17:50 Newcastle

Friday 20 September 2019

All17:1517:5018:2018:5019:2019:5020:20

Shiremoor Press Handicap

Off time: 17:50 | Winning time: 2m 39.23s

(2)

Thawry¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 62| C

20/1

Sole win in 24 starts came in a Class 4 handicap over 1m2f here in February (from a mark of 70); unimpressive of late, although he did stumble at the start when beaten 5½L (fourth) by Hooflepuff in a Wolverhampton claimer (1m4f).

Form: 950864

(9)

Love Rat^p⁹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Jonathan Fisher⁽⁷⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 62| D

40/1

Southwell regular; held on by a nose when scoring from this mark at that Nottinghamshire venue (1m4f) last December; given a 99-day break since being left toiling in heavy ground at Nottingham (1m6f) in June; others preferred.

Form: 514087

(5)

Lyford^v1¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: A C Whillans| OR: 54

11/1

AW winner for Sylvester Kirk (1m5½f) who didn't cut the mustard over hurdles for Dan Skelton; beaten 2L when fourth to Ad Libitum (Majestic Stone third) over C&D a fortnight ago; first-time visor replaces cheekpieces; stable remain in-form.

Form: 3214-44

(10)

Sulafaat^p²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Russell Harris⁽⁷⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 53| C

12/1

Runner-up here (1m2f) on her penultimate start before going one-place better under Jessica Bedi at Ripon (1m3f, good) a couple of weeks later; this 1m4f trip should just about be within range; 5lb rise is offset by the 7lb claimer Russell Harris.

Form: 475021

(7)

Hooflepuff^p¹¹^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 54| D

3/1

Exploited the ease in grade when a clearcut 4½L winner of a recent 1m4f Wolverhampton claimer for James Fanshawe (Thawry fourth); competes under a 6lb penalty on debut for Malton trainer Brian Ellison.

Form: 834331

(1)

Raashdy¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: S England| OR: 52| D

5/1

A regular low-grade AW Flat winner (6-26) for previous trainer Peter Hiatt; rejuvenated over hurdles since joining the Sam and Jonathan England team, winning a Hexham maiden (2m, good) by ½L; sits on an attractive mark for Newcastle debut.

Form: 646774

(4)

Beaufort²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 57| BF

7/1

Nine-race maiden; firmly on the premises until late on when a weakening third to Myklachi (Nataleena second) over 2m here three weeks ago; this drop back in trip is considered a wholly positive move.

Form: 557063

(3)

Nataleena²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: A Mullen| T: B Haslam| OR: 56

11/2

Nathaniel filly (30,000gns yearling); was upped in trip (to 2m) for handicap debut here three weeks ago, going close in defeat to Myklachi (Beaufort third); low-mileage and should prove capable of winning a small race somewhere along the line.

Form: 8462

(8)

Majestic Stone¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Harrison Shaw⁽³⁾| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 49

4/1

A gritty winner at Carlisle (1m3f, soft) in May and has made the frame on each of his last four visits to Newcastle (1m2f-1m4f); finished ¾L in front of Lyford when a staying on third to Ad Libitum a fortnight ago.

Form: 144953

(6)

Smart Lass^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Jamie Gormley| T: I Jardine| OR: 47

20/1

Very poor (0-6) for former handler John James Feane; at least offered something more positive to be worked upon on debut for Iain Jardine (also her AW debut) here a fortnight ago - work to do with Majestic Stone and Lyford.

Form: 900-005

Forecasts

Hooflepuff (3/1), Majestic Stone (4/1), Raashdy (5/1), Nataleena (11/2), Beaufort (7/1), Lyford (11/1), Sulafaat (12/1), Smart Lass (20/1), Thawry (20/1), Love Rat (40/1)

A race which features plenty of interwoven form lines as well as a clutch of recent winners, including Hooflepuff, Sulafaat and RAASHDY. The selection won a number of races on the AW for former handler Peter Hiatt in late 2017 before somewhat losing his way. However, clearly fully rejuvenated over hurdles by the Sam and Jonathan England partnership, he switches back to the Flat from a very attractive looking handicap mark. With his old 'mucker' Luke Morris back aboard, he could well resume winning ways on the level with a first career success at Newcastle (has won on Tapeta at Wolverhampton).