19:30 Newcastle

Thursday 6 February 2020

All16:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:00

Bombardier Golden Beer Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 19:31 | Winning time: 1m 45.83s

(5)

Decoration Of War^t,v¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 57

9/1

In a poor run of form since returning from a break until just missing out on a place (fourth) in a 1m½f Class 6 selling handicap at Wolverhampton ten days ago; holds an outside place chance from an easing mark.

Form: 570-904

(7)

Ritchie Star¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: A Mullen| T: B Haslam| OR: 55

10/3

13-race maiden; runner-up over C&D on a couple of occasions, including when no match for Tracy Waggott's Proceeding a fortnight ago; no obvious reason as to why he shouldn't be there or thereabouts in such a modest contest.

Form: 66285-2

(10)

Macs Blessings^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Harrison Shaw⁽³⁾| T: Stef Keniry| OR: 55| CD

17/2

Led close home when justifying favouritism in a similar contest over C&D last February; was easy to back when only fifth of eight to Bugler Bob here (7f) a fortnight ago.

Form: 2200-85

(8)

Midnight In Havana²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 53| BF

5/2

Ten-race maiden (form figures over 7f at Newcastle read 334); beaten favourite on each of his last two starts, including when a close fourth to the 50-1 shot Dodgy Bob (penultimate); must enter the reckoning in such a modest contest.

Form: 43504-3

(1)

Hunters Step²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Faye McManoman⁽⁵⁾| T: N Tinkler| OR: 49| CD

4/1

Successful on his second start for Nigel Tinkler over C&D three weeks ago - keeping on well for tonight's rider Faye McManoman; 4lb higher; could have more too offer in this grade; chance.

Form: 05937-1

(4)

Don't Be Surprised¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Barry McHugh| T: S Spencer| OR: 49

7/1

11-race maiden; ran his best race for a while when narrowly beaten by Bobby Joe Leg in Class 7 handicap here (7f) 16 days ago; 1lb higher; shouldn't have any issues with this longer trip.

Form: 20080-2

(3)

Klipperty Klopp¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 47

12/1

21-race maiden; has fallen to a career low mark after finishing a plugging on 2½L fourth to Windsorlot at Wolverhampton (1m½f) 13 days ago; no thorny issues with either track or trip.

Form: 0259-74

(2)

Prince Consort^p³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: T Eaves| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 45

33/1

34-race maiden; was never on terms (80-1) in a 1m4f classified stakes at Wolverhampton on Monday; look elsewhere with confidence.

Form: 8046-08

(9)

Hey Jazzy Lady¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Phil Dennis| T: A Crook| OR: 45

150/1

12-race maiden; it's nigh impossible to identify her optimum trip (has raced between 5f and 1m2f); finished last of eleven in newly-applied blinkers here (7f) latest; makes no appeal whatsoever.

Form: 0060-00

(6)

Rebeljustforkicks^h¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: J P Sullivan| T: Paul Collins| OR: 45

80/1

Led (weakened from halfway) on C&D handicap debut (100-1) a fortnight ago; could strip fitter for that run (her first for 421-days) but it's tough to identify any other positive angles.

Form: 000/7

Forecasts

Midnight In Havana (5/2), Ritchie Star (10/3), Hunters Step (4/1), Don't Be Surprised (7/1), Macs Blessings (17/2), Decoration Of War (9/1), Klipperty Klopp (12/1), Prince Consort (33/1), Rebeljustforkicks (80/1), Hey Jazzy Lady (150/1)

A weak race in which many can be safely dismissed. Those in with a chance of winning can probably be limited to Midnight In Havana, Macs Blessings, Hunters Step, Don't Be Surprised and RITCHIE STAR. The selection is a 13-race maiden who has at least threatened to shed that unwanted status, twice coming off second best to the Tracy Waggott-trained Proceeding. Furthermore, his trainer Ben Haslam is perfectly adept at producing winners on the Tapeta at Newcastle (32-227; 14% (+£66.96)).