18:15 Newcastle

Friday 17 January 2020

All15:1515:4516:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:45

Play 4 To Score At Betway Handicap

Off time: 18:16 | Winning time: 1m 12.16s

(10)

Wasntexpectingthat⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Barry McHugh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 77| BF| CD

1/1

Scored twice here over C&D last month, and maintained progress despite a 1L defeat back here last time. Remains on the same mark, and has to be strongly considered once again.

Form: 08011-2

(2)

Epeius³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: A Mullen| T: B Haslam| OR: 73| CD

10/1

Triple winner over C&D last year, the most recent in a 0-70 in May, when 4lb lower. Has been consistent both on AW and turf since then, but handicapper looks to just have his measure. Each-way player nonetheless.

Form: 224236-

(11)

Captain Dion^b⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: T Eaves| T: I Furtado| OR: 73| CD

22/1

Scored over C&D two years ago when sporting a first-time visor, and has also won over 7f on Polytrack. Last win came on turf in October, since when he has been below par twice on AW. Needs to bounce right back.

Form: 135168-

(7)

Nick Vedder¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: E J Walsh| T: R Brisland| OR: 72| CD

16/1

Dual C&D winner last winter when with Michael Wigham, the more recent when 8lb higher. Unable to produce that sort of effort more than a couple of times for this trainer, but has slipped to an attractive mark and not written off.

Form: 587604-

(3)

Gowanbuster^t⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: P Mulrennan| T: S Corbett| OR: 72| BF| CD

11/1

Has recorded all three career wins here over 5f/6f, the best of them last April, when 4lb lower. Back in better form again on his second start after a break over 5f here last time and is very interesting back over this trip after that.

Form: 31290-3

(9)

Lucky Lodge^v³⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 9-5| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 71| CD

14/1

Five-time course winner, mainly over this trip. 5lb higher than the most recent of those in November, but has run really well from today's mark on both starts since. Needs to pull out a bit more, but not ruled out.

Form: 932134-

(6)

Etikaal³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: S H James| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 69| CD

13/2

Triple course winner (6f/7f) and seeking a hat-trick at the track after two of those in succession in recent months. Up 5lb for that, but looked to have a bit tucked up his sleeve again last time, so can't rule out another win up in grade.

Form: 210911-

(5)

Be Proud³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Corey Madden⁽⁷⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 67| C

9/1

Dual 5f winner here, the latest coming last month from a 5lb lower mark. Up in grade here, but trip shouldn't be a problem and he is another who can't be ruled out.

Form: 152241-

(1)

Arcavallo⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: M Dods| OR: 65| D

22/1

Triple turf winner at up to 6f. Lost form last summer and went on the slide in the handicap as a result. Didn't fare much better on AW debut here (7f) last month. Plenty to prove at present.

Form: 690098-

Non-Runners

(8)

Rock Boy Grey²¹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 5

T: D M Loughnane J: D C Costello

(4)

Black Friday⁴²

Weight: 9-6| Age: 5

T: Karen McLintock J: B A Curtis

Forecasts

Wasntexpectingthat (1/1), Rock Boy Grey (11/2), Etikaal (13/2), Be Proud (9/1), Epeius (10/1), Gowanbuster (11/1), Lucky Lodge (14/1), Nick Vedder (16/1), Black Friday (20/1), Captain Dion (22/1), Arcavallo (22/1)

A very open look to this. Wasntexpectingthat should again be capable of going very close, but he does have to pull out a bit more, and perhaps this can go to GOWANBUSTER, who loves it here and shaped up nicely again last time. There are plenty of others who could get involved, with Lucky Lodge, Be Proud, Arcavallo, Epeius and Rock Boy Grey among them.