18:00 Newcastle

Thursday 5 March 2020

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

Betway Handicap

Off time: 18:01 | Winning time: 58.88s

(9)

Double Up^p,t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: P J McDonald| T: Ian Williams| OR: 81| D

9/1

Has tumbled in the weights since his days as a decent performer for Roger Varian; hasn't ran too badly on two of his last three outings, making the frame both here and Wolverhampton (6f). Now a veteran and not the most reliable but has place claims.

Form: 9703-83

(6)

Chitra¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 80| C| D

10/1

Outclassed last time. Seven-time winner at 5f/6f, including twice in late 2019 at Lingfield. Is 3lb above her last win and has struggled off mark's in the 80's in the past. Likely to give her running and shouldn't be far away.

Form: 0711-57

(7)

Foxy Forever^b,t¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 9-4| J: T Hamilton| T: M Wigham| OR: 77| D

9/1

Twice runner-up at Wolverhampton (5f) in recent starts but hasn't matched that in his last two runs. Only one win in the last two years with his best showings come off a strong gallop. Needs everything to drop right to maximise his chance.

Form: 82-5266

(1)

War Whisper¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mulrennan| T: P T Midgley| OR: 77| D

13/2

Has won off higher marks in the past and went close over C&D last time, beaten ½L. by Tathmeen. That was his first start for four months and has good claims of getting involved again off the same mark and a slightly easier race.

Form: 22007-2

(2)

Tathmeen¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 77| CD

5/1

Four-time C&D winner, including twice last month. Narrowly defeated War Whisper last time, who is 2lb better off but is in the form of his life and his chances are taken seriously under ideal conditions once more.

Form: 267131

(4)

Primo's Comet⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Phil Dennis| T: J S Goldie| OR: 74| CD

7/1

Ran a cracker when 4th in the Stewards' Cup consolation three runs ago but after a 110-day break, hasn't been in that form since. Finished last most recently but is a dual C&D winner so any market move should be noted now 5lb below his last win.

Form: 53480-7

(8)

Jonboy^b²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Raul Da Silva| T: D H Brown| OR: 72| CD

2/1

Ran well on his last two starts, winning by a nose over C&D before being touched off by Tathmeen last time. Still competitively handicapped and is shortlisted once again now 6lb better off with his re-opposing conqueror.

Form: 2570-12

(3)

Young Tiger^h¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: J P Sullivan| T: T P Tate| OR: 70| CD

8/1

Having a cracking winter, with three wins under his belt. Also a triple course winner over the years but is now 11lb above his last win due to his consistency which means a career best is required and that will be tricky in a tight heat.

Form: 123-223

Non-Runners

(5)

Aloysius Lilius¹³

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: G O'Leary J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Jonboy (2/1), Aloysius Lilius (9/2), Tathmeen (5/1), War Whisper (13/2), Primo's Comet (7/1), Young Tiger (8/1), Foxy Forever (9/1), Double Up (9/1), Chitra (10/1)

A very competitive handicap with some overlapping form lines and several in good form. After a good C&D win, ALOYSIUS LILIUS ran a cracker at Dundalk and is still seemingly improving. Tathmeen has beaten War Whisper and Jonboy over C&D in recent weeks and they should all give their running once again with the last named narrowly preferred. Chitra should appreciate this drop in grade.