14:40 Newcastle

Saturday 1 July 2023

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:25

Pertemps Network Handicap

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 1m 28.89s

(3)

Lord Of The Lodge¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Sam Feilden⁽⁷⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 103| CD

12/1

Smart AW performer. Best turf run for a long time when fourth of 19 in 7f York handicap in May but not in the same form back there since. A smart effort will be needed from his higher AW mark.

Form: 724040

(5)

Air To Air^t⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Billy Loughnane⁽³⁾| T: G Boughey| OR: 93| D

9/2

Good second over C&D in January. Tongue strap on first time, not in the same form when last of 7 in handicap (11/1) at Newmarket (7f, good) 5 months later. Return to AW needs to help.

Form: 0209-27

(7)

The Gatekeeper⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C Johnston| OR: 93| CD

7/2

Made a winning return from long absence over C&D in March and went in again at Newmarket in May. Found Buckingham Palace all too much at Ascot last week but capable of making presence felt in these calmer waters.

Form: 154160

(6)

Zip^v⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 90| CD

9/2

Three-time C&D winner, the latest in January. Also successful at Southwell in February. Given a short break since his below-form twelfth of 22 in Victoria Cup at Ascot (7f, soft), ridden too aggressively. Capable of bouncing back.

Form: 2-16130

(2)

Marshal Dan⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Rossa Ryan| T: H Main| OR: 88| D

12/1

Needs to bounce back from below-par efforts on his last 2 outings but his stable's good record at this venue makes him a dangerous one to discount.

Form: 814-308

(10)

Wobwobwob⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: A Keatley| OR: 86| BF| D

9/2

Recorded a couple of creditable in-frame efforts on his return to action in April and shaped as if still in form when sixth at Chester latest. Back from a 7-week break with his yard going well. Contender under Marquand.

Form: 316-426

(9)

Adeb⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Billy Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 85| CD

13/2

Two course wins at the start of the year, the latter over this trip. His last 2 runs have been a bit disappointing but it's possible a return to this venue will see him get back on track.

Form: 132100

(8)

Utilis²⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: L Morris| T: B Ellison| OR: 85

17/2

Achieved fairly useful form over 6f/7f at 2 without managing to get his head in front. Makes his reappearance in a competitive race against older and battle-hardened rivals. Betting perhaps the best guide.

Form: 324623-

Non-Runners

(4)

Safe Voyage⁴⁹

Weight: 9-10| Age: 10

T: J & S Quinn J: Jason Hart

(1)

Chola Empire²

Weight: 8-11| Age: 4

T: D M Simcock J: Non Runner

Forecasts

The Gatekeeper (7/2), Safe Voyage (7/2), Zip (9/2), Air To Air (9/2), Wobwobwob (9/2), Adeb (13/2), Chola Empire (7/1), Utilis (17/2), Lord Of The Lodge (12/1), Marshal Dan (12/1)

Perhaps former C&D scorer SAFE VOYAGE can roll back the years and resume winning ways on the back of a pair of good efforts in highly competitive handicaps on turf in May. Three-time C&D winner Zip was better than the result in the Victoria Cup at Ascot last time and can bounce back to form and provide the chief threat ahead of Wobwobwob, whose trainer Adrian Keatley has had his string in excellent form lately.