15:40 Newcastle

Friday 3 November 2023

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:4517:1517:4518:15

Best Racing Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Handicap

Off time: 15:42 | Winning time: 1m 43.96s

(1)

Hortzadar^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 76| D

22/1

Latest win at Ayr in September. 15/2, twelfth of 16 in handicap at Redcar (8f, good) 27 days ago, unable to sustain effort. Needs to bounce back now switched to tapeta. Yard also saddles Star Shield.

Form: 660120

(11)

Bicep¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: S H James| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 76| C

7/2

Career best when winning 12-runner handicap (8/1) at this course (7.1f) 14 days ago. More on his plate up 5 lb in this stronger race.

Form: 800201

(4)

Million Thanks^t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: O J Orr| T: R Menzies| OR: 76| D

20/1

First run since leaving Kevin Philippart De Foy when last of 8 in handicap at this C&D (9/1) 21 days ago, not clear run. Tongue strap back on and would be a threat if he were to put his best foot forward.

Form: 527008

(2)

Victoria Falls^v³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Billy Loughnane| T: H Palmer| OR: 74| D

6/1

Three wins from 13 runs this year, the latest at Thirsk in September. 13/2, good second of 12 in handicap at Newmarket (8f, good to firm) 36 days ago, slowly away. One to consider.

Form: 452112

(8)

Vindobala^t³^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: T Eaves| T: S England| OR: 67| CD

10/3

Unreliable sort. 13/2, improved on recent efforts to win 12-runner handicap at this C&D 3 days ago, running on. Worth taking on under a penalty.

Form: 03R941

(9)

Star Shield^p¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: Ben Robinson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 71| CD

8/1

C&D winner. Latest win at Wetherby in June. Creditable sixth of 12 in handicap (12/1) at this C&D 17 days ago, needing stronger gallop. Expected to be bang there.

Form: 154086

(5)

Dion Baker^p⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: A J Farragher⁽³⁾| T: M Wigham| OR: 71

50/1

One win from 21 Flat runs. Successful at Yarmouth in July. 6/1, last of 8 in handicap at Lingfield (7f, AW) 8 days ago. Others make more appeal.

Form: 102208

(10)

Showmedemoney^p,t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: William Pyle⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 71| CD

14/1

C&D winner. 3 wins from 14 runs this year, the latest at Carlisle in September. Respectable third of 8 in handicap (40/1) at this C&D 21 days ago. Likely to find a few too strong.

Form: 906103

(6)

Irish Flame^p¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 71| CD

9/2

C&D winner. 12/1, creditable third of 12 in handicap at this C&D 17 days ago. Place possibilities.

Form: 586253

(12)

Create²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: D Swift| T: S Dixon| OR: 72| D

17/2

Thrice-raced winner. 1 win from 3 runs this year. Fifth of 9 in handicap (7/1) at Pontefract (8f, good to soft) 25 days ago. Yard also represented by Sycamore.

Form: 125

(7)

Perfect Swiss⁸⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Cam Hardie| T: T D Easterby| OR: 66| CD

18/1

Three-time C&D winner. Twelve runs since last win in 2022. Respectable fourth of 11 in handicap at Pontefract (8f, good, 10/1) 86 days ago, having to weave through. Needs considering.

Form: 550254

Non-Runners

(3)

Sycamore²⁵

Weight: 9-5| Age: 6

T: S Dixon J: Andrea Pinna

Forecasts

Vindobala (10/3), Bicep (7/2), Irish Flame (9/2), Victoria Falls (6/1), Star Shield (8/1), Create (17/2), Showmedemoney (14/1), Perfect Swiss (18/1), Million Thanks (20/1), Hortzadar (22/1), Dion Baker (50/1), Sycamore (50/1)

This looks wide open and the suggestion is STAR SHIELD, who has slipped to a workable mark and left the impression that his turn could be near when sixth over this C&D recently, despite not being seen to best effect. Victoria Falls has proved most consistent this year and is greatly respected on the back of her near miss at Newmarket. Perfect Swiss is also shortlisted, while Million Thanks would be in with a shout if bouncing back.