17:15 Newcastle

Wednesday 18 December 2019

All15:4516:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:15

Ladbrokes 'Play 1-2 Free' On Football Nursery

Off time: 17:20 | Winning time: 1m 10.96s

(4)

River Cam^p1¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: P J McDonald| T: J Tate| OR: 69

11/2

Has placed in all bar one of his starts to cate and generally running well in all of them, including very good third of 12 in Kempton nursery (6f) two weeks ago. Cheekpieces on for the first time could see further improvement.

Form: 222343

(3)

Castlehill Retreat²⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: B Haslam| OR: 69| BF| C

9/2

Course winner two starts ago and arguably made further improvement when close third of seven in 1m nursery in early November. Raced too keenly that day and the drop back to 6f should help.

Form: 39613

(5)

Magic Twist²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 69

66/1

Four-raced maiden. Best effort came when second Epsom at the start of August but on a backward curve since, including when last of 11 at Kempton (1m) last month. Back down in trip but others have more pressing claims.

Form: 3270

(2)

Havana Dawn^b1⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: Phillip Makin| OR: 68| D

11/2

Experienced sort for her age and generally consistent without getting close. Runner-up at Southwell two starts ago but slow start cost her chance when fourth of 10 at Wolverhampton (6f) over a week ago. Blinkers on for first time.

Form: 434024

(6)

Asstech⁵⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 66

33/1

Lightly-raced maiden who hasn't been able to land a blow as of yet. Latest last of 11 in 6f Yarmouth nursery in October leaves a bit to be desired.

Form: 7680

(10)

Gold Brocade⁴²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: B A Curtis| T: M Appleby| OR: 66

11/2

Showed a fair level of ability for previous trainer in Ireland, with best performance coming when second at Limerick in October. Not as good at Dundalk since but interesting sort for new yard.

Form: 44259

(8)

Got The T Shirt¹⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 66

10/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Improvement seemingly stopped when disappointing when well-fancied for 1m1f Wolverhampton nursery on latest start. Significantly down in trip for this.

Form: 7458

(13)

Proclaimer¹¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Hart| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 65

15/2

Thrice-raced maiden who has failed to land a telling blow as of late. Last seen finishing down the field in 5f Carlisle novice in August. Off for 119 days and makes handicap debut but is best watched.

Form: 768

(9)

Ballyare^t1⁴⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: T Eaves| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 65

22/1

Thrice-raced maiden in Ireland. Wasn't beaten far on last start for previous yard when fifth of 14, beaten 8L, in 5f Dundalk maiden. Switches to nurseries for new stable but market should guide.

Form: 475

(12)

Clotherholme⁵⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: A Mullen| T: Mrs A Duffield| OR: 64

12/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Showed some promising signs when fifth of 11 in 5f Catterick contest in late October. Slightly more needed but given a lenient mark for handicap debut.

Form: 745

(1)

Brainchild²⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Ben Sanderson⁽⁵⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 64

40/1

Four-race maiden who has failed to land a telling blow in each start, including when 5L fourth of seven in 1m nursery at this track last time out. Drops back in trip but more is required now.

Form: 8454

(7)

Redzone²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 59

12/1

Five-race maiden but not the most impressive recently. Was passing beaten rivals when latest seventh of 14 at Chelmsford (6f) under three weeks ago and has more on her plate in this.

Form: 09047

(14)

Classy Lady¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 8-1| J: J P Sullivan| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 49

28/1

Showed a liking for this surface when a good third in 5f nursery here in October but went slightly backwards when fifth of 12 in 6f Southwell nursery last time out. May need a couple of these to falter.

Form: 024535

(11)

Queen Moya¹⁶¹

Age: 2| Weight: 8-0| J: Izzy Clifton⁽⁷⁾| T: N Tinkler| OR: 45

150/1

Thrice-raced maiden who has failed to land a blow. Latest effort saw her finish seventh of eight in 5f Catterick claimer in July. Off 161 days and best watched on comeback effort.

Form: 807

Forecasts

Castlehill Retreat (9/2), Gold Brocade (11/2), River Cam (11/2), Havana Dawn (11/2), Proclaimer (15/2), Got The T Shirt (10/1), Redzone (12/1), Clotherholme (12/1), Ballyare (22/1), Classy Lady (28/1), Asstech (33/1), Brainchild (40/1), Magic Twist (66/1), Queen Moya (150/1)

There is very little winning form present in this contest and with most of the field covered by little in ratings, preference is for joint-top weight RIVER CAM, who has regularly ran up to scratch and even improved more last time when third in a good-looking nursery last time. With questions surrounding his other rivals he looks the one to beat. Castlehill Retreat raced well over 1m last time, but it just stretched him that day and will be interesting to see how he handles the drop in trip, while the likes of Gold Brocade and Ballyare bring Irish form to the table and are unexposed this side of the channel.