16:15 Newcastle

Friday 5 February 2021

All16:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:15

Betway Casino Handicap

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 2m 8.82s

(8)

Union Spirit^p⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: P W Chapple-Hyam| OR: 74| D

11/2

Off 10 weeks but back on track when fourth of 13 in handicap at Lingfield (10f, AW, 10/1) 7 days ago. Makes tapeta debut and this dual 1m2f winner is worth considering.

Form: 18529-4

(10)

Lord Halifax^t⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 73

9/2

In excellent form since undergoing wind op, second of 11 in handicap at Wolverhampton (12.2f, 7/2) 41 days ago when brought very wide to challenge. Form has been franked, so expected to be bang there.

Form: 590922-

(11)

Champagne Rules³³²

Age: 10| Weight: 9-6| J: Phil Dennis| T: Mrs S A Watt| OR: 73| C| D

28/1

Course winner but off the track since modest eighth in 1m handicap here 11 months ago. Effective at this longer trip but lack of a recent run is a worry.

Form: 83/5218-

(7)

I Can't Remember¹¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Billy Garritty⁽⁵⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 71| C

12/1

Scored over 1m4f here in September but a moody sort and came in last of 12 over C&D when last seen out 112 days ago. Could easily bounce back after his break but others still appeal more.

Form: 503170-

(4)

Starfighter²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: K Stott| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 68| D

7/1

Arrives in decent nick but not the easiest of rides, eyeshields/blinkered when sixth of 12 in handicap (13/2) at Lingfield (10f) 24 days ago. Only one win from 24 starts.

Form: 4655-66

(3)

Bobba Tee⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: Oliver Stammers⁽⁵⁾| T: L A Mullaney| OR: 67| C

17/2

Sole success came over 1m4f here in September and he returned to best when second at this track 8 days ago, worn down only late. Merits consideration off same mark with able 5 lb claimer again up.

Form: 51626-2

(1)

My Boy Lewis¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Jason Hart| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 65

28/1

Posted two good placed efforts over 1m here but unreliable sort who came in last of 6 on fibresand bow at Southwell (8.1f) 19 days ago. Unproven at this trip too so others more persuasive.

Form: 10032-6

(6)

Calculus^b¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Frederick Larson⁽⁷⁾| T: L Egerton| OR: 64

18/1

Blinkered and sent off 50/1 for handicap bow but much improved on recent efforts when second of 9 at Southwell (12.1f) 16 days ago. In the mix if headgear works the oracle for a second time.

Form: 2685-52

(5)

Monsaraz¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Rossa Ryan| T: D Loughnane| OR: 63| D

5/2

Cashed in on reduced mark on first run since leaving James Given when landing 9.5f handicap (7/1) at Wolverhampton 18 days ago. Yard going really well so he remains of interest.

Form: 00589-1

(2)

First Dance¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: J P Sullivan| T: T P Tate| OR: 62| D

22/1

Scorer on tapeta at Wolverhampton in October and recoreded good fourth there (9.5f, 18/1) 18 days ago. Solid claims to make the frame once more off 2 lb lower mark this time.

Form: 617/9-34

(9)

Monash^h⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: G Lee| T: R Menzies| OR: 61

11/1

Has found his form for new yard and arrives on back of good second of 9 in 1m4f handicap here 8 days ago. On same mark here so can give another good account.

Form: 7756-22

Forecasts

Monsaraz (5/2), Lord Halifax (9/2), Union Spirit (11/2), Starfighter (7/1), Bobba Tee (17/2), Monash (11/1), I Can't Remember (12/1), Calculus (18/1), First Dance (22/1), My Boy Lewis (28/1), Champagne Rules (28/1)

LORD HALIFAX is back on top of his game after a wind op so looks the way to go with his recent Wolverhampton second also worthy of being marked up given he made his challenge very wide. Monsaraz remains on a workable mark for his new yard despite going up 4 lb for his Wolverhampton success so is feared most, although in-form Bobba Tee and tapeta-debutant Union Spirit need considering too.