16:55 Newcastle

Saturday 15 February 2020

All16:5517:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Betway Handicap

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 2m 41.98s

(7)

Ice Pyramid²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: B A Curtis| T: P A Kirby| OR: 85| BF| CD

1/2

Won impressively by 5L over C&D on handicap debut last month, before suffering a narrow defeat at Lingfield (1m4f) eight days later with a 5lb penalty. That may have come too soon but a return to this venue should suit 10lb above his winning mark.

Form: 2/33-12

(3)

Groveman¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: P J McDonald| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 82| D

7/1

Ran moderately in two above-average hurdles this winter but his last Flat start was a narrow defeat off 4lb lower in the Cumberland Plate (1m3f) in June. This is less competitive and has been placed on three of his four AW starts. Not dismissed.

Form: 2335/52-

(4)

Lady Camelot¹⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Nick Barratt-Atkin⁽⁷⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 77

66/1

7f winner as a 2yo in Ireland and won a three-runner maiden hurdle (2m4½f) last March. Well beaten in her three subsequent runs, including on the Flat the last twice, beaten a total of 41L. Returns from six-months off and is best watched.

Form: 3422/87-

(5)

Iconic Belle²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Phil Dennis| T: P A Kirby| OR: 75

14/1

Fairly consistent performer who has ran similar races when making the frame on her last three starts, all at Wolverhampton (all 1m6f). Has won over 1m2f in the past so should cope with the drop in trip and has place claims once again.

Form: 2392-33

(1)

Dieu Benisse⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: D C Costello| T: P A Kirby| OR: 75

50/1

Novice hurdle winner for Nicky Henderson last May, before joining this yard for £20,000. Form has been regressive in five starts since over hurdles and now returns to the Flat for the first time since 2016. Others preferred.

Form: 3254/

(6)

Lopes Dancer²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 8-13| J: Harry Russell⁽⁷⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 74| BF| CD

9/2

Four-time course winner who is now only 1lb above his last winning mark, over C&D in September. Third here last time after attempting to make all but down another 2lb and probably won't be far away given his good record at this track.

Form: 61364-3

(2)

Sioux Frontier³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Jamie Gormley| T: I Jardine| OR: 68| D

12/1

Now 10lb better off with Ice Pyramid for an 11L defeat last time, his first for four months. Back off his last winning mark but will need to bounce back to his best to reverse the form with the top weight.

Form: 33470-5

Forecasts

Ice Pyramid (1/2), Lopes Dancer (9/2), Groveman (7/1), Sioux Frontier (12/1), Iconic Belle (14/1), Dieu Benisse (50/1), Lady Camelot (66/1)

Ice Pyramid hacked up on his C&D handicap debut two starts ago before being narrowly denied shortly afterwards at Lingfield. A combination of just an eight day gap and different type of track there may not have suited, however things will be harder with his full 10lb rise now having kicked in. GROVEMAN has been outclassed on his last two hurdles runs but ran a blinder when last seen on the Flat at Carlisle and this contest is easier again and is the pick to land the spoils. Lopes Dancer has a good record here and shouldn't be far away.