18:30 Newcastle

Thursday 5 March 2020

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

Betway Casino Handicap

Off time: 18:30 | Winning time: 1m 12.03s

(2)

Northgate Lad⁹⁰²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 87| C

16/1

Off the track for 30 months; won off a mark of 90 here (7f) shortly before his absence and although he returns off 87 now, he's probably best watched to see if he retains that level ability after such a break, unless there is market support.

Form: 402104/

(1)

Glenamoy Lad^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: J Fanning| T: M Wigham| OR: 86| CD

7/2

Form figures at this track of 1192. Returned to form last time over C&D, beaten 1¾L into second. Eased 1lb for that and is competitively handicapped under conditions that he's thrived under before. Shortlisted.

Form: 76609-2

(3)

Equiano Springs¹³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: J P Sullivan| T: T P Tate| OR: 84| CD

6/1

Another with a good record here (4/9). Won three times in 2019, including two runs back at Newmarket (6f). Ran poorly here when last seen and needs to return tip-top form off a career-high mark.

Form: 454010-

(7)

Mia Mento²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: J Mitchell| T: P W Chapple-Hyam| OR: 83| D

11/4

Made a winning debut at Leopardstown (6f) and was highly-tried after as a result. Ran well on GB/stable debut over C&D recently, finishing fourth after being hampered at a crucial stage. Should be in the mix if building on that.

Form: 3/7647-4

(4)

Buccaneers Vault¹⁶⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: K Stott| T: P T Midgley| OR: 75| BF| CD

16/1

Ended 2019 in good form with two victories on turf before finishing third over C&D. Returns 8lb higher in a better grade and, although he won on debut in 2014, hasn't won after break since. Likely to benefit from the outing.

Form: 755113-

(6)

I Know How^b¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-6| J: Cam Hardie| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 69| CD

5/2

Thriving in recent months and posted a career-best effort when winning by 2L over C&D 19 days ago. Travelled well that day and kept on strongly and, despite a 6lb rise, is hard to rule out given his recent form.

Form: 18421-1

(5)

Indian Sounds¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: D Fentiman| T: P T Midgley| OR: 67| D

9/1

Dropped 21lb with previous yard during 2019 but arrested the decline on stable debut last time when second to I Know How, beaten 2L. Is now 5lb better off with that rival and still well handicapped on some of his old form.

Form: 72044-2

Non-Runners

(8)

Insurplus⁷

Weight: 8-6| Age: 7

T: J S Goldie J: Phil Dennis

Forecasts

I Know How (5/2), Mia Mento (11/4), Glenamoy Lad (7/2), Equiano Springs (6/1), Indian Sounds (9/1), Insurplus (10/1), Northgate Lad (16/1), Buccaneers Vault (16/1)

Another competitive sprint handicap with several holding good claims. After being highly-tried in Ireland, MIA MENTO shaped very well despite being hampered over C&D on her first run for this yard last time and is the tentative choice if building on that effort. I Know How is thriving at present and can go well again but this presents a stiffer test whilst Indian Sounds is 5lb better off for 2L beating with him. Glenamoy Lad boasts a good record here and returned to form last time.