20:30 Newcastle

Thursday 5 March 2020

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

Heed Your Hunch At Betway Handicap

Off time: 20:31 | Winning time: 59.14s

(6)

Archimedes^p,t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Phil Dennis| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 65| CD

25/1

Returned from a break and wind op to finish last of six at Southwell (5f) two weeks ago. 2lb drop allows him to run in this Class 6 and his last two runs in this grade were wins. Still fairly handicapped on the pick of his form and not dismissed.

Form: 10280-6

(4)

Marietta Robusti¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Paula Muir⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 63| D

20/1

Won at Haydock in August off this mark but form tailed off after that. Returned from a break to finish well beaten on two starts. Has never shown her best here and is best watched until signs of a revival.

Form: 1556-77

(9)

Jorvik Prince^p¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Harrison Shaw⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 62| D

12/1

Victorious in two of his first three starts for this yard but only managed sixth on his last two efforts at Southwell and Wolverhampton. Cheekpieces return for a third time (hasn't ran well with them previously) and hard to know what to expect.

Form: 0-15166

(3)

Arcavallo¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: T Eaves| T: M Dods| OR: 60| D

11/2

Last successful off 21lb higher mark at Pontefract (6f) in August 2018. Form has mostly been downhill since then and he hasn't looked like arresting the decline recently. Beaten 5¼L into sixth when too keen last time over C&D. Others preferred.

Form: 0098-76

(7)

Longroom¹¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 59| D

7/2

Managed to win off 22lb higher at Ayr in August 2018, his last win. Not in that form since but didn't disgrace himself towards the end of last year and now begins life well handicapped for a new yard. Interesting if betting speaks positively.

Form: 447366-

(8)

Van Gerwen¹³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: K Stott| T: P T Midgley| OR: 59| BF| D

12/1

Ran well at Nottingham (5f) on stable debut in October but finished last at Catterick (6f) just three days later and not seen since. Another who is well handicapped on his best form but his 0-9 AW record doesn't inspire confidence.

Form: 760829-

(10)

Jeffrey Harris⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Faye McManoman⁽⁵⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 58| BF| CD

9/2

Dual course winner (6f/5f) in the autumn and ran well when second over C&D last time, beaten 1¼L. Has a tendency of starting slowly but more than capable of being involved if breaking on terms.

Form: 2115-42

(5)

Qaaraat^p⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 56| CD

9/2

Back on the same mark as when scoring here over C&D in November. Has proved he remains competitive from it too, if recent form is anything to go by. Strike rate not great, but would very much merit each-way consideration.

Form: 422357

(1)

Patrick¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-10| J: Barry McHugh| T: P T Midgley| OR: 54| C| D

7/1

Narrowly prevailed here (6f) last time after travelling strongly into contention a furlong out. Up just 2lb which leaves him still very well handicapped on his peak efforts if able to reproduce that form with the drop in trip a positive move.

Form: 5645-01

(11)

Rockley Point^b⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: A Mullen| T: K Scott| OR: 51| CD

10/1

Made just about all to win over C&D three starts ago off 2lb lower. Finished last just five days later but his third last time (6f) was more like it. Doesn't win very often these days and unlikely to be able to see his rivals from the front again.

Form: 45210-3

(2)

Encoded²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-2| J: J P Sullivan| T: Miss L C Siddall| OR: 45| CD

20/1

Just one win in 29 starts and recent form is generally moderate. Dropping slowly in the weights but still likely to struggle and would be a surprise winner.

Form: 080-538

Forecasts

Longroom (7/2), Qaaraat (9/2), Jeffrey Harris (9/2), Arcavallo (11/2), Patrick (7/1), Rockley Point (10/1), Van Gerwen (12/1), Jorvik Prince (12/1), Marietta Robusti (20/1), Encoded (20/1), Archimedes (25/1)

The Midgley-trained pair of Longroom, who makes his first start for the yard, and Patrick are both of interest. The last named travelled well when winning over 6f here recently and should be bang there if in the same form. Jeffrey Harris is another who is more than capable in a race like this if overcoming his tendency to miss the break but the selection is ARCHIMEDES. He blew away the cobwebs after a break and wind-op at Southwell recently and this drop into Class 6 company should see him go close.