17:20 Newcastle

Tuesday 11 February 2020

All16:2016:5017:2017:5018:2018:5019:2019:50

Bombardier 'March To Your Own Drum' Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:21 | Winning time: 1m 45.13s

(8)

Elusive Heights^p1¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: Paula Muir| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 67| D

10/3

Almost took advantage of an ease in grade (first run in a Class 6) when caught deep inside the final half furlong by Channel Packet (Bawaader third) over C&D 11 days ago; sets the standard; cheekpieces are introduced seeking an edge.

Form: 5/993-72

(3)

Inner Circle^p³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Stefano Cherchi⁽³⁾| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 65

14/1

Won a 7½f Beverley claimer (good to soft) for Roger Fell in August 2019; essentially modest in five starts since for Mark Loughnane; is easing in the weights to a more workable mark.

Form: 18686-6

(1)

Lady Alavesa^p⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: C J MacRedmond⁽⁵⁾| T: M Herrington| OR: 64| D

5/2

Won four times (7f-1m) for her previous handler Gay Kelleway; clear second best to Champagne Rules over C&D last week; should go well under 5lb claimer Cian MacRedmond.

Form: 288-682

(5)

Happy Face^p,t⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Ben Sanderson| T: J Tuite| OR: 63

7/1

Ex-Hugo Palmer; a reasonably consistent albeit moderate seven-race maiden; started 22-1 when caught close home by Fair Star at Wolverhampton (1m1½f novice) last week; makes her first start in a handicap.

Form: 354-342

(7)

Bawaader¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Toby Eley⁽³⁾| T: D Thompson| OR: 62

11/2

Ex-Ed Dunlop; sold for £6,000 in September 2019; 50-1 when hitting the frame (behind Elusive Heights) on his first start for the Darlington-based handler David Thompson over C&D 11 days ago.

Form: 6550-3

(6)

Betty Grable¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Rhona Pindar⁽³⁾| T: W Storey| OR: 58| CD

16/1

Ultra-consistent on turf last summer (1m-1m4f) and sits plenty high enough in the weights as a result; not at her best in two starts on the AW in 2020 (raced freely over 7f latest).

Form: 2152-96

(4)

Tagur^p²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Zak Wheatley| T: K A Ryan| OR: 58| BF| D

4/1

Pacy front-runner; well handicapped on form from late 2018 but failed to convert a decent opportunity (3-1f) at Southwell (1m) on New Year's Day; place claims most realistic.

Form: 0652-35

(2)

Zeshov¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: Harry Russell⁽³⁾| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 56| D

12/1

Seven wins on turf (from 49 starts) but remains an AW maiden (0-10); has eased in the weights since finishing a never nearer sixth of ten (80-1) to Curfewed over C&D in January.

Form: 5267-66

Forecasts

Lady Alavesa (5/2), Elusive Heights (10/3), Tagur (4/1), Bawaader (11/2), Happy Face (7/1), Zeshov (12/1), Inner Circle (14/1), Betty Grable (16/1)

Lady Alavesa ran her best race for some considerable time when finishing second over C&D last week, and should go close under the 5lb claimer Cian MacRedmond if in the same frame of mind. However, there's surely a race to be won in this grade (Class 6) with the frustrating ELUSIVE HEIGHTS. Roger Fell's seven-year-old was worn down close home over C&D recently and is fully expected to confirm placings with Bawaader (third). Of the remainder, both Happy Face and Tagur hold a realistic place chance.