17:45 Newcastle

Friday 31 January 2020

All16:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:15

Bombardier Golden Beer Handicap

Off time: 17:46 | Winning time: 1m 39.17s

(1)

Little Jo^p²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 82| CD

9/1

Finished strongly when going down in a three-way photo to My Target over C&D in November - is 3lb better off with that reopposing rival; ran as well as could be expected (fifth) in a 7f Class 3 here 23 days ago.

Form: 31/038-5

(3)

Tangled^h⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Shane Gray| T: K Tutty| OR: 80

12/1

Useful juvenile for Richard Hannon; hasn't won since landing the Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes at York (6f, good to soft) in August 2017; was beaten ¾L by Fennaan over C&D in early October; returns fresh from an 84-day break.

Form: 6/60829-

(11)

First Response^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs L Stubbs| OR: 80| CD

11/4

Brought his C&D record to 2-3 when driven out to beat the reopposing Paparazzi over C&D a fortnight ago; has earned a subsequent 3lb weights rise (sits on a joint career-high mark).

Form: 1772-41

(4)

Red Bond³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 79

9/2

Consistent and improving Red Jazz colt (is effective anywhere between 1m and 1m2f); was headed well inside the final furlong when finishing third to Kaser (First Response second) at Wolverhampton (1m1½f) over the festive period.

Form: 56/1123-

(9)

My Target¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: P J McDonald| T: M Wigham| OR: 79| CD

15/2

Sprung a 25-1 surprise when getting the nod in a three-way photo (Little Jo third) over C&D in November; twice placed at Lingfield (1m-1m2f) since; is 3lb worse off with the Brian Ellison-trained runner.

Form: 01532-5

(10)

Motawaafeq^h⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 78

7/1

French import; won a 7f Wolverhampton maiden on debut for Mick Appleby before bombing out behind First Response and Red Bond next time; has blown hot and cold over longer trips (1m2f-1m4f); needs to be on his mettle here.

Form: 4410-24

(8)

Paparazzi¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Cam Hardie| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 77| CD

9/1

His Newcastle form figures since January 2019 read 121282; was returning from a six-month absence when finishing 1¼L second to First Response over C&D a fortnight ago - 3lb better off; could strip fitter, and his stable have been going very well.

Form: 77828-2

(2)

Vive La Difference^b¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 76| CD

14/1

In fine fettle during November & December, winning twice over C&D (Class 5); the form of his latest win is rock-solid (boosted numerous times); couldn't quite cope with this revised mark (76) when fifth to First Response a fortnight ago.

Form: 48211-5

(5)

Pastime⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: D C Costello| T: K Frost| OR: 75| C

20/1

With Gay Kelleway when winning here (7f) on handicap debut way back in June 2017; has raced on just three occasions since July 2018; easing in the weights and trying to find his feet for Kevin Frost (0-2); can't be discounted.

Form: 347/745-

(7)

Silver Dust^p1¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 67

15/2

Eight-race maiden; 4lb lower than when finishing fourth to Valley Of Fire (Vive La Difference second) over 7f here in November; his pedigree suggests that he should stay 1m but limited race evidence implies otherwise; cheekpieces go on.

Form: 6/7948-3

Non-Runners

(6)

Thaayer¹⁶

Weight: 8-10| Age: 5

T: M Herrington J: T Eaves

Forecasts

First Response (11/4), Red Bond (9/2), Motawaafeq (7/1), My Target (15/2), Silver Dust (15/2), Paparazzi (9/1), Little Jo (9/1), Tangled (12/1), Vive La Difference (14/1), Thaayer (14/1), Pastime (20/1)

An ultra-competitive Class 4 handicap featuring an array of useful horses who are more than capable of taking this prize. My Target and Little Jo were involved in a three-way photo finish over C&D in November with the former springing a 25-1 surprise, while the Tim Easterby-trained Vive La Difference has risen through the ranks with a productive spell of course form. However, we'll elect to focus upon First Response and PAPARAZZI. Given the fact that Tracy Waggott's Spennymoor string are in flying form, the selection is fancied to avenge his recent C&D defeat (on 3lb better terms). Others of interest for the future include Pastime and Thaayer.