17:10 Newcastle

Friday 28 February 2020

All17:1017:4518:1518:4519:1519:45

Betway Novice Stakes

Off time: 17:18 | Winning time: 2m 10.30s

(9)

Caius Marcius¹²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: G Lee| T: N G Richards

13/2

Prolific National Hunt winner at around 2m (BHA rating 147 over fences) who tries this code for the first time. Should be fine over this trip, but not seen since October and doesn't have the best record fresh. Probably one to watch.

Form:

(1)

Desert Dawn²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Cam Hardie| T: B Ellison

12/1

Held on debut in a bumper here (AW) in January, when sent off favourite, but not without showing some promise. Switched to this code at Wolverhampton (1m1f) last time and was beaten just over 4L. Should be competitive.

Form: 4

(2)

Maharashtra²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Phil Dennis| T: M Herrington

50/1

Well held in a couple of bumpers when there was some cut in the ground, prior to the turn of the year. 200-1 and over 7L fifth of nine on his AW Flat debut at Wolverhampton earlier in the month. Others make more appeal.

Form: 5

(6)

Sea Me Win⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Harry Russell⁽⁷⁾| T: B EllisonWS

12/1

Another who began in a bumper (beaten a long way at Carlisle in November), before switching to this code, where he has also been comfortably held in both starts. Since had wind surgery, but can only take a watching brief.

Form: 6-5

(8)

Shanghai City

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: S H James| T: Grant Tuer

18/1

20,000gns yearling. Half-brother to four winners from 6f-1m, out an unplaced maiden. Trainer is 11% with 4yos and upwards on AW over past five seasons, but surely this gelding is another one to watch on his racecourse debut.

Form:

(5)

Rgeebee³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Shane Gray| T: D O'Meara

66/1

Two starts at Wolverhampton so far, being last of eight, beaten 23L on debut and then beating just one home (albeit showing some improvement) last time. Much more needed.

Form: 8-0

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 80p in the pound

Non-Runners

(4)

Fair Star²⁵

Weight: 9-9| Age: 4

T: B Ellison J: Ben Robinson

(3)

Salad Days¹⁷

Weight: 9-2| Age: 4

T: Miss Tracy Waggott J: Non Runner

(7)

Top Power¹¹⁹

Weight: 9-2| Age: 4

T: A M Balding J: S De Sousa

Forecasts

Top Power (1/4), Fair Star (3/1), Caius Marcius (13/2), Sea Me Win (12/1), Desert Dawn (12/1), Shanghai City (18/1), Maharashtra (50/1), Rgeebee (66/1), Salad Days (100/1)

Fair Star arrives in good form and should make a bold bid under his penalty. However, he will do well to successfully concede that weight to TOP POWER. Admittedly, Andrew Balding's gelding hasn't yet been at his best when fresh, but if he produces anything like the level of form he was showing in the autumn, he should be too good. Desert Dawn could come out next best.