 255-432

(7)

Seaborough²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: C Lee| T: D Thompson| OR: 65| D

50/1

Bought for £6,000 from Alan King in January; has experience over hurdles, on the Flat (turf) and on Tapeta/Polytrack (0-5), so could find a suitable winning opportunity in due course; not tonight.

Form: 7416-57

(1)

Tarnhelm²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Nathan Evans| T: W Storey| OR: 64

66/1

Mark Johnston was struggling to unlock any potential in this filly and she was towards the rear throughout when seventh of nine on stable debut last month. Others more compelling.

Form: 447U4/7

(8)

Street Poet^p³²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: J P Sullivan| T: M Herrington| OR: 62

33/1

Both of his wins have come at Dunstall Park Wolverhampton (over the extended mile); theoretically should be competitive from this kind of mark, although recent evidence tempers enthusiasm.

Form: 1804-50

(3)

Insurplus¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: Phil Dennis| T: J S Goldie| OR: 62| CD

14/1

C&D win latest his second here and although raised 5lb for the win he remains 1lb below the earlier win here. Overall strike rate not great but no reason he can't be in the shake-up once more.

Form: 250-561

Non-Runners

(14)

Elhafei²⁷³

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: J & T Gosden J: K T O'Neill

Forecasts

International Law (9/4), Cashel (7/2), Elhafei (4/1), Elixsoft (5/1), Gabrials Centurion (7/1), Porrima (15/2), Insurplus (14/1), Golden Guest (20/1), Edgar Allan Poe (20/1), Zeshov (25/1), Street Poet (33/1), Seaborough (50/1), Tommy Hallinan (50/1), Tarnhelm (66/1)

Both PORRIMA and Cashel fluffed the start in their respective hat-trick bids latest but they must both be seriously considered here with the presumption that there will be no repeats. The former still finished second so is marginally more persuasive. International Law clearly likes the Tapeta and hasn't been harshly treated for his Wolverhampton win latest.