17:10 Newcastle

Thursday 4 January 2024

All15:3716:1016:4017:1017:4018:1018:4019:1019:40

Best Racing Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Handicap

Off time: 17:12 | Winning time: 1m 45.32s

(2)

Young Fire^v¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 75| CD

16/1

C&D winner. Four wins from 21 runs in 2023. After a couple of below-par efforts, step back in right direction when fifth of 8 in handicap (10/1) at Wolverhampton (8.6f) 16 days ago. Not discounted back down in grade.

Form: 503665-

(9)

Dragons Will Rise²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: Aiden Brookes⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 74| CD

50/1

Four-time course winner. After 17 months off, probably needed the outing when 12 lengths tenth of 12 to Star Shield in handicap (80/1) at this C&D 27 days ago. This run should reveal more.

Form: 31537/0-

(11)

August⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 74

13/8

On second start since leaving John & Thady Gosden, bumped into a useful prospect when second of 8 in minor event (11/8) at this C&D a week ago. Respected with more still to offer for his current yard.

Form: 7/74322-

(10)

Star Shield^p²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: Ben Robinson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 74| CD

16/1

Successful 3 times in 2023, staying on to lead close home when winning 12-runner handicap (9/2) at this C&D 27 days ago. Could be thereabouts once more.

Form: 408621-

(5)

Trais Fluors²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 9-7| J: Tommie Jakes⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 73| CD

17/2

C&D winner in November. Not discredited when ¾-length fifth of 12 to Star Shield in handicap at this C&D (11/2) 27 days ago, keeping on having typically been slowly away. Can give his running again.

Form: 773215-

(3)

Ivory Madonna^b²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: R Spencer| OR: 73

8/1

Confirmed her return to form when third of 11 in handicap at Southwell (8.1f, 12/1) 20 days ago, best work late on having again started slowly. Needs everything to drop right.

Form: 582023-

(7)

Hale End^p¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: C Lee| T: M Dods| OR: 71| D

4/1

Again shaped well when fifth of 12 in handicap (5/1) at Wolverhampton (8.6f) 13 days ago, denied clear run from early in straight. Has been proving consistent and he can get his head back in front again.

Form: 253435-

(1)

Spacer²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Laura Pearson| T: D Loughnane| OR: 70

66/1

Fifteen runs since last win in 2021. In first-time blinkers, hung left throughout when last of 11 in handicap (25/1) at Kempton (7f) 22 days ago. Others preferred.

Form: 29P/580-

(6)

Sucellus^t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Harry Russell| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 70| D

22/1

Better signs on his final 2 starts in 2023, eighth of 12 in handicap (10/1) at Wolverhampton (8.6f) 13 days ago, effort when switched over 1f out. One to keep an eye on having dropped to a career-low mark.

Form: 797088-

(4)

Covert Legend^t²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: D Swift| T: T Collier| OR: 69

10/1

Tongue strap on for 1st time, first run since leaving Joseph Parr when good fourth of 11 in handicap at Wolverhampton (8.6f, 33/1) 26 days ago, short of room near line. More needed.

Form: 644394-

(12)

Rocket Rod⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: S H James| T: G A Harker| OR: 67| CD

17/2

C&D winner. Bounced back from a lesser effort when third of 9 in handicap at this C&D (12/1) a week ago, staying on from off the pace. Capable of getting involved having dropped back down to his last winning mark.

Form: 806253-

Non-Runners

(8)

Flylikeaneagle²⁷

Weight: 9-7| Age: 7

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: O J Orr

Forecasts

August (13/8), Hale End (4/1), Ivory Madonna (8/1), Trais Fluors (17/2), Rocket Rod (17/2), Covert Legend (10/1), Flylikeaneagle (10/1), Star Shield (16/1), Young Fire (16/1), Sucellus (22/1), Dragons Will Rise (50/1), Spacer (66/1)

HALE END continued in good heart when fifth at Wolverhampton 13 days ago, meeting trouble having travelled as well as any, so he could be ready to return to winning ways this time around. August has made an encouraging start for Mick Appleby and is feared most, ahead of last-time-out C&D winner Star Shield.