15:20 Newcastle

Thursday 4 June 2020

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:4018:15

Betway Handicap

Off time: 15:22 | Winning time: 1m 11.9s

(2)

Jerbourg²⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 70

10/1

Had three runs on turf last August/September, all with some ease in the ground. Showed some promise at Haydock in the middle of those three outings. Since gelded. Handicapper has taken few chances with this initial mark, but merits a market check.

Form: 763-

(9)

Order Of St John²²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mulrennan| T: Phillip Makin| OR: 70| BF

4/1

Runner-up in a couple of novice events last season (both 6f and on soft/heavy) and showed promise on several occasions. Runner-up from today's mark in nursery company on his final start at two. Since gelded and open to improvement for new trainer.

Form: 84272-

(5)

Leoch¹⁹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 70

9/1

Best of three runs as a juvenile was on debut at Hamilton (6f, soft) in September, when under 2L second. Well held on both subsequent runs. Needs to improve to defy this initial mark, but in good hands and a market check looks prudent.

Form: 258-

(6)

Nibras Shadow²²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: B A Curtis| T: I Mohammed| OR: 70

8/1

Not devoid of promise in two of her three runs last season (all 7f, the most recent being over C&D), but never threatened. Drops in trip for handicap debut. Half-sister to a dual Tapeta winner, and no surprise to see her get involved.

Form: 505-

(3)

My Kinda Day³²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 69WS

6/1

Posted three promising efforts from four turf runs last year, all over 5f/6f. Gelded and also had wind surgery since last seen 11-months ago. Makes AW debut after 2lb drop and remains of interest.

Form: 7236-

(12)

Star Of St James²⁶⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Connor Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 69

18/1

Went close in a Wetherby maiden (5½f, good to firm) just over a year ago, but couldn't build on that second start in three further runs. Gelded since last seen in September and resumes from more realistic mark with good claimer up. Market check.

Form: 62465-

(8)

Sunset Breeze²³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 69

5/1

Went close on his second start last year, when ½L second in a 7f Wolverhampton (Tapeta) novice event. Gelded since respectable run at Brighton (6f, soft) in October and is very interesting on his handicap debut from this mark.

Form: 422-

(7)

Restless Endeavour²⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S H James| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 69

40/1

Went close on debut at Chelmsford, before being brought out just five days later and winning at Kempton (7f, Polytrack) last August, when with Jamie Osborne. Held on sole nursery start, when 2lb higher, so bit to prove on stable/seasonal debut.

Form: 2139-

(4)

Mecca's Hot Steps²⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 68| BF

28/1

Placed in half of her six starts last season (all 5f/turf) but unable to get her nose in front. Drops 2lb and goes up in trip for this reappearance, but will need to have found a bit of improvement. Each-way claims.

Form: 423425-

(1)

Rogue Tide⁹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S De Sousa| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 68

13/2

Showed some ability in a couple of runs on Polytrack (both 6f) in February. Closely related to course winner Devil's Angel (runs in the 2.45). Needs improvement from this initial mark, but open to that and with top pilot up he merits consideration.

Form: 33

(10)

Solemn Pledge²⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 68| D

18/1

Showed significant improvement to win on her nursery debut (6f, good; fourth start) last season. Found wanting when highly tried next time. Returns 7lb higher than her win, but unexposed and no surprise to see her have a say.

Form: 30310-

(11)

Spirit Of Sahara²³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Hart| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 68

16/1

Runner-up on Dundalk's Polytrack (7f) on his nursery debut last October, when 2lb lower and with Joseph O'Brien. Gelded and has changed stables since then, and needs to find some improvement to challenge from 1lb out of the handicap.

Form: 06025-

Forecasts

Order Of St John (4/1), Sunset Breeze (5/1), My Kinda Day (6/1), Rogue Tide (13/2), Nibras Shadow (8/1), Leoch (9/1), Jerbourg (10/1), Spirit Of Sahara (16/1), Star Of St James (18/1), Solemn Pledge (18/1), Mecca's Hot Steps (28/1), Restless Endeavour (40/1)

The market looks well worth monitoring here, with so many having their first run for some time. The one with most recent racecourse experience is ROGUE TIDE, who could act well on this surface and looks capable of improving now entering handicaps. Sunset Breeze looks a probable danger, while both Richard Fahey-trained runners, My Kinda Day and Star Of St James, along with Solemn Pledge and Nibras Shadow are of interest.