14:25 Newcastle

Saturday 27 June 2020

All12:1512:4513:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:40

Betfair Free Bet Streak Gosforth Park Cup Handicap

Off time: 14:28 | Winning time: 58.66s

(12)

Copper Knight^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 105| CD

5/1

Winner of this off a 12lb lower mark (2018), four-time winner since including up to Listed level. Not quite at his best last time in a Listed Doncaster event last time (5f, good) following a sound return run, smart in this grade, should run well.

Form: 7032-24

(5)

Lahore¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: B A Curtis| T: Phillip Makin| OR: 102| D

11/2

Made a good impression with this up-and-coming yard; took a Doncaster 5f handicap in fine style last time (off 6lb lower), first time at that trip since winning debut. Faces a stiffer task now (won with something to spare last time), shortlisted.

Form: 62056-1

(8)

Ornate²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Phil Dennis| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 99| D

33/1

Regular in this sort of events, 2-12 on AW, usually set the pace, won five times last year (appeared a rejuvenated sort). Both AW wins have come on Fibresand (does have a second over C&D), now had two wind ops, needed the run on return at Newmarket.

Form: 30768-0

(4)

Caspian Prince^t¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: M Appleby| OR: 98| CD

28/1

C&D winner (out-and-out front runner) but with a losing sequence that is starting to build (now stands at 17). Sixth to Lahore on return to GB (had been racing in Dubai) over 5f last time, needs some help from the handicapper to get back on track.

Form: 7-24346

(9)

Lord Riddiford¹⁰⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 93| D

16/1

Versatile sort at home on turf/AW (three wins on each), goes particularly well at Chelmsford on synthetics. Cashed-in on a falling mark to win there in March (5f, slow), career-best performance, had the run of race (be lucky to do so here).

Form: 0270-61

(1)

Outrage^b⁴⁰⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-11| J: David Egan| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 92| CD

50/1

Four of last five wins have come over C&D albeit at a slightly lower level; looked to have gone off the boil when last seen on turf at York (good/firm). 0-7 in this grade he looks to face a stiff task taking into account he's 0-2 off long absences.

Form: 2/14490-

(10)

Fool For You⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 91| CD

13/2

Last year's winner (beat Copper Knight ¾L), rated 3lb higher now having never quite managed to match that form since. Tuned up for this with a respectable fourth (Ayr Listed fillies event) over 5f, may well enjoy a return to this scenario.

Form: 31900-4

(7)

Encore d'Or¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 8-9| J: P J McDonald| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 90| CD

16/1

Well behind Fool For You in this last year, has a C&D win to his name, can be useful at sprint trips on his day. Didn't quite spark last year, disappointed last time after producing a promising 2020 reappearance, well weighted if finding some zip.

Form: 0975-67

(11)

Magical Spirit¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Megan Nicholls⁽³⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 90| C| D

9/2

Form figures of 212 here over 6f (has won twice over 5f at Beverley, stiff finish suits). Won well there last time (poor start forcing a change of tactics), travelled well into the race, settled issue in a few strides, up 8lb/into a higher grade.

Form: 16512-1

(6)

El Hombre¹¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 90| C| D

14/1

Numerous efforts here (1-8), the win coming in a maiden early in his career, useful in sprint handicaps since then. Took advantage of a slip in the weights to win off 2lb lower at Wolverhampton (6.1f) when last seen, little more needed on balance.

Form: 33-4541

(3)

Venturous³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-8| J: Hollie Doyle| T: T D Barron| OR: 89| CD

5/1

C&D winner in January (off 2lb lower), enjoyed coming off a strong pace (also likely today). Bounced back from a poor turf effort when running a sound second at Haydock earlier in week, should run well if he can back-up quickly (has done in past).

Form: 270-172

(2)

Cowboy Soldier¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: S De Sousa| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 88| CD

12/1

C&D novice winner on his only visit, winner of two 5f handicaps since. Not seen to best effect at Doncaster (5f, good) last time behind Lahore (attracted support, needed the run), eased 2lb, looks of interest on the back of that effort.

Form: 29/169-8

Forecasts

Magical Spirit (9/2), Venturous (5/1), Copper Knight (5/1), Lahore (11/2), Fool For You (13/2), Cowboy Soldier (12/1), El Hombre (14/1), Lord Riddiford (16/1), Encore d'Or (16/1), Caspian Prince (28/1), Ornate (33/1), Outrage (50/1)

An intriguing contest with some seasoned handicappers taking on one or two progressive types. Fool For You may struggle to repeat her victory of last year where she held off Copper Knight a previous winner who now has to concede weight to the entire field. The key to this race may well be the pace (expected to be fast) which should be set by the likes of Ornate and Caspian Prince. That ought to suit LAHORE down to the ground as he bids to follow up his Doncaster win although don’t write off Cowboy Soldier out of that same contest. The progressive Magical Spirit who has an impressive 212 6f record here will also appreciate that fast pace although he has to prove himself at this level.