20:30 Newcastle

Friday 29 March 2019

All17:5518:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Betway Live Casino Handicap

Off time: 20:30 | Winning time: 59.73s

(8)

Canford Bay³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: C Lee| T: A Brittain| OR: 72| CD

5/4

2017 C&D winner ran well here two starts back when second. Less effective but not disgraced latest in warmer contest at Wolverhampton. Capable of making presence felt off this mark.

Form: 1580-27

(3)

Jan Van Hoof²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Barry McHugh| T: M Herrington| OR: 70| CD

5/1

Ended a three and a half year losing run here when narrowly scoring over C&D. 2lb higher latest he followed that with a close third and off the same mark today he certainly appeals as a likely sort.

Form: 00-4813

(6)

Orient Class²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 68| D

22/1

Difficult to consider on the strength of his form during 2018, but becoming dangerously handicapped and has previous at this track (narrowly beaten off a 5lb higher mark in March 2017). Two efforts this year however limit appeal.

Form: 5080-09

(9)

Gowanbuster^t³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: P Mulrennan| T: S Corbett| OR: 66| C

7/2

Long while since his lone win but looks likely to change that soon. Fourth to Jan Van Hoof two starts back followed by 1L second here latest over 6f. Handicap remains unchanged so 2lb better off now with aforementioned

Form: 920-343

(2)

Rantan¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: K Stott| T: P T Midgley| OR: 63

14/1

Dual turf winner (0-4 AW) returned from 164 day break latest when midfield at Southwell. Should strip fitter now so not totally ruled out but prefer him over 6f.

Form: 63056-7

(1)

Danehill Desert^p¹⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 62| D

20/1

On a lengthy losing run and although his best recent effort has come on Tapeta, he signed off 2018 with a last of 12 here. Hopefully refreshed by a break but risky proposition for sure.

Form: 720290-

(5)

Haader^t³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: P Mathers| T: D Shaw| OR: 62

25/1

Lightly-raced sort who was last of 10 and never any factor on handicap debut most recently at Wolverhampton. Couldn't have any faith after that.

Form: 5/9-6630

(7)

Jeffrey Harris^h1¹⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Phil Dennis| T: J S Goldie| OR: 61| D

33/1

In good heart at Musselburgh in September including a win at this trip. Not quite so good in three runs here in the autumn however and returns with plenty to prove in the first-time hood.

Form: 210009-

(4)

Loulin²⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 56

8/1

Eight-race maiden showed glimpses of ability on turf last summer with a couple of placed runs along the way. First AW start comes after eight months of but off career low mark he could spring a surprise if acting on the surface and fully fit.

Form: 6/25438-

Forecasts

Canford Bay (5/4), Gowanbuster (7/2), Jan Van Hoof (5/1), Loulin (8/1), Rantan (14/1), Danehill Desert (20/1), Orient Class (22/1), Haader (25/1), Jeffrey Harris (33/1)

In what is frankly a pretty weak contest the vote goes to JAN VAN HOOF. He doesn't exactly scream of a well handicapped horse but his win two starts back and subsequent third represent the best form on offer. Gowanbuster is 2lb better off with the selection who he chased home two starts back. After another good effort latest he too looks a leading candidate. Canford Bay looks well enough handicapped to at least get involved at this level and he is another worthy of consideration.