18:00 Newcastle

Saturday 15 February 2020

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

Bombardier Golden Beer Handicap

Off time: 18:00 | Winning time: 1m 28.20s

(8)

Muntadab³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: J P Sullivan| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 86| D

20/1

Won three races in 2018, the latest off a mark of 103. Not in the same form last year and has dropped 17lb as a result, which makes him dangerously well handicapped. Worth a second look if market is positive but ran poorly on his last two starts.

Form: 96879-9

(2)

Portledge^b²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: P J McDonald| T: J D Bethell| OR: 83| CD

4/1

Five-time C&D winner who ran fairly when third last time after a six-month break. Only 2lb above his last winning mark and should be able to make his presence felt under conditions that suit him well.

Form: 18003-3

(7)

Lorton²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Victor Santos⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 82

11/1

Hasn't won since her juvenile campaign (valuable 28-runner contest at Newmarket); absent for six months before she made late gains over 6f here last time after missing the break, beaten 3L into fifth. Extra furlong should suit and will strip fitter.

Form: 22558-5

(3)

Amplification²⁹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: M Dods| OR: 80| D

9/2

Two wins from 10 starts for Ed Dunlop before joining this yard for 27,000 gns. Runner-up on his only start last April at Redcar (7f) which was a fair effort but is now off a career-high mark and is probably best watched after 299-days off.

Form: 35146/2-

(6)

Cote d'Azur⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: J L Eyre| OR: 79| BF| D

5/1

Beaten a short head over 1m here two starts ago before running a fair sixth at Chelmsford. Is 11lb below his last winning mark but all of his wins have come between 1m and 1m2f and may find this trip on the short side.

Form: 658526-

(5)

Able Jack^p¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: B A Curtis| T: G O'Leary| OR: 76| D

3/1

Five-time AW winner who has been in good form at Dundalk in recent months, including two wins in December (1m/7f). First run for a new yard who are 2-8 with GB runners since 2016 and is still fairly handicapped on his form from 2018.

Form: 0811-53

(1)

Aegeus¹²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 74| C

5/1

Lightly raced individual who narrowly prevailed in a 1m maiden here on his final start for Amanda Perrett in October. Bought for 32,000 gns after and drops in trip for his handicap/stable debut. An interesting runner.

Form: 2321-

(4)

Lofty¹²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Phil Dennis| T: T D Barron| OR: 70| BF

16/1

Consistent until running a dismal race over 5f at Southwell in mid-October (finished last of six); off since; does handle the Fibresand and turf but this his first Tapeta outing. Showed plenty of pace so far and this stiff 7f will test him.

Form: 223236-

Forecasts

Able Jack (3/1), Portledge (4/1), Amplification (9/2), Cote d'Azur (5/1), Aegeus (5/1), Lorton (11/1), Lofty (16/1), Muntadab (20/1)

A tricky contest where a case could be made from all eight runners. The best recent form has come from ABLE JACK who has been winning and running well in defeat in some competitive races at Dundalk, and remains well handicapped on some old form (has won off 9lb higher). How the market speaks should guide to the chance of Aegeus who makes his handicap debut for a new yard whilst Portledge ran well after a break last time out and his cracking course record give hims solid claims.