16:10 Newcastle

Tuesday 28 January 2020

All13:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:10

Equine Products Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle (Div 2)

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 6m 9.8s

Ladronne²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Mr Joe Whitaker⁽⁷⁾| T: T Collier| OR: 101

15/8

Maiden (0-6); held no chance with the talented Minella Trump when runner-up in a Sedgefield novice (2m4f, soft) on his penultimate start; fair fourth on New Year's Day handicap debut (Fakenham); international showjumper Joe Whitaker takes the ride.

Form: 63-4424

Storm Nelson²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Tommie M O'Brien| T: Mrs L B Normile| OR: 100

17/2

Made all when off the mark on handicap debut over hurdles at Ayr (3m, good) in October 2018; appeared in need of the run on return to action (from a 14-month absence) at Ayr 26 days ago.

Form: 4P4/31-P

Court Dismissed^p⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Toby McCain-Mitchell⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 100

66/1

Better known as a chaser and back with Donald McCain following a stint in point-to-points for Alan Hill (husband of Lawney); pulled-up at Southwell (2m4½f, heavy) 44 days ago; in fairness, the handicapper is showing some leniency.

Form: P13-45P

Sultans Pride¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Aaron Anderson⁽³⁾| T: G Boanas| OR: 98

2/1

Maiden (0-10); stayed on from the second last to finish a modest third (beaten 18L) to the clear-cut winner Jobsonfire at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) a fortnight ago; each-way claims.

Form: 047/57-3

Jupiters Way²⁶⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr Henry Newcombe⁽⁷⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 97

25/1

Ex-northern pointer (with owner Vic Colgan); has shown only minimal promise under rules as a novice for Phil Kirby; must take a sizeable step forward on handicap debut; market potentially informative.

Form: PP/634-7

King Gypsy^p1⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr Ed Glassonbury⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 93

14/1

Out the back in three novice starts (all over 2m½f at Bangor On Dee); closely related to the point winner Be My Oscar; could feasibly fare better on handicap debut over this longer trip (2m6f); sports first-time cheekpieces.

Form: P-686

Three County's^h,t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr James King| T: O Murphy| OR: 90

13/2

Has failed to make a positive impression since sent handicapping (eased 18lb since March 2019); was beaten 17L when fourth of nine to Mamoo at Catterick (3m1½f, good to soft) on New Year's Day.

Form: 697-004

Taras Day^p,t⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Lewis Dobb⁽⁷⁾| T: Laura Morgan| OR: 85

12/1

Mixed fortunes so far (1-12); 5lb higher than when beating Robyndzone by 3L at Southwell (3m, good) in May 2019; the 7lb claim of the inexperienced Lewis Dobb is potentially a valuable asset.

Form: 74-1344

Frankies Fire¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Mr Kit Alexander| T: J Walton| OR: 82

14/1

3-6 in point-to-points (Corbridge, Alnwick and Balcormo Mains); her form figures under rules (U05U) don't exactly serve to instil much confidence; is opposed on the balance of probability.

Form: 31-U05U

Forecasts

Ladronne (15/8), Sultans Pride (2/1), Three County's (13/2), Storm Nelson (17/2), Taras Day (12/1), Frankies Fire (14/1), King Gypsy (14/1), Jupiters Way (25/1), Court Dismissed (66/1)

A very tricky finale, which in truth makes precious little appeal from a punting perspective with the safest advice being to follow the market moves, Both Jupiters Way (handicap debut for Phil Kirby) and the newly-cheekpieced and upped-in-trip KING GYPSY are thought capable of better now switched to a more realistic level. The booking of the talented 3lb claimer Ed Glassonbury catches the eye aboard the selection. Others with a definite shout in an open race include Taras Day, Ladronne and Three County's.