17:00 Newcastle

Thursday 16 January 2020

All15:5516:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:00

Ladbrokes Where The Nation Plays Handicap

Off time: 17:02 | Winning time: 1m 27.32s

(6)

Penmellyn^h²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: S A Gray| T: Phillip Makin| OR: 69

11/4

Six-race maiden who has improved since switching to handicaps on each of his last three runs, including finishing second here the last twice. Creeping up in the weights as a result but her profile would suggest her first win isn't too far away.

Form: 756422-

(4)

Castlehill Retreat²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: P Mulrennan| T: B Haslam| OR: 68| BF| CD

7/2

Made a winning handicap debut by a nose over C&D three runs ago. Sent-off favourite on both starts since, when 1m seemingly stretched him before being outpaced at 6f most recently. Return to 7f will help but still 4lb above his winning mark.

Form: 396137-

(2)

Ballyare^t²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: T Eaves| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 68

6/1

Built upon his three Irish starts on stable/handicap debut here (6f) four weeks ago, being touched off by a nose and may well have won but for missing the break. Step up in trip no problem (dam won up to 1m) and another good run expected.

Form: 4752-

(5)

Secret Smile^b1¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 68

16/1

Her best effort came at Chelmsford (7f) four runs ago when finishing fourth, beaten 1¾L. Dropped out tamely on handicap debut at Lingfield (1m) last time and now returns to 7f with blinkers added for the first time.

Form: 064736-

(1)

Bold Suitor⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: C Lee| T: E Walker| OR: 66

15/8

Showed ability in his two AW starts to date, whilst his other run came on heavy ground which may not have suited. Make his handicap debut off a fair mark and the yard have started the new year in flying form. Shortlisted.

Form: 705-

(3)

Ventura Destiny⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Ben Sanderson⁽⁵⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 63| BF| CD

28/1

Up 16lb for two wins over this trip (Southwell/C&D) before finishing last at Wolverhampton (7f) on her last run, 61 days ago. That run too bad to be true on previous evidence and interesting how she fares in the market after a little break.

Form: 768110-

(7)

Sea Ewe⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Andrew Breslin⁽⁵⁾| T: A C Whillans| OR: 53

100/1

Hasn't offered a great deal in three outings so far but should do better now handicapping. This is a competitive contest for handicap debut, however, and will need to improve significantly to get off the mark.

Form: 950-

Forecasts

Bold Suitor (15/8), Penmellyn (11/4), Castlehill Retreat (7/2), Ballyare (6/1), Secret Smile (16/1), Ventura Destiny (28/1), Sea Ewe (100/1)

There were some promising signs from BOLD SUITOR on his two AW runs so far and with his trainer in red-hot form at the moment, he is the selection to make a winning handicap debut. Ballyare went close on his handicap debut recently and the extra furlong should be within range to build on that whilst you can put a line through the last run of Ventura Destiny and she was improving rapidly before that.