16:10 Newcastle

Saturday 29 June 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:1517:50

Betfair Handicap

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 2m 44.22s

(10)

Zabeel Star^p1¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 80| C| D

20/1

Quirky customer (usually a reluctant starter); no surprise to see him equipped with cheekpieces (first-time), well held at York last time. Has shown some of his better form here (course winner; 1m); hard to support given his starting habits.

Form: 055-530

(1)

Top Notch Tonto³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: Ben Robinson⁽³⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 79

5/1

Former smart sort; no more than a fair handicapper now having returned to his one of his former yards. Not won since 2015, did take a step in the right direction recently; trip/AW not certain to suit, features on a handy mark if building on last star

Form: 09-0077

(7)

Houlton^p,t⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: M Botti| OR: 76| BF

9/2

Dual AW winner (Chelmsford) over longer trips than he faces here; still to really prove himself on turf (may not have been suited by circumstances last time). Now back on the AW he'll need a test of stamina and not speed to be seen at his best.

Form: 1-22417

(5)

Alfa McGuire^h1¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: P Hanagan| T: Phillip Makin| OR: 76

10/1

Hasn't won since he was a juvenile; yet to fire this year having changed stables (did run his best race this year over 1m2f here, modest form). Fared poorly last time at Thirsk over this trip (not bred to stay this far); now hooded first-time.

Form: 70-9477

(8)

Rashdan^b¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: H Palmer| OR: 75| C

4/1

Won twice last year on AW (once here over 1m2f off 6lb higher) but overall his profile isn't a convincing one. His three starts this year have proved to be underwhelming (now back in blinkers); well held last time at Thirsk failing to convince.

Form: 745-738

(4)

Orsino²⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: S Spencer| OR: 75

25/1

Back from a fair absence having failed to fire when last seen (had offered encouraging signs on his previous run off a long break). Has some fair form to his name on turf/AW around this trip; 4lb above last winning mark, interesting if ready to go.

Form: 3153/20-

(3)

Francophilia¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 73| D

5/1

Winner on turf in a lower grade than this eventually getting off the mark at Lingfield in a race she was always well positioned in. Comes here off a lacklustre display at Ripon on soft ground; yet to be placed on AW, others appeal more off this mark.

Form: 025126

(9)

Snookered^p⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Kerrin McEvoy| T: B Ellison| OR: 72

13/2

Only recently returned to the Flat after a spell over hurdles running with credit at Nottingham (1m2f, soft). Consistent form here (2543) although there doesn't look a lot of scope from his handicap mark; not out of this but more required.

Form: 43314-4

(2)

Archive³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 8-10| J: Kieran Schofield⁽⁷⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 69| CD

12/1

Rejuvenated by a wind op; scored three consecutive wins over this trip the final leg of that trio coming over C&D off a 2lb lower mark (has won off this mark). Disappointed last time (busy spell taking its toll); break may well have refreshed him.

Form: 641110

(6)

The Blues Master⁵¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Jason Watson| T: A King| OR: 66| D

10/1

Last seen over hurdles (major absence to overcome); an AW winner when with Mark Johnston. Given his hurdles rating (120) he's not badly weighted here from a stable that are always to be respected with their Flat runners; market move would interest.

Form: 337563/

Forecasts

Rashdan (4/1), Houlton (9/2), Francophilia (5/1), Top Notch Tonto (5/1), Snookered (13/2), The Blues Master (10/1), Alfa McGuire (10/1), Archive (12/1), Zabeel Star (20/1), Orsino (25/1)

Not many of these come here at the top of their game and a creative approach may be needed but it won’t be a surprise if Bran Ellison takes this with all his three representatives having a chance. Top Notch Tonto features on a handy mark having hinted at a return to form earlier in the week with Snookered and C&D winner Archive both meriting respect. Houlton returns to his chosen surface (booking of Andrea Atzeni a plus) if he gets the test of stamina that he needs at this trip. Both Orsino and THE BLUES MASTER return from significant breaks, the former has gone well fresh before but it’s the well weighted (on his hurdles form) latter who gets the vote especially if there is market support.