16:15 Newcastle

Wednesday 19 February 2020

All14:0514:3515:1015:4016:1516:50

Bombardier Golden Beer Handicap

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 1m 40.35s

(6)

Humbert^p,t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Shane Gray| T: D O'Meara| OR: 87| CD

5/1

10lb lower than when winning the Cl 2 Seaton Delaval Handicap over C&D in June 2018; has been campaigned over a longer trip (1m2f) in more recent times, finishing third of seven to El Ghazwani at Lingfield 19 days ago; noteworthy.

Form: 8003-43

(7)

Trevithick²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: D C Costello| T: B Smart| OR: 85| CD

11/1

Dual C&D winner who sits on his last winning mark; hasn't been seeing out his races of late (usually races prominently); started 25-1 when fourth of six to Rangali Island at Kempton (1m) three weeks ago - closely matched with Merchant Of Venice.

Form: 3688-54

(3)

Merchant Of Venice²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 82| BF| CD

2/1

Won three on the spin last winter, including a C&D novice; consistent in three starts since mid-December (7f-1m) without necessarily appearing to be a ready-made future winner (closely matched with Trevithick); fractionally too high in the handicap?

Form: 0375-43

(8)

First Response^t¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs L Stubbs| OR: 80| BF| CD

4/1

Boasts a 50% C&D strike-rate (2-4); 3lb higher than when beating Paparazzi by 1¼L (Vive La Difference fifth) on his penultimate start; was set too much to do when a beaten favourite behind the runaway winner Red Bond here next time; chance.

Form: 772-414

(5)

Masham Star¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 80| CD

7/1

Generally disappointing since returning from wind surgery (has finished last on five of six starts); the handicapper is showing some leniency as a result and he fared slightly better (fifth) at Wolverhampton (1m1½f) eleven days ago.

Form: 0006-55

(1)

Tangled^h¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: K Tutty| OR: 78

20/1

Useful juvenile for Richard Hannon; hasn't won since landing the Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes at York (6f, good to soft) in August 2017; raced freely (and weakened quickly) over C&D on recent return from an 84-day break.

Form: 60829-0

(4)

Paparazzi¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: T Eaves| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 77| CD

8/1

His Newcastle form figures since January 2019 read 1212822; was returning from a six-month absence when finishing 1¼L second to First Response over C&D on his penultimate start (now 3lb better off); set too much to do latest; there or thereabouts..

Form: 7828-22

(2)

Vive La Difference^b¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 76| CD

12/1

In fine fettle during November & December, winning twice over C&D (Class 5); the form of his latest win is solid (boosted since); has gone off the boil more latterly and would appear to have work to do with First Response and Paparazzi.

Form: 8211-55

Forecasts

Merchant Of Venice (2/1), First Response (4/1), Humbert (5/1), Masham Star (7/1), Paparazzi (8/1), Trevithick (11/1), Vive La Difference (12/1), Tangled (20/1)

A low draw can often prove disadvantageous over the straight mile at Newcastle (admittedly more pronounced in fields of 10+ runners) and those in the outer berths here don't make a great deal of appeal. Meanwhile, First Response (8), PAPARAZZI (4) and Vive La Difference (2) have interwoven C&D form lines in an otherwise difficult looking Class 4 handicap. For small-stakes, and with a 3lb weights sway, the token advice is to side with the ultra-consistent Tracy Waggott-trained runner who may just strip fitter than when beaten by First Response on his return to action in mid-January.