19:20 Newcastle

Tuesday 4 June 2019

All17:5018:2018:5019:2019:5020:20

Megan O'Brien 30th Birthday Handicap

Off time: 19:20 | Winning time: 1m 38.1s

(12)

Lush Life¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J P Spencer| T: J A Osborne| OR: 94| D

5/2

Trainer and jockey both operating at a 20% strike-rate within the last two weeks. Came good under a typical Jamie Spencer ride to claim the Whitsun Cup at Sandown recently when value for more than the winning margin and is the one they have to beat.

Form: 1418-31

(8)

Bedouin's Story⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: K Stott| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 93

11/2

Signed off last season with a decisive victory at Newbury (7f; good to soft). Not able to land a blow over at Meydan throughout the winter. Wasn't disgraced at Newmarket on domestic return and this represents a drop in grade.

Form: 1-34566

(7)

Ibraz³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Dane O'Neill| T: R Varian| OR: 91| D

5/2

Hasn't been able to get competitive in two strong Class 2 handicaps this season. Has major claims of getting back on track dropped back into this grade on what is just his eighth start. Trainer/jockey combo in splendid form at present too.

Form: 3117-06

(9)

Tough Remedy¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 89| CD

8/1

Little bit out of his depth at York (1m2f; good to firm) last time when unable to threaten the protagonists. This is more his bag as was shown when he found only the promising Bowerman too good on his penultimate start. Could sneak a place..

Form: 124028

(2)

Ulshaw Bridge^p¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: P Hanagan| T: J D Bethell| OR: 88| D

12/1

Star of his stable after running consistently well in some very hotly contested Class 2/Class 3 handicaps. May have needed the run when eight on return at York (1m; good to firm). Just 1lb above last winning mark and he holds solid claims.

Form: 12943-8

(6)

Parys Mountain^h³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 88| D

33/1

Ended last season in fine style with victories at Catterick and Redcar. Hasn't looked the same horse in two starts this season (well-beaten on both occasions). Makes AW debut and must do much more. 6lb above last winning mark.

Form: 0311-80

(11)

Crownthorpe²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Sean Davis⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 88| BF| D

10/1

Consistent handicapper who usually runs well. Fifth last time out at Chester (1m2f; soft) in a competitive handicap. Sent off 2-1F after comfortably winning at Beverley the time before and this admirable sort is likely to be on the premises again.

Form: 26-5415

(3)

Shrewd³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 87

100/1

Never involved when making return from a long absence at Hamilton (1m5fl good to firm). He is a stayer though, so it would be a surprise were he to figure tonight over a trip as short as this.

Form: 09330/8

(1)

Florenza¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: M Stainton| T: C W Fairhurst| OR: 86| D

100/1

Tremendous effort when denying Agincourt two starts back by a neck at Doncaster (7f; good). Hammered by that rival at York recently, but that was a typically competitive handicap on the Knavesmire and she should relish the return to calmer waters.

Form: 409-510

(4)

London Protocol^p²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: J Fanning| T: J Mackie| OR: 82| D

80/1

Made debut for this yard on seasonal return at Beverley when tailed off. Can't be recommended on the back of that after being dropped just 3lb. Best watched.

Form: 81506-9

(10)

Algaffaal³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: Cam Hardie| T: B Ellison| OR: 78| C

12/1

Was beginning to look regressive but scored on handicap debut (second start for this yard) last time when showing a good attitude to repel Glengarry. Could kick on now as he steps back up to 1m.

Form: 240-51

Non-Runners

(13)

Trevithick¹³

Weight: 9-2| Age: 4

T: B Smart J: G Lee

(5)

Paparazzi⁴

Weight: 8-4| Age: 4

T: Miss Tracy Waggott J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Ibraz (5/2), Lush Life (5/2), Bedouin's Story (11/2), Tough Remedy (8/1), Crownthorpe (10/1), Trevithick (10/1), Ulshaw Bridge (12/1), Algaffaal (12/1), Paparazzi (20/1), Parys Mountain (33/1), London Protocol (80/1), Florenza (100/1), Shrewd (100/1)

He was last seen in the winners enclosure when taking a Sandown handicap last year, and the return to that grade (Class 3) should see Ibraz improve upon what he has achieved in two runs so far this season. This is Ulshaw Bridge's level and he can improve upon his comeback effort at York to be much more competitive this evening, but he will do repel the late challenge of LUSH LIFE who scored under a typical Jamie Spencer ride at Sandown last time. Although she is 3lb higher for that victory, she was value for a lot more than the winning margin of a neck suggests. With similar tactics employed again this evening, she can make the long trip up from Lambourn worthwhile.