13:25 Newcastle

Tuesday 31 January 2023

All12:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:20

QuinnBet Best Odds Guaranteed Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:27 | Winning time: 5m 48.34s

Shoeshine Boy³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Lewis Dobb⁽⁵⁾| T: D W Whillans| OR: 102

7/2

Improved when switched to handicaps last term, runner-up 4 times on the bounce prior to deservedly opening his account at Ayr in April. Best effort so far this season when second to the progressive The Imposter at Wetherby (3m, soft) and should give another good account.

Form: 221-032

Turnaway^p⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 98

4/1

No better than mid-field in novice hurdles but has gradually clicked since going down the handicap route, off the mark upped to 3m at Taunton (good to soft) last time. 5 lb rise far given that he was well on top at the finish, and he's unexposed as a stayer.

Form: 6570-41

Red Missile^p,t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: P W Wadge⁽⁶⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 97

12/1

Belatedly added to hurdles breakthrough success back in September 2021 when accounting for 4 rivals from the front at Musselburgh (19.8f, soft) earlier this month. 2 lb rise fair enough but dominating this field will not be so easy.

Form: 560-P21

Four Horsemen^b1⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Edward Austin| T: K Thornton| OR: 97

25/1

Winner of final start between the flags last spring and placed all 3 starts over hurdles/fences for T. J. Nagle Jnr in Ireland. However, record under Rules stands at 0-18 following low-key efforts since joining present yard and hopes now pinned on first-time blinkers sparking a return to form.

Form: 3-94686

Lalochezia^p1¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Hogan| T: Justin Landy| OR: 95

40/1

Winner of a Kelso maiden last February but not in anything like the same form subsequently, failing to complete on 2 of his 3 starts so far this season. Connections now reach for cheekpieces.

Form: 145-P7P

Blazing Port²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 94

7/1

Bumper winner for Tristan Davidson who made a promising start over hurdles when runner-up at Hexham in October 2020. Seemingly went the wrong way thereafter but there were positives to glean from his effort at Ayr (20.4f, heavy) where he was returning from a 21-month absence.

Form: 222P5/4

Something Golden³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 93

66/1

Big prices and well held on completed starts in maiden/novice hurdles. Big step forward needed now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 7U85

Master Of The Malt^t1²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Midgley| T: D Bourke| OR: 92

33/1

Modest form on bumper debut and hasn't shown much over hurdles either. The addition of cheekpieces didn't have the desired effect at Ayr last time and that headgear is now discarded and replaced with a tongue strap.

Form: 0P-0398

Fortcanyon^t1²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Lewis Stones| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 90

33/1

Ran to fair level when fourth in a 2m maiden here in December 2021. However, he's failed to build on that since, offering little in 3 starts switched to handicap company this season.

Form: 945-77P

Atomic Angel¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: D B Hurst⁽⁸⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 89

11/2

Dual hurdles winner last term and, following a poor effort over fences at Catterick during the Chrismtas period, he looked better than ever back hurdling with a wide-margin success at the same course (25.3f, heavy) recently. 7 lb rise tolerable and she has to be considered.

Form: 5246P1

Lastofthecosmics^p,t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 86

9/1

Winner of just one of his 17 starts over hurdles but he has been placed on several occasions, including over 3m at Musselburgh the last twice (albeit he was below par last time). Remains on a workable mark and not without each-way hope.

Form: 25P-733

Oliver's Island^b,t³¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: Aaron Anderson| T: J Bedi| OR: 81

25/1

Failed by a whisker at Lingfield in November and emerged on top in another close call at Market Rasen (23f, soft) next time. However, there is something of a yoyo-like theme to his profile and he wasn't on-song at Uttoxeter on New Year's Eve.

Form: U-08215

Rumble B³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: William Shanahan⁽³⁾| T: Justin Landy| OR: 81

13/2

Off 8 months and took a big step back in the right direction when staying-on fourth of 18 in handicap hurdle over (20.3f) here in December. Possibilities off the same mark if able to build on that back up in trip.

Form: 4306P-4

Misscarlett^p⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Joe Williamson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 77

28/1

Mixed bag over timber and on the level since winning handicap hurdle at Market Rasen in November 2021. Safely held on the Flat last time and it's probably best to look elsewhere.

Form: 7-74628

Punta Prima^b³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 76

18/1

Appeared to take a step forward when third in a Carlisle novice last spring but the subsequent switch to handicap company has yet to yield any improvement.

Form: 653P-74

Non-Runners

Tartan Cookie³⁰

Weight: 11-8| Age: 7

T: Ewan Whillans J: Theo Gillard

Bolt Man⁶³

Weight: 11-3| Age: 5

T: I A Duncan J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Shoeshine Boy (7/2), Turnaway (4/1), Atomic Angel (11/2), Rumble B (13/2), Blazing Port (7/1), Lastofthecosmics (9/1), Tartan Cookie (10/1), Red Missile (12/1), Punta Prima (18/1), Oliver's Island (25/1), Four Horsemen (25/1), Bolt Man (25/1), Misscarlett (28/1), Fortcanyon (33/1), Master Of The Malt (33/1), Lalochezia (40/1), Something Golden (66/1)

A 7 lb rise for ATOMIC ANGEL's 14-length success at Catterick doesn't look at all harsh, and while this is more competitive, she will surely go very close indeed if able to reproduce that performance. Turnaway is an obvious danger on the back of his improved display at Taunton, while Shoeshine Boy is also accorded plenty of respect having chased home a highly progressive rival at Wetherby last month. Blazing Port and Tartan Cookie are others for whom cases can be made.