19:30 Newcastle

Thursday 5 March 2020

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

Bombardier British Hopped Amber Beer Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 19:33 | Winning time: 1m 40.91s

(1)

Peruvian Summer²⁸²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: J Mitchell| T: K Frost| OR: 62

9/1

Lightly raced four-year-old who got off the mark at Southwell (7f) two runs ago. Ran poorly there last time (1m) and not seen since, suggesting that was not his true form. Has to confirm handling of Tapeta but open to improvement if ready to go.

Form: 863716-

(4)

Zarkavon^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 60| CD

3/1

Broke her maiden at the 32nd attempt three runs ago at Kempton (1m) and confirmed that no fluke a second there and a C&D win last time off 5lb higher. In the form of her life now and has to be shortlisted given her recent improvement.

Form: 70-3121

(9)

Betty Grable²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Rhona Pindar⁽⁷⁾| T: W Storey| OR: 59| CD

4/1

Had a good 2019 with four wins (including C&D) and five seconds. Back to form when second over C&D last time, beaten 1¼L. 3lb above her last win but was placed off this mark in September at Catterick and shouldn't be far away on that last effort.

Form: 152-962

(3)

Rince Deireanach²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: T Eaves| T: J J Lambe| OR: 52| D

13/2

Is 13lb below her last win in July 2018 at Leopardstown (1m2f). Best effort for a while when second over C&D to Zarkavon last time, beaten 1½L and is 4lb better off. Can't be ruled out if building on that.

Form: 2697-62

(8)

Don't Be Surprised²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Barry McHugh| T: S Spencer| OR: 51

11/4

12-race maiden who has ran his best two races in recent weeks, narrowly beaten on both occasions here (7f/1m). Needs a little more improvement to win here against some in form rivals but going the right way.

Form: 0080-22

(5)

Pearl Spectre^p¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 8-12| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: P S McEntee| OR: 51| D

9/1

On a 29-race losing spell. Return of the visor didn't help his cause at Chelmsford (7f) last time, beating only one home. Cheekpieces now return and despite being 19lb below his last, it's hard to be confident on his return efforts.

Form: 49-2569

(2)

Dixieland¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Ben Robinson| T: L Bailey| OR: 45

33/1

His course (7f) fourth in October gives him some sort of chance but his two runs for this yard have been poor, finishing last on both occasions. Would be a surprise if he made it sixteenth time lucky now.

Form: 4680-98

(6)

Rebeljustforkicks^h²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: Paul Collins| OR: 45

33/1

Showed marginal improvement over C&D last time after her first four runs were pretty poor. Still only finished seventh of ten and will need a jolt of improvement to land the spoils; is 7lb out of the handicap.

Form: 000/77

(7)

Ayr Poet²⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Phil Dennis| T: J S Goldie| OR: 45

20/1

Related to stable stars Sir Chauvelin and Euchen Glen but has been tailed off on all three starts leaving him with an official rating of 30, and 16lb out of the handicap. Faces a tough task on handicap debut.

Form: 090-

Forecasts

Don't Be Surprised (11/4), Zarkavon (3/1), Betty Grable (4/1), Rince Deireanach (13/2), Peruvian Summer (9/1), Pearl Spectre (9/1), Ayr Poet (20/1), Rebeljustforkicks (33/1), Dixieland (33/1)

Despite being a low grade affair, several of these have been in good form recently. None more so that Zarkavon whose confidence is flying high after two recent wins and she should be thereabouts once more as should Betty Grable, who returned to form last time. The narrow selection, however, is RINCE DEIREANACH. She is well handicapped on her best and returned to form with a good second to Zarkavon here last time, with whom she is now 4lb better off.