15:25 Newcastle

Tuesday 21 December 2021

All14:2514:5515:2516:0016:3017:0017:30

Betway Novice Stakes

Off time: 15:28 | Winning time: 1m 13.93s

(1)

Blackjack²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: D Swift| T: A D Brown| CD

8/1

50/1, won 6-runner minor event at this C&D on his belated debut 21 days ago by 1½l from Canzone. More is needed if he's to follow up under a 6 lb penalty, though.

Form: 1

(2)

Alhammaam^h,t¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Marco Ghiani| T: S C Williams| OR: 76

4/5

Fair maiden. Hooded for 1st time, excellent second of 8 in handicap at Chelmsford City (7f) 19 days ago. Makes tapeta debut, and the one to beat on form.

Form: 2532

(7)

Canzone²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: G Lee| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 62

10/1

Fair gelding. 9/2, respectable 1½l second of 6 to Blackjack in minor event at this C&D 21 days ago. In the mix.

Form: 388642

(9)

Clear Angel^h1⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P Mulrennan| T: S Corbett

14/1

Off 16 months on first run since leaving Andre Fabre when never-dangerous eighth of 11 in minor event at this C&D 43 days ago. Hooded for 1st time now with more needed.

Form: 6-8

(6)

Due A Win^p1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Gianluca Sanna⁽⁷⁾| T: B Smart| OR: 49

10/1

Modest gelding. 9/2, respectable seventh of 13 in handicap at this course (5f) 21 days ago. Cheekpieces on for 1st time with work to do.

Form: 260347

(5)

The Last Knight⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Zak Wheatley⁽⁷⁾| T: Paul Collins| OR: 55

100/1

100/1 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, last of 10 in claimer at Dundalk (6f) 48 days ago on his final run for Paul Stafford. Big step forward is required on his tapeta debut.

Form: 4-06900

(4)

Tistaahal¹¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 69

28/1

Thrice-raced maiden. Last of 8 in maiden at Lingfield (5f, AW) on his final run for Marcus Tregoning. Off 118 days with fair bit more required on his yard bow.

Form: 7-38

(8)

Forever's Lady⁸⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: T Eaves| T: G R Oldroyd

4/1

Twice-raced maiden. First run since leaving Ann Duffield when fourth of 10 in minor event at this C&D (22/1) 88 days ago, nearest finish. Considered.

Form: 8-4

Non-Runners

(3)

Elisheva

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: Miss T Jackson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Alhammaam (4/5), Forever's Lady (4/1), Blackjack (8/1), Due A Win (10/1), Canzone (10/1), Clear Angel (14/1), Tistaahal (28/1), Elisheva (50/1), The Last Knight (100/1)

ALHAMMAAM holds a clear edge on form and Stuart Williams' fair gelding looks to have been found an excellent opportunity to go one better than his recent Chelmsford City second. C&D runner-up Canzone appeals as the one to chase him home with Forever's Lady and Blackjack looking set to fight it out for minor honours.