13:20 Newcastle

Thursday 21 November 2019

All13:2013:5514:2515:0015:3016:0516:35

Betway Live Casino Handicap

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 2m 41.9s

(9)

Taopix¹⁰¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Jason Hart| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 65| BF| CD

9/1

Has ran exclusively over 1m2f/1m4f at this track on his last nine outings since August 2016. Three course victories to his name in that time. Makes return from monster absence which tempers enthusiasm, but could be well handicapped.

Form: 412313/

(13)

Gripper^p¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: G Lee| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 65

150/1

Only career victory was achieved on the AW when trained by Ralph Beckett last year. Has mainly struggled since switched to this yard though, as shown when he was seventh over hurdles at Musselburgh (2m; good to soft) at the start of the month.

Form: 65317-6

(14)

Mr Carbonator¹²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Nick Barratt-Atkin⁽⁷⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 64

28/1

Makes return after four-month break. Last seen at Catterick (1m4f; good to soft) when posting a lesser effort to finish sixth in this grade. Bit more exposed than some of his rivals, but has some decent pieces of AW form to his name.

Form: 342226

(7)

Visor^h²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 62| BF

7/1

Disappointed in almighty style (sent off 2-5f) at Nottingham (1m6f; soft) last time when fourth of five. Possibly just hated the ground, and should be competitive returned to a handicap back at this trip. Not ruled out.

Form: 39-4724

(8)

Duke Of Alba⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: J Mackie| OR: 62| BF

6/1

Tremendously consistent run of form came to an end at Southwell (1m4f; standard) last month where he was well-beaten. Yet to win a race though as shown by his overall record of 0-14. Must place recent blip behind him.

Form: 242420

(10)

Velvet Vision²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: P Mulrennan| T: Mrs I G-Leveque| OR: 61| C

6/1

Comeback run at Wolverhampton (1m1f; standard) after a short break was full of promise over a trip which was on the short side. Now steps up in trip, and has an each-way squeak if able to build on that.

Form: 366004

(5)

Eesha's Smile^h1⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Jonathan Fisher⁽⁷⁾| T: I Furtado| OR: 65

40/1

Tailed over 1m at this track after an encouraging run at Leicester (1m; good). Handicapper has left her on the same mark, but she is yet to win in nine handicap starts. Needs to bounce back. Market check advised.

Form: 533430

(2)

Flash Point²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Cam Hardie| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 65

12/1

Still lightly raced after just the six starts, but hasn't shown improvement for the switch to this sphere as of yet. Drops in trip/grade after finishing fifth over 2m here when last seen, which offers some hope.

Form: 355575

(1)

Kaizer²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: A Mullen| T: A C Whillans| OR: 60| D

13/2

Returns to the level after being set a very stiff task at Cheltenham (2m; heavy) recently. Broke maiden tag in resounding fashion when last seen on the flat at Musselburgh (1m4f; good to soft). Could follow up off a 6lb higher mark.

Form: 793541

(6)

Vivax²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 65

100/1

One of the less exposed sorts in this contest. Suffered a resounding defeat when last of nine at Southwell (1m; standard) on stable debut/return from a break. Something to prove now, but is no forlorn hope off a 4lb lower mark dropped in grade.

Form: 5189

(3)

Minnelli¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: P J McBride| OR: 64

33/1

Took a backwards step after winning at Yarmouth in September when only sixth at Wolverhampton (1m6f; standard) earlier this month. Drop back in trip to this distance for the first time looks the right move.

Form: 384416

(12)

Glorious Dane⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: D C Costello| T: M Walford| OR: 64| D

20/1

0-4 on the AW, but he hasn't been disgraced in any of those starts. Promising effort for one sent off at such a big price (33-1) when third over C&D most recently. Needs to prove that wasn't a fluke. Mark remains unchanged.

Form: 213063

(4)

Spirit Of Angel³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 62

7/2

Back to form when a much more encouraging second behind Para Queen at Windsor (1m3f; heavy) last month. Now 4lb better off with that rival, but still difficult to see him reversing those placings.

Form: 195462

(11)

Para Queen²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jane Elliott| T: H Main| OR: 62| BF

10/1

Fared more successfully this season after switching to handicap company. Turned over at Nottingham (1m2f; soft) last month, and is off a 5lb higher mark now. Others have more pressing claims.

Form: 861613

Forecasts

Spirit Of Angel (7/2), Velvet Vision (6/1), Duke Of Alba (6/1), Kaizer (13/2), Visor (7/1), Taopix (9/1), Para Queen (10/1), Flash Point (12/1), Glorious Dane (20/1), Mr Carbonator (28/1), Minnelli (33/1), Eesha's Smile (40/1), Vivax (100/1), Gripper (150/1)

After over 1000 days at the track, it would be wise to slightly temper enthusiasm when it comes to assessing the chances of the triple C&D winner Taopix. However, he remains a fascinating contender given his eye-catching record at this track, and the fact he is 5lb lower than when last seen in February 2017. Visor should be forgiven his most recent disappointment, when well-beaten on atrocious ground. He should be able to bounce back, but the most solid option is KAIZER. The selection sluiced up by seven-length at Musselburgh when last seen under this code, and can go in again off just a 6lb higher mark.