20:30 Newcastle

Tuesday 17 September 2019

All17:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Gainford Group Handicap

Off time: 20:33 | Winning time: 59.36s

(1)

The Grey Zebedee^b⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 60| D

18/1

Hasn't progressed as anticipated since winning reasonably well at Catterick (5f, soft) last month; 5lb above that winning mark; is certainly worth another go on the AW (twice placed here in 2018).

Form: 732133

(3)

On Route^p¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 60

16/1

Eight-race maiden with seemingly precious little to spare from her current handicap mark of 60; is effective on the AW and feasibly could improve for the run at Kempton (6f) 11 days ago - her first start for almost 12 months.

Form: 44226-7

(6)

Swiss Connection^h¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 60

7/1

Eight-race maiden; kept on from an unhelpful wide position when fourth of eight to Four Wheel Drive at Beverley (5f, good to soft) on his penultimate start; runner-up at this track (6f) in July 2018.

Form: 78-0044

(4)

Gorgeous General^b1²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Phil Dennis| T: L A Mullaney| OR: 58| CD

9/1

C&D winner who has also scored three-times on Fibresand at Southwell (5f-6f); is generally consistent and managed to hit the frame at Southwell recently (beaten 5¾L); blinkers applied seeking that all important extra edge.

Form: 434273

(12)

Groundworker¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Barry McHugh| T: P T Midgley| OR: 58| CD

22/1

A capable, if frustrating sprinter who generally needs the cards to drop his way; effective at this track (dual C&D winner) and arrives off the back of a surprise 25-1 win at Hamilton (5f, heavy); a definite player despite a 7lb rise.

Form: 317001

(5)

Everkyllachy¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 58| CD

22/1

3lb higher than when scoring over C&D in March (beat Angel Eyes by a short-head); rather laboured of late, and it's difficult to know exactly what to expect; has the required ability when on song and an excellent 3lb claimer aboard.

Form: 456469

(7)

Kibaar¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 56| CD

40/1

Won in this grade over C&D last September, and has raced only once on the AW since (well beaten); seldom seen on turf during mid-summer either so could feasibly benefit for the comeback run (needs to) at Catterick a fortnight ago.

Form: 50-2707

(9)

Deeds Not Words^p⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Hart| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 56| D

28/1

More miss than hit since joining this trainer after winning a January Lingfield claimer (6f) for Michael Wigham; tumbling in the weights as a result; runner-up at Catterick (6f, good to firm) four starts back; 6-32 on the AW (career).

Form: 002899

(14)

Gleaming Arch⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: K Stott| T: F Watson| OR: 55

12/1

Nine-race maiden; hasn't shown any signs of positive form so far in 2019 (0-2); beaten ½L by Madam Devious in a six-runner C&D novice last October.

Form: 0268-09

(11)

Hanati¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 56| D

50/1

With Simon Crisford when winning a 5f novice at Wolverhampton in January; moved on for 11,000gns in May; 0-4 for Brian Ellison since, easing 9lb in the weights.

Form: 258505

(10)

Alqaab^h²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: J Garritty| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 53

9/1

Nine-race maiden (formerly with William Haggas); ran his best race for Ruth Carr (also saddles Kibaar) when a keeping on 2¼L third to Dahik at Redcar (6f, good to firm) 24 days ago; place possible off a 1lb lower mark on AW return.

Form: 095773

(13)

Be Proud³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: J S Goldie| OR: 53

9/4

15-race maiden (0-3 on the AW - mainly early career for Richard Hannon); runner-up on each of his last two starts, including at Musselburgh on Saturday (7f, good to firm) when beaten a neck by My Valentino; is clearly race-fit.

Form: 87-8622

(8)

Someone Exciting²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Harrison Shaw⁽³⁾| T: D Thompson| OR: 50

14/1

Led late when seeing off Nifty Niece and eight others in a Class 6 handicap at Catterick (6f, good) three weeks ago; competes off a 3lb lower mark here (0-10 on the AW); runner-up (Groundworker third) over C&D in April; contender.

Form: 881031

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 5p in the pound

Non-Runners

(2)

Arnold²³

Weight: 9-7| Age: 5

T: Mrs A Duffield J: J Fanning

Forecasts

Be Proud (9/4), Swiss Connection (7/1), Gorgeous General (9/1), Alqaab (9/1), Arnold (10/1), Gleaming Arch (12/1), Someone Exciting (14/1), On Route (16/1), The Grey Zebedee (18/1), Groundworker (22/1), Everkyllachy (22/1), Deeds Not Words (28/1), Kibaar (40/1), Hanati (50/1)

A tough finale in which plenty hold a realistic chance, so it would be foolish to be bullish about the selection. Groundworker is a tricky customer who surprised the vast majority of onlookers when scoring in the mud at Hamilton but it'll come as no surprise if he's on the premises off a strong early pace (as a dual C&D winner). Be Proud has knocked at the door recently, while both Everkyllachy and SOMEONE EXCITING have talented 3lb claimers booked. The latter named mare burst through with a winning run at Catterick (6f) recently, and is able to race off a 3lb lower mark on the AW. Although a maiden on synthetics, she does handles Tapeta so could go close.