15:30 Newcastle

Saturday 9 December 2023

All15:3016:0516:4017:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:45

Boost Your Acca-Fenwa With BetUK Handicap

Off time: 15:31 | Winning time: 2m 17.10s

(8)

Sir Busker^v²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: Callum Shepherd| T: W J Knight| OR: 102| C| D

6/1

Useful gelding who landed Group 2 York Stakes last summer. Largely operating below best in recent months, albeit not seen to best effect when 3½ lengths last of 7 to Blue Trail in listed race at Lingfield (10f, AW) 21 days ago. Ease in class rates a plus.

Form: 290797

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(9)

Felix^p,t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: P J McDonald| T: M Botti| OR: 98| D

10/1

Sixteen runs since last win in 2021. Creditable third of 7 in handicap at Chelmsford City (10f, 12/1) 30 days ago, finishing to good effect in a slowly-run race. Looks competitive on form.

Form: 483-793

(3)

Onesmoothoperator²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 92| CD

5/1

15/2, won 13-runner November Handicap at this course (12.4f) 28 days ago, quickening to lead late on. 3 lb higher now but no reason why he won't give another good account.

Form: 972751

(2)

United Front^h⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 90| C| D

28/1

Course winner who capitalised on the drop in class when successful at Beverley (7.4f) in June. Largely creditable efforts thereafter and clearly not 100% when last seen at Wolverhampton (8.6f) in September. Still, others rate stronger here.

Form: 553640

(5)

Furzig²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-10| J: Cam Hardie| T: R A Fahey| OR: 86| CD

80/1

C&D winner. 40/1, 11½ lengths last of 13 to Onesmoothoperator in handicap at this course (12.4f) 28 days ago. Needs to leave that well behind if he's to figure here.

Form: 503350

(1)

Zozimus^p,h1²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Joanna Mason| T: D O'Meara| OR: 85

18/1

One win from 27 Flat runs but went close in handicaps at Beverley/Haydock this summer. 11/1, not seen to best effect when eighth of 12 in handicap at this course (1m) 24 days ago, finishing with running left. Not one to dismiss out of hand back up in trip. Hood/cheekpieces on.

Form: 622048

(7)

Afterwards²¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: J P Sullivan| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 85| C

11/1

Time Test gelding who confirmed debut promise when landing 1m novice here back in March. Ran to a similar level without threatening when fifth of 6 in listed Dee Stakes at Chester in May but absent since. Market could prove a useful guide making handicap debut.

Form: 215

(4)

Island Bandit^b⁷¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Gina Mangan⁽³⁾| T: H Main| OR: 82

14/1

Six wins from 21 Flat runs. Latest win at Sandown in August. 13/2, creditable second of 8 in handicap at Newmarket (9f, good to firm) 71 days ago. Makes tapeta debut.

Form: 014172

(6)

To Catch A Thief³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: A J Farragher⁽³⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 84

5/6

Son of Cracksman who continued theme of race-by-race progress when running out a comfortable winner of a Wolverhampton novice (9.5f) in November. Type to go on improving for leading yard and serious claims on handicap debut.

Form: 531

Forecasts

To Catch A Thief (5/6), Onesmoothoperator (5/1), Sir Busker (6/1), Felix (10/1), Afterwards (11/1), Island Bandit (14/1), Zozimus (18/1), United Front (28/1), Furzig (80/1)

TO CATCH A THIEF continued his theme of race-by-race progress on the back of 5 months off/being gelded when readily accounting for a next-time-out winner at Wolverhampton last month and, with the prospect of more to come now handicapping, he looks to hold serious claims of following up. Felix, Zozimus and Onesmoothoperator head up the dangers.