17:15 Newcastle

Monday 9 December 2019

All15:1015:4516:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:45

Bombardier British Hopped Amber Beer Handicap

Off time: 17:19 | Winning time: 1m 40.5s

(6)

Thornaby Nash^b²³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: J Ward| OR: 60| D

25/1

Posted eighth career victory at Thirsk in June but has looked out of sorts in three starts this autumn and is hard to get too excited about in current form.

Form: 272900

(4)

Chinese Spirit³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: P J McDonald| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 60| D

14/1

Three wins on turf but hasn't looked a natural on this surface in two previous attempts so jury very much out on ability to handle conditions. Fairly handicapped if turning over a new leaf.

Form: 705340

(1)

Mr Strutter⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: T Eaves| T: Ronald Thompson| OR: 59

14/1

Beaten a neck here over 7f last October and has run with credit last two starts this season, both at Southwell. Just the one place from seven attempts at this venue suggests he's not really in love with the place.

Form: 500635

(8)

Blazing Dreams^p⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: A Mullen| T: B Haslam| OR: 59| BF| CD

5/1

Landed back-to-back victories here in April over 7f then a mile and was beaten far when fourth here in September. Just one start since when disappointing on hurdles bow at Wetherby and will be happier back here on the level.

Form: 113874

(11)

Proceeding³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: L Morris| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 58| CD

5/2

Had become disappointing prior to suddenly finding the key and winning last two starts, both over C&D. 5lb higher now than latest success but there could be more to come and rates a contender as he bids for hat-trick.

Form: 676311

(13)

Traveller^t,v²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Kieran Schofield⁽⁵⁾| T: A Brittain| OR: 56

3/1

Just the one win from 32 attempts and losing run now stretches back to almost three years. Has gone close on a few occasions this autumn but might have ideas of his own when it comes to battling in a finish. Not without place prospects though.

Form: 324253

(7)

Turquoise Friendly^t¹¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P Mulrennan| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 56

25/1

Ran seven times for Robert Cowell showing regressive form last four runs prior to joining current yard in August. Noted running fairly well over 7f on stable debut soon after but not seen since. Market may prove informative.

Form: 269087

(2)

High Fort⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: B A Curtis| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 48| BF

4/1

Placed twice from three starts earlier this autumn and duly started favourite here last time but got no sort of a run, finishing ninth. Has every chance on previous second over C&D so a bold show is not out of the question.

Form: 603929

(9)

Rock Warbler¹²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: Phil Dennis| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 45| CD

33/1

Four-time course winner, including at this trip, but hasn't hit the target since September 2017 when won off mark of 73. Not the force of old but undeniably well handicapped if able to roll back the years. Risky proposition though.

Form: 000690

(10)

The Brora Pobbles⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Barry McHugh| T: A C Whillans| OR: 45

20/1

Well beaten at three-figure odds on both previous attempts on AW. Has shown modest form on occasions on turf and runs in handicap on this surface for the first time. Doesn't inspire great confidence though.

Form: 050547

(3)

Mitchum⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 8-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: R E Barr| OR: 45

200/1

Been a good servant to connections but now very much into the veteran stage. Has never won beyond six furlongs however and nothing he's done of late suggests he's ready to strike upped to this trip.

Form: 097897

(5)

Hey Jazzy Lady⁸³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Paula Muir⁽⁵⁾| T: A Crook| OR: 45

66/1

Beaten nearly 18 lengths at odds of 100/1 last time in 7f maiden here having failed to make her mark in handicaps at this trip in previous efforts. Coming down the weights but victory would be a big surprise.

Form: 500-006

(14)

Margaret J^p⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: D Fentiman| T: P S McEntee| OR: 45

33/1

22-race maiden but went fairly close when third at Chelmsford penultimate start over this trip. Appeared not to get home over extended 9f at Wolverhampton last time but on previous effort wouldn't be without a chance.

Form: 757730

(12)

Amber Rock^p,t³²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Jane Elliott| T: J L Eyre| OR: 45

13/2

May be suited by this straight mile and ran with credit when third at Southwell last time off 1lb lower. Yard having a great run with just a few runners of late so not out of the question this gelding will be in the thick of the action.

Form: 039773

Forecasts

Proceeding (5/2), Traveller (3/1), High Fort (4/1), Blazing Dreams (5/1), Amber Rock (13/2), Mr Strutter (14/1), Chinese Spirit (14/1), The Brora Pobbles (20/1), Turquoise Friendly (25/1), Thornaby Nash (25/1), Rock Warbler (33/1), Margaret J (33/1), Hey Jazzy Lady (66/1), Mitchum (200/1)

Most of these are of limited ability or are unreliable so the hat-trick seeking Proceeding has to be taken very seriously. He should run well, but a chance is taken that bottom weight AMBER ROCK can build on a solid run at Southwell last time for a yard that is flying at present. High Fort and Blazing Dreams both have shown bits and pieces of form that entitle them to be respected at this level, while any interest from the betting markets in Turquoise Friendly on his first start since the summer would be worthy of note.