12:15 Newcastle

Saturday 14 December 2019

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:45

Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap

Off time: 12:17 | Winning time: 3m 40.14s

(8)

Needs To Be Seen¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Robinson| T: J S Goldie| OR: 67| D

25/1

Of modest ability under both codes of racing and yet to really convince that a trip of 2m is absolutely ideal; makes his AW debut on a career lowest mark (on the Flat) but others appear to hold stronger claims on these terms.

Form: 5-38580

(2)

Tor⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: P Mulrennan| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 67

80/1

Versatile regarding the ground on turf but drawn a blank in eight previous runs on AW surfaces (finished last on his only previous visit to Gosforth Park). Attractively weighted but downed tools quickly when last seen, so, needs to up his game

Form: 546448

(4)

Mercer's Troop⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Ben Sanderson⁽⁵⁾| T: A C Whillans| OR: 63| D

50/1

Poor form in three starts on the Flat (and once over hurdles) since joining his current yard and showed little interest when last seen over timber (Kelso, 2m, good to soft) in October. Down in grade but still has a lot to prove.

Form: 066-060

(13)

Shine Baby Shine³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Nick Barratt-Atkin⁽⁷⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 61| D

12/1

Goes well on the Fibresand at Southwell and well handicapped to be competitive in what is a weak contest. Was a close second in this race last year and merits serious consideration as the mare is set to race from the same mark.

Form: 449522

(6)

Nataleena⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: A Mullen| T: B Haslam| OR: 62| CD

7/2

Less exposed than most and has a proven liking for this course; won over C&D in October and wasn't beaten far when returning here shortly after; runs off the same mark again and no surprise if the filly is a big player when push comes to shove.

Form: 462713

(3)

War Empress³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Shelley Birkett| T: Miss J Feilden| OR: 62

11/1

Hampered at the start on handicap debut at Kempton last month and also met trouble in running as the race unfolded, so feasible she's better than the bare form; had no issues with the trip that day and likely there's more to come. Shortlisted.

Form: 0594

(12)

Yamato^t⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 56

5/1

Irish raider that won with a bit in hand at Wolverhampton when last seen (heavily eased near the line and just held on). An 8lb higher mark makes for a tougher assignment but still dangerous to rule out; debut run at Newcastle only a slight concern.

Form: 585531

(7)

Major Snugfit^p¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: G C O'Neill⁽⁵⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 62

16/1

Won over an extended 7f at Beverly (good) last September but struggled under both codes since. A modest effort over hurdles at Wetherby last month proved inconclusive as to whether 2m suits. Others more convincing this time.

Form: 07-0747

(1)

Coup De Gold⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Hart| T: D Thompson| OR: 62

100/1

Showed some promise as a juvenile when with William Haggas but not done much to boost his profile since swapping hands for 20,000 gns at the Newmarket sales in May. The step up in trip needs to bring about a near transformation on recent evidence.

Form: 2-47705

(10)

Para Queen²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Ellie Mackenzie⁽⁷⁾| T: H Main| OR: 61

9/2

Showed a willing attitude to land an amateur riders handicap at Windsor (1m3f, heavy) in October and ran with credit in both subsequent starts; respectable effort to finish fourth on her Tapeta debut last month. Stamina to prove. now.

Form: 616134

(5)

Ezzrah¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: K Shoemark| T: C Fellowes| OR: 57

3/1

Poor form until switched to the AW at Chelmsford last time out; stayed on well that day and created the impression further will suit. One to bear in mind for a place in the frame if attracting interest in the betting market.

Form: 75002

(9)

Call Me Madam⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Jane Elliott| T: J D Bethell| OR: 45

40/1

Posted a respectable effort at Southwell in early October but was never in contention last time and disappointing she couldn't deliver on the promise. The step up in trip might help but a leap of faith is still required; others more appeal.

Form: 90-5768

(14)

Bravantina^t²⁰⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Cam Hardie| T: M Walford| OR: 45

100/1

Shown very little since she made a pleasing start to finish second in a bumper here on her debut back in January; starts on the Flat have been nothing to write home about so far; well held in both previous runs in handicaps. Not hard to overlook.

Form: 68909

Non-Runners

(11)

Good Man²⁴⁷

Weight: 8-9| Age: 6

T: Karen McLintock J: L Morris

Forecasts

Ezzrah (3/1), Nataleena (7/2), Para Queen (9/2), Yamato (5/1), War Empress (11/1), Shine Baby Shine (12/1), Major Snugfit (16/1), Needs To Be Seen (25/1), Good Man (25/1), Call Me Madam (40/1), Mercer's Troop (50/1), Tor (80/1), Bravantina (100/1), Coup De Gold (100/1)

SHINE SHINE BABY runs off the same mark as when second in this race last year and is forwarded in the hope that she can make the most of an attractive handicap mark and build on two recent near misses at Southwell. Yamato, who was heavily eased when winning last time out, is an obvious danger and merits serious consideration; as does Nataleena, who has plenty of scope and has to be respected back at a course that suits her well. War Empress is another open to improvement and could easily make the frame if she stays out of trouble this time. Ezzrah completes the shortlist.