17:30 Newcastle

Thursday 16 January 2020

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

Betway Handicap

Off time: 17:32 | Winning time: 59.3s

(3)

Commander Han^t⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: S C Williams| OR: 79

7/4

Made a good start for this yard over C&D two runs ago and still ran well in defeat upped in grade and trip (6f) last time. Back to more suitable conditions here and should give another good account.

Form: 838425-

(6)

Canford Bay^h²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 79| CD

9/2

Been holding his form well since September and was unlucky at Wolverhampton (5f) last month after being hampered at the start and denied a clear run late on. Has won here and back off last winning mark so should be right in the mix.

Form: 533624-

(2)

Foxy Forever^b,t²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 9-7| J: F Norton| T: M Wigham| OR: 79| D

10/1

Into the veteran stage now but finished second at Wolverhampton (5f) after being too keen last time and was also runner-up twice in September/October. May well find a younger rivals too good but shouldn't be far away on a going day.

Form: 322682-

(1)

Primo's Comet⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Phil Dennis| T: J S Goldie| OR: 77| CD

8/1

Ran a cracker when 4th in the Stewards' Cup consolation three runs ago but after a 110-day break, hasn't been in that form since. Dropped in grade and trip here (dual C&D winner) so any market move should be noted now 2lb below his last win.

Form: 253480-

(7)

Gamesome⁸⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 8-12| J: J Fanning| T: P T Midgley| OR: 70| D

33/1

Won twice on the spin in the summer (Carlisle/Thirsk) and generally held his form in defeat after. Returning from three months off and has a moderate AW record (0-6) and is best watched for now.

Form: 118435-

(4)

Jonboy^b1²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Raul Da Silva| T: D H Brown| OR: 70| D

11/2

Ran well on his first two runs for this yard after 483-day absence but was well beaten on both starts in December, having been keen both times. Dropping in trip is a positive and has the ability to get involved if bouncing back.

Form: 26/2570-

(5)

Buniann⁸⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Barry McHugh| T: P T Midgley| OR: 69| CD

11/2

Lightly raced after just five starts. Showed improved form to win C&D novice in September and, after a poor handicap debut, matched his winning form in defeat (C&D) to finish fifth, beaten ¾L. Open to improvement on his first run since being gelded.

Form: 7/3105-

Forecasts

Commander Han (7/4), Canford Bay (9/2), Jonboy (11/2), Buniann (11/2), Primo's Comet (8/1), Foxy Forever (10/1), Gamesome (33/1)

A tight little heat in which some sort of case could be made for all seven runners. Dropping back in grade and trip should suit COMMANDER HAN after his good C&D effort two starts ago and he is the tentative selection. Canford Bay was unlucky in defeat at Wolverhampton last time and should go well again whilst Buniann is unexposed and is open to improvement after being gelded.