18:00 Newcastle

Thursday 11 April 2019

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

Play 4 To Score At Betway Handicap

Off time: 18:07 | Winning time: 2m 10.23s

(3)

Zabeel Star¹⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 85| C| D

10/1

Not the most reliable of sorts and his last win on the Flat came nearly a year ago on turf (has won over hurdles since). Ran a typical race last time he was seen (slow away, raced in snatches); one to watch rather than back off an absence.

Form: 234055-

(9)

Addis Ababa²¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 83

9/4

Lightly-raced sort who won on his debut (1m, Ayr) last year but never really went on from that winning start; failed to convince when trying 1m2f when last seen. This will be his AW debut; may make a better four-year-old, watching brief for now.

Form: 12238-

(7)

Double Reflection²⁰³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 83| BF| D

18/1

Way below par when last seen (testing ground may have been to blame) having won two handicaps last year when generally consistent (also showed good attitude). Finished last of seven on her one previous try here over 1m.

Form: 312217-

(4)

Illustrissime^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Hart| T: I Furtado| OR: 82

8/1

Dropped to a more suitable trip extended 1m1f when returning to winning form at Wolverhampton (pulled well clear off a steady gallop). Up in grade and down in trip when last seen (found that all too tough); this is more suitable.

Form: 23-2516

(5)

Grandee¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Ben Sanderson⁽⁵⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 81

9/4

Not won since trained in Ireland (successful at Listed level) but showed some useful form in handicaps for David O'Meara last year. Well handicapped now on his old form; looks ready to strike based on his first run for this yard on turf over 1m2f.

Form: 77766-4

(8)

Employer¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 81

3/1

Inconsistent sort with Hugo Palmer (only won once)but his first run for this yard looked as though it could hold some promise (Grandee fourth). Didn't get the best of runs (nearest at finish), one to note but has to prove his consistency first.

Form: 36369-2

(1)

Apterix⁷⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: Ben Robinson⁽³⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 78

50/1

Not seen on the Flat since 2016 (only had one Flat run that year); previously fairly useful handicapper. Has been very inconsistent over hurdles of late (well below form last time); hard to make a case for him here even on his old form.

Form: 131000/

(6)

Starplex⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 8-8| J: A Mullen| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 72

150/1

Poor on last Flat run over 1m4f here (first-time tongue-tie) he also continues to be one who offers little over hurdles; hard to make much of a case for him here.

Form: 14450-0

Non-Runners

(2)

Irish Minister²⁰

Weight: 8-7| Age: 4

T: D Thompson J: Andrew Breslin

Forecasts

Grandee (9/4), Addis Ababa (9/4), Employer (3/1), Illustrissime (8/1), Zabeel Star (10/1), Double Reflection (18/1), Apterix (50/1), Irish Minister (50/1), Starplex (150/1)

This contest contains some stable switchers who could well be rejuvenated by their current yards with the duo who finished second and fourth last time at Doncaster – Employer and GRANDEE the two to focus on. The latter may well be able to reverse the form here given he was the only one of the first four home ridden up with the pace although it’s not hard to see both of these getting back to winning form soon. Addis Ababa could be the sort to blossom this year but has to prove himself at this trip while Double Reflection can’t be left out of calculations despite her previous disappointment here.