20:00 Newcastle

Friday 3 May 2019

All17:5018:2518:5519:3020:0020:3021:00

Newcastle International Airport Handicap

Off time: 20:01 | Winning time: 1m 26.16s

(7)

What's The Story^p²¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: P Mulrennan| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 96| C| D

7/1

Course winner over 1m here last year off a 3lb lower mark he proved competitive in some tough/top-class handicaps after that (fourth in Royal Hunt Cup). Last seen when running badly in the Cambridgeshire (poorly drawn); down in trip, not out of this.

Form: 514600-

(5)

Hajjam¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94| D

11/1

Rewarded for his efforts in top-class handicaps last year with a win at Ayr (7f, heavy) in September (suited by strong pace). Caught the eye last time out at Newmarket (7f,good) when not getting the run of the race; mark still looks workable.

Form: 72017-5

(2)

Gallipoli^b¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Sean Davis⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 92| D

8/1

Best runs have all come in blinkers (worn for his last October win over 7f at Chelmsford). Has run well for the most part this season (one poor run without headgear); not seen to best effect last time (patiently ridden); 6lb above last winning mark.

Form: 61-7224

(4)

Hyperfocus¹⁹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 89| C

25/1

First run for his new yard having gone all last year without a win when with Hugo Palmer. Has won here over 6f but not the most reliable and hard to win with; stable he's joined not quite firing as yet; best watched for now.

Form: 002002-

(1)

Citron Major²¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: A Mullen| T: N Tinkler| OR: 89| C| D

25/1

Course winner who enjoyed a good 2018 winning three times the first coming here over 6f. Progressed from that win with two further victories the last over 7f; well up to this grade, just 1lb higher than last win; contender if ready to go.

Form: 051730-

(6)

Glorious Lover²⁷⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: G Mosse| T: E Walker| OR: 97

4/1

Listed placed as a juvenile having won his second start further franking the form of his debut race at Newbury (strong form). Now makes his AW/handicap debut looking open to further progress off a mark that doesn't look harsh.

Form: 312-

(3)

Dubai Legacy²⁹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: P Cosgrave| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 95| D

5/6

Found the Coventry Stakes (Group 2) too hot to handle on his second run (won on debut) before scoring again back in calmer waters at Epsom last July (hooded). First try over 7f making his AW/handicap debut; sure to have more to come this season.

Form: 101-

Forecasts

Dubai Legacy (5/6), Glorious Lover (4/1), What's The Story (7/1), Gallipoli (8/1), Hajjam (11/1), Hyperfocus (25/1), Citron Major (25/1)

A fascinating clash with two three-year-olds who both showed good form last year taking on their elders for the first time (both also make their AW/handicap debuts); the hood now comes off DUBAI LEGACY who could make real progress this year especially over 7f plus. Glorious Lover is the other Classic generation runner and he too looks as though he will hold his own in this sphere. Amongst the older brigade Gallipoli and Hyperfocus are closely matched from last year but the former is preferred of that duo and if he gets a strong pace the Hajjam will be a threat. What’s The Story may find it tough to concede weight all round but he does have a good record fresh.