19:15 Newcastle

Tuesday 10 March 2020

All16:4017:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Bombardier Golden Beer Handicap

Off time: 19:20 | Winning time: 1m 41.54s

(2)

Reaver²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: S A Gray| T: J Hodge| OR: 62| DWS

13/2

Mark continues to fall, but at present he is showing no signs of taking advantage of that. Never looked dangerous on either start (over 7f at this track) this year. Eased slightly in grade but can be considered a big outsider.

Form: 353/0-47

(3)

Zeshov¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 59| CD

9/1

Couldn't follow up recent C&D win two starts ago when only fifth at Wolverhampton (1m1f; standard). Doesn't look as attractively handicapped as he did a month or so ago. Looks vulnerable to less exposed sorts but could sneak into the frame at best.

Form: 67-6615

(12)

Escape Clause¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: D C Costello| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 56

66/1

Been a long time since he showed any considerable promise. Failed to make any impression on return from 13 months off when ninth of 10 at Southwell (1m; standard). 6lb lower now, but abnormal improvement required to see him play a part.

Form: 5200/8-9

(1)

Palazzo^p,t¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 56| D

11/2

Possesses easily the most likeable profile of any in this race, given he has recent winning form t his name and looks consistent. 5lb rise seems fair for last time out success, given the front pair drew clear of the field. The one to beat.

Form: 4-12431

(8)

Ritchie Star³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Harrison Shaw⁽³⁾| T: B Haslam| OR: 55

9/2

Winless in 14 starts, but has gone close here on two separate occasions within the last six months. Failed to back up second-placed effort on his penultimate start when down the field most recently, but is dangerous to rule out completely.

Form: 6285-29

(4)

Red Dragoness¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Nick Barratt-Atkin⁽⁷⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 55

33/1

Yet to match the promise under this code that she has shown in NH bumpers. Makes handicap debut at a low level, but will need to improve considerably on what she has shown so far. Stronger alternatives in against her.

Form: 670

(9)

Short Head¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: S G West| OR: 54

40/1

Lightly raced but difficult to be enthusiastic about him given how poorly he ran on debut for this yard at Wolverhampton (1m; standard) last month (sent off 100-1). Marked improvement required, and so he is readily opposed.

Form: 47068/0

(10)

Dragons Will Rise¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: B A Curtis| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 49

11/8

Much more like it when third on his return from a short break over C&D recently. Needs to show he can back that up, but a major player if doing so off just a 1lb higher mark.

Form: 0/9680-3

(6)

Dixieland^b1,t1⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Phil Dennis| T: L Bailey| OR: 45

25/1

Maiden whose losing streak is really starting to build up now. Has beaten only one home in three starts this year. Mark has dropped 30lb since his first handicap start. First-time blinkers need to work miracles to give him any sort of chance.

Form: 680-988

(7)

Gun Case^p¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: Barry McHugh| T: A C Whillans| OR: 45| C

20/1

19lb below last winning mark which came all the way back in August 2018 over 7f at this track. Out of form in the main since then, and he failed to reproduce encouraging effort on his penultimate start when down the field recently. Best watched.

Form: 0097-40

(11)

Circuit³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: Rhona Pindar⁽⁷⁾| T: W Storey| OR: 45

33/1

12-race maiden and her profile suggests even connections are unsure of her best trip (ran in races from 6f-1m2f). Failed to beat a single rival over C&D when last seen in January. Dropped 2lb since and others seem more compelling.

Form: 0976-70

(5)

Rebeljustforkicks^h⁵

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

22/1

Failed to show any real promise in six-race career so far. Yet to make any impact since switched to handicaps in three starts this year, and as such she is now on a basement mark. Turned out quickly again after finishing seventh here last Thursday.

Form: 000/777

Forecasts

Dragons Will Rise (11/8), Ritchie Star (9/2), Palazzo (11/2), Reaver (13/2), Zeshov (9/1), Gun Case (20/1), Rebeljustforkicks (22/1), Dixieland (25/1), Circuit (33/1), Red Dragoness (33/1), Short Head (40/1), Escape Clause (66/1)

A particularly low-grade affair with ready preference for PALAZZO who bounced back to winning ways over this trip at Southwell last time out. The front two drew over five-length clear of the field then, so a 5lb rise doesn't seem harsh and he has a progressive profile which can't be said for many of his rivals. The main danger to the selection looks to be Dragons Will Rise who posted a career-best effort to finish third over C&D last month. He needs to back that up, but if able to do so he will be thereabouts. Despite his inconsistent record, Ritchie Star has proved he has the ability with two C&D runner-up efforts to his name and can make the frame once again.