12:05 Newcastle

Thursday 12 January 2023

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

BetUK Over 40,000 Live Streamed Races Handicap

Off time: 12:11 | Winning time: 2m 48.53s

(5)

Quercus Robur^p⁸^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: K Stott| T: A Nicol| OR: 61| C

11/10

Ended last year on a high, landing 2 of last 3 starts for Richard Fahey and continued good work for new yard, career-best when winning 8-runner handicap at this course (16.2f) 8 days ago. Versatile as regards trip and big player once more under a penalty.

Form: 41712-1

(3)

Bobba Tee^p1¹⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 9-11| J: Connor Beasley| T: A D Brown| OR: 62| CD

80/1

Veteran C&D winner who went the wrong way from his return/yard debut at Southwell in December when trailing in last of 8 in a C&D handicap 10 days ago. Cheekpieces go on now but others make much more appeal.

Form: 7/7478-8

(7)

Unbridled Power^v1²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: P J McDonald| T: R Menzies| OR: 60

33/1

Modest form in trio of Irish bumpers but promise (fair form at best) in trio of starts in novice company for new yard this winter. Looked unsuited by drop to 7f here 23 days ago but gets a crack at handicaps back at this more suitable trip. Likely improver with visor enlisted.

Form: 334-

(10)

Riggsby²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: G Lee| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 60| C

18/1

Dual course winner (at 2m) last winter but operating some way below his best in recent months, left behind soon after 2f out when ninth of 11 in handicap at Southwell (14.1f) 23 days ago. Mark continues to ease at least.

Form: 348089-

(4)

Hildenley^t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 58| C

9/2

Course winner. Latest win over 10f here in September. Essentially remained in form since, creditable third of 8 in handicap at this C&D (14/1) 10 days ago, without being seen to best effect. Should give another good account eased in grade.

Form: 52136-3

(6)

Crystal Guard^p³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: C Lee| T: I Jardine| OR: 56| D

13/2

Winner at Wolverhampton in November. Creditable fourth of 13 in handicap (5/1) at Southwell (12.1f) 34 days ago, headway under pressure 2f out but never nearer. Not out of things on balance.

Form: 764514-

(11)

Meet Me There³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: S H James| T: K Scott| OR: 58

80/1

Churchill filly. 150/1, first run since leaving Andrew Oliver when fifth of 6 in maiden at Wolverhampton (12.2f) 31 days ago, in rear and ultimately never involved. However, does now get a crack at handicaps and worth a precautionary market check.

Form: 085-

(9)

Bouncing Bobby⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 55

16/1

Successful over 13f prior to a consistent spell on the level last season. Opened account over hurdles at Carlisle (20f, heavy) in October and not disgraced when midfield upped to 3m here a month later. Each-way possibilities.

Form: 323432

(1)

International Law^v⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 54| C| D

33/1

Course winner. Latest win at Southwell (12f) in October. Respectable sixth of 13 in handicap at Wolverhampton (14f, 11/1) 7 days ago, keeping on without threatening. Drop in trip will hold no fears here.

Form: 33125-6

(2)

Selecto²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Joanna Mason| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 53| CD

40/1

C&D winner who caused a shock when adding to his tally at Hamilton (12f) in September. However, he's proved more miss than hit in handful of starts on turf/AW since and others arrive with more pressing claims.

Form: 010308-

(8)

Thunder Gap²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Billy Garritty| T: T P Tate| OR: 51

11/2

Maiden who stepped up markedly on comeback run when runner-up over 10f here in October, headed 1f out but keeping on. Similar form when eighth in 14-runner Southwell handicap 4 weeks ago and he'll need to pull out more to break his duck here.

Form: 549/028-

Forecasts

Quercus Robur (11/10), Hildenley (9/2), Thunder Gap (11/2), Crystal Guard (13/2), Bouncing Bobby (16/1), Riggsby (18/1), International Law (33/1), Unbridled Power (33/1), Selecto (40/1), Bobba Tee (80/1), Meet Me There (80/1)

QUERCUS ROBUR ended his time with Richard Fahey on the up and has continued the good work for his new yard, winning with any amount to spare over 2m here 8 days ago. Versatile as regards trip, he earns the vote to follow up under a penalty. Handicap-debutant Unbridled Power will benefit from the step back up in trip and rates an improver, so he's feared, along with Hildenley.