14:00 Newcastle

Saturday 14 December 2019

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

Betway Classified Stakes

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 2m 43.22s

(2)

Airplane²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: C J McGovern⁽³⁾| T: Paul Collins| OR: 45| D

28/1

Both previous career wins gained around this sort of trip but form has taken a dive over the last year and he's yet to recapture his sparkle since joining his current yard. Record since the recent switch to the AW is also uninspiring.

Form: 560069

(1)

Das Kapital^p⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: F Norton| T: John Berry| OR: 47

5/1

Lacks experience of this surface but is entitled to respect on the pick of his form on turf; and certainly doesn't have much to find to get competitive in this sort of company. Well worth a betting check even though he's a 0-12 maiden up to press.

Form: 382053

(8)

Gworn⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: R Havlin| T: R M Smith| OR: 45

22/1

Five of his seven career wins were notched at Ayr but it's two and half years since he was last victorious and his recent form has been very mixed. Races from a career lowest mark and needs to prove he's not just on the downgrade these days.

Form: 024570

(5)

If We Can Can^b²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: Olly Williams| OR: 50

100/1

Managed a win for Mark Johnston (1m2f, good to firm, at Redcar) last May but was soon moved on after a string of modest results. Hasn't impressed in two starts for his current yard and needs a big step forward on his Tapeta debut.

Form: 8797-90

(7)

Life Knowledge^b⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: B A Curtis| T: L Bailey| OR: 47| CD

12/1

A dual C&D winner but seems to be a shade of better days at present; finished behind the likes of Majestic Stone and Gworn here last time out and not many positives to take from that moderate effort. Others preferred.

Form: 473669

(11)

Majestic Stone¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Hart| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 48

7/2

Gone close in both his last two starts and holds a few of these on a literal reading of the form. One of the more likely candidates in this company even though he's only got a solitary win to his name from 27 previous runs (0-11 on the AW, though).

Form: 953523

(9)

Optima Petamus^p⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Ben Robinson| T: L Bailey| OR: 45

14/1

Four years since his only previous win (record now stand at 1-53 in total) and easy to find fault in his profile. Did run well at Wolverhampton last week but not certain to be in the same frame of mind this time around.

Form: 464664

(4)

The Brora Pobbles⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Barry McHugh| T: A C Whillans| OR: 44

14/1

Yet to even make the frame from 10 starts and has also been disappointing on both previous visits to this racecourse. Plenty to prove on his first try at this trip.

Form: 505477

(6)

Traditional Dancer^b⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: L Morris| T: I Jardine| OR: 46

10/1

Lots of ability but he refused to race (over fences) twice in the last couple of months and there are obvious reservations about him reverting to the AW just now. He's gone well here before but plenty depends on his frame of mind at the start.

Form: 5/8623-4

(12)

Calevade⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P Mulrennan| T: B Haslam| OR: 48

4/1

Open to a bit of improvement in handicaps but needs to prove himself over the trip. His latest start (over 1m here) left a bit to be desired, though.

Form: 60-7496

(13)

Dixieland^p1¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 49

14/1

Wears cheekpieces for the first time and takes huge step up in trip in his bid to get off the mark at the thirteenth time of asking. Looks a risky option despite a top jockey being booked for the ride.

Form: 007468

(10)

Initial Approach¹⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: G Lee| T: A D Brown| OR: 40

125/1

Poor form posted up to press and is yet to start a race at odds lower than 50/1; posted a poor effort on her handicap debut back in July and is very hard to recommend after being absent since then.

Form: 7099

(3)

Klipperty Klopp¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 49

11/1

Ran encouragingly when tried over this trip at Wolverhampton earlier this month and merits consideration as one of a minority that comes into this on the back of an improved effort. The handicapper has given him a chance, too. One to bear in mind.

Form: 034025

Non-Runners

(14)

Lady Shanawell⁷

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: B Haslam J: A Mullen

Forecasts

Lady Shanawell (3/1), Majestic Stone (7/2), Calevade (4/1), Das Kapital (5/1), Traditional Dancer (10/1), Klipperty Klopp (11/1), Life Knowledge (12/1), Optima Petamus (14/1), The Brora Pobbles (14/1), Dixieland (14/1), Gworn (22/1), Airplane (28/1), If We Can Can (100/1), Initial Approach (125/1)

MAJESTIC STONE looks the safest option in a weak race like this. The selection can confirm recent superiority over Gworn and Life Knowledge but might find Lady Shawell a bit of handful if the filly raises her game now she's back on the Flat. Traditional Dancer is another with ability but refused to race twice over hurdles recently so plenty depends on how he handles the starting stalls.