15:45 Newcastle

Saturday 14 December 2019

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

Betway Handicap

Off time: 15:47 | Winning time: 59.53s

(12)

Young Tiger^h¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: A Mullen| T: T P Tate| OR: 65| CD

12/1

In flying form on the Fibresand lately but worth noting his winning spree started over C&D in October. The handicapper has hit him hard since then and he now has a career highest mark to contend with but still dangerous to omit from any plans.

Form: 731151

(4)

Jan Van Hoof¹⁷⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Barry McHugh| T: M Herrington| OR: 65| CD

25/1

Absent since June so fitness a slight concern, but the gelding is a previous C&D winner and he's won on the back of break before now. On a handy mark so has to be one to monitor closely in the betting.

Form: 327600

(1)

Swiss Connection^h⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 65| BF| CD

14/1

Won over C&D in October but behind Be Proud when sent off as favourite last time out. No obvious excuse for that modest effort but no surprise to see him bounce back.

Form: 044219

(13)

Arishka^b¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: K T O'Neill| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 65| CD

33/1

A likable filly but her form has taken a dive since she won a quick brace back in May/June; she's 5lb above her C&D winning mark in the summer and has a bit to prove after two modest efforts last month.

Form: 126000

(6)

Landing Night^p,t⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: B A Curtis| T: R Menzies| OR: 64| CD

6/1

Another with a decent record over C&D and can be considered competitively weighted from 2lb below his last winning mark. Went close over C&D in his penultimate outing and a repeat dose will see him in the mix once more.

Form: 045334

(9)

Be Proud²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: D Tudhope| T: J S Goldie| OR: 62| CD

10/3

Has form that ties in with a few of these and would be a threat to all if he gets the strong pace he needs. Has been expensive to follow but plenty to like about his claims once more.

Form: 215224

(7)

Piazon^b,e/s¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Harrison Shaw⁽³⁾| T: Julia Brooke| OR: 60| D

50/1

All previous AW wins gained at Southwell and has a bit to find with Young Tiger from last time out. His effectiveness on this surface also has to be taken on trust.Others preferred this time.

Form: 033267

(3)

Mutabaahy⁴^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Seamus Cronin⁽⁵⁾| T: A Brittain| OR: 54| D

4/1

Respected on current form but carries a 5lb penalty for his win at Wolverhampton earlier in the week and this looks a tougher race. However, he's still potentially leniently treated in handicapping terms, so might have more to offer.

Form: 559801

(8)

Qaaraat^p⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 58| CD

7/1

Stablemate of Mutabaahy and behind that rival at Wolverhampton on Tuesday; never a factor that day so has a bit to prove on face value. However, his November C&D defeat of Be Proud and Kylachy Warrior gives him a chance here. One to consider.

Form: 563127

(5)

Burtonwood¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: P Mulrennan| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 57| CD

20/1

Be hard to catch right this season and his losing sequence is starting to mount up; needs to bounce back from a poor run at Southwell last month but the switch to Tapeta is in his favour. Risk still attached, though.

Form: 328827

(2)

Rockley Point^b⁵^{(ex 5)}

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Jason Hart| T: K Scott| OR: 49| CD

13/2

A prime candidate to set the fractions and arrives on the back of a C&D win on Monday. 5lb extra to cope with but is still hard to rule out in his current form.

Form: 434521

(10)

Peters Pudding^v¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Gavin Ashton⁽⁷⁾| T: L Williamson| OR: 50

150/1

Acts on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton but has been out for form since joining his current yard and has a lot to prove as he makes his Newcastle debut . The rider's 7lb claim might not be enough to help him gain that elusive first career win.

Form: 440707

Non-Runners

(11)

Kyllachy Warrior¹⁷

Weight: 9-9| Age: 3

T: L A Mullaney J: Faye McManoman

Forecasts

Be Proud (10/3), Mutabaahy (4/1), Landing Night (6/1), Rockley Point (13/2), Qaaraat (7/1), Kyllachy Warrior (10/1), Young Tiger (12/1), Swiss Connection (14/1), Burtonwood (20/1), Jan Van Hoof (25/1), Arishka (33/1), Piazon (50/1), Peters Pudding (150/1)

A tough one to call as many of these are old rivals and there is little to split them at the weights. Be Proud has form that bring a few of them together and he, along with Qaaraat, Swiss Connection and Young Tiger are all worth considering. However, this might be the day when everything falls into place for LANDING LIGHT , who is 2lb below his last winning mark on turf, he edges a slender vote of confidence. Rockley Point and Mutabaahy are also respected but both have a penalty to cope with today.