16:10 Newcastle

Friday 4 February 2022

All16:1016:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:15

Betway Handicap

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 2m 16.63s

(9)

Dragons Will Rise²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: R Havlin| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 77| CD

15/8

Three wins from 5 runs last year. 16/5, career best when winning 7-runner C&D handicap 22 days ago, comfortably accounting for another in-form sort. Sound claims once more.

Form: 11014-1

(1)

El Picador²⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 74| D

10/1

One win from 2 runs last year. 6/5, capitalised on easing mark when winning 5-runner handicap at Hamilton (11.1f) in May. Absent since but 3 lb higher mark shouldn't rule out another good showing.

Form: 6626/31-

(4)

Hooflepuff^v²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: D Swift| T: B Ellison| OR: 71| BF

7/2

Three wins from 13 runs last year. Latest win at Wolverhampton in November. Respectable third of 8 in handicap at Wolverhampton (9.5f, 3/1) 25 days ago. Not taken lightly.

Form: 2813D-3

(3)

Simple Star²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: A Mullen| T: I Jardine| OR: 71| D

33/1

17/2, first run since leaving Marco Botti when last of 4 in handicap at this course (10.2f) 29 days ago. That was his first start for 9 months and this should reveal more.

Form: 94/616-4

(8)

Early Morning Dew¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: J P Sullivan| T: P D Niven| OR: 70

16/1

Thrice-raced maiden on Flat. 7/1, eleventh of 12 in minor event at Southwell (12.1f) 17 days ago, racing too freely. No surprise to see a better showing here on handicap debut.

Form: 33-0

(5)

Star Of St James²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Connor Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 68

14/1

Fourth of 9 in handicap at Southwell (8.1f) 24 days ago, going with zest and only headed over 1f out. Operating on a handy mark if he can build on that.

Form: 05888-4

(2)

Mr Coco Bean⁹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: Joanna Mason⁽³⁾| T: Helen Cuthbert| OR: 65| D

5/1

Looked unlucky not to win at Redcar (10f) in July (final start for David Barron) and not disgraced on second start for new yard when fourth in a C&D handicap in November. No forlorn hope down in grade

Form: 053294-

(7)

Termonator¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-5| J: Cam Hardie| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 58| C

40/1

Course winner. 33/1, tenth of 11 in handicap at Wolverhampton (9.5f) 13 days ago, always behind. Needs to show more before becoming of interest again.

Form: 4622-70

(6)

Velma²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-3| J: D Fentiman| T: C W Fairhurst| OR: 56| C

11/2

Course winner. Respectable fifth of 11 in handicap at Southwell (8.1f) 26 days ago, weakening final 1f. Return to this venue rates a plus and she's on a handy mark on balance.

Form: 86533-5

Forecasts

Dragons Will Rise (15/8), Hooflepuff (7/2), Mr Coco Bean (5/1), Velma (11/2), El Picador (10/1), Star Of St James (14/1), Early Morning Dew (16/1), Simple Star (33/1), Termonator (40/1)

DRAGONS WILL RISE enhanced his already impressive strike rate when accounting for another operating firmly at the top of its game over C&D recently and he's fancied to put up another bold bid from a 6 lb higher mark. Hooflepuff has been in good order this winter and is feared most, ahead of Velma.