14:00 Newcastle

Wednesday 8 January 2020

All13:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:30

Betway Handicap

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 1m 13.86s

(1)

Heath Charnock³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: M Dods| OR: 86| BF| CD

7/2

C&D winner in the past and has proven to be a model of consistency since that victory. Not beaten far when fourth behind smart rival over C&D last time and off the same mark for this. Leading claims.

Form: 234234-

(6)

Concierge⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: D Loughnane| OR: 85| CD

14/1

Previous C&D winner for George Scott but looking well-held as of present, including when ninth of 11 at Lingfield (7f) on stable debut. Others hold more obvious claims at the moment.

Form: 373599-

(3)

Storm Over²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: B A Curtis| T: Phillip Makin| OR: 84

9/2

Slightly lost his way last season for his previous yard and was looking like he wasn't firing before head-defeat at Wolverhampton (6f) last month. Up 2lb for that but considered.

Form: 336082-

(4)

Double Up^p,t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Hart| T: Ian Williams| OR: 83| D

28/1

Without a win since 2017 and was looking a regressive sort for this yard before 40/1 third at Wolverhampton (6f) on latest start. Only given 1lb rise for that and may be of interest if at a large price.

Form: 009703-

(7)

Reckless Endeavour²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Hollie Doyle| T: T D Barron| OR: 78| D

6/1

Running well without winning on the AW this winter - including over C&D - and ran another solid race when third at Wolverhampton (7f) in December. 6f may suit better and entitled to place claims.

Form: 667243-

(8)

Astro Jakk^v¹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 78| D

15/2

Sole win came on debut at Southwell last March but well held on latest start at that venue when 12L eighth (6f). Has low mileage however so remains slightly unexposed. Ran at Southwell yesterday.

Form: 12208-1

(5)

Wasntexpectingthat²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Barry McHugh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 77| CD

15/8

Looked to be struggling but bounced right back to form, winning his last two starts over this C&D in November and December. Up another 6lb but may be belatedly progressing. Respected.

Form: 408011-

(9)

Omran^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: F Norton| T: M Wigham| OR: 75| C

80/1

Won at this track before switching to Ireland and hasn't made an impact when snapped up by this yard. Latest 13L eighth at Chelmsford (6f) leaves a lot to be desired at present.

Form: 150/808-

Non-Runners

(2)

Six Strings⁷

Weight: 8-13| Age: 6

T: M Appleby J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Wasntexpectingthat (15/8), Heath Charnock (7/2), Storm Over (9/2), Reckless Endeavour (6/1), Astro Jakk (15/2), Concierge (14/1), Six Strings (14/1), Double Up (28/1), Omran (80/1)

This race looks like it will be between the top two in the market and preference is for the top weight, HEATH CHARNOCK. The four-year-old has held his mark well since victory on debut over C&D and looks to be being given a chance by the handicapper of his current rating to run yet another bold race. Wasntexpectingthat is expected to be the main rival given his rapid progression over C&D but faces his sternest test to date, while the likes of Storm Over and Double Up look to be coming back into form for their new yards respectively but need to find more on ratings.