18:10 Newcastle

Thursday 4 January 2024

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

BetMGM: It's Showtime Handicap

Off time: 18:11 | Winning time: 1m 17.87s

(3)

Warming^p1²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Hart| T: G Boughey| OR: 65

11/2

Matched debut form at the second attempt when fifth of 10 in minor event at Lingfield (8f, AW, 80/1) 29 days ago. Could show more as she drops in trip for her handicap debut with cheekpieces applied.

Form: 585-

(1)

Zachary⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: A Mullen| T: C Johnston| OR: 63| D

10/1

Successful twice at Chelmsford City in 2023, with his latest success in November. Not ideally positioned when tenth of 11 in nursery (9/2) at Southwell (6.1f) 41 days ago, so no surprise to see him bounce back.

Form: 514150-

(4)

Wren Officer^p1²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: D Allan| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 61

11/2

Failed to progress when seventh of 11 on nursery debut at Lingfield (6f, AW, 50/1) 22 days ago, never nearer. Improvement required with cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 4547-

(6)

Mereside Madness¹²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Ryan Sexton⁽³⁾| T: T D Barron| OR: 60

5/2

Thrice-raced maiden. Fourth of 8 in maiden (16/1) at Catterick (5f, good) when last seen in August, plugging on. Has been gelded since. Step up in trip likely to suit as he makes his handicap debut.

Form: 044-

(7)

Lady In Havana¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Laura Pearson| T: D Loughnane| OR: 60| D

2/1

Made a winning stable/handicap debut at Southwell (6.1f) in December, before finding only an improver too strong when runner-up in 11-runner event (3/1) at the same C&D 13 days ago. Major player.

Form: 85712-

(5)

Alibi Warning¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Billy Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 53

17/2

Disappointing when tenth of 11 in nursery (14/1) at Southwell (6.1f) 13 days ago, racing freely/hanging left. However, she'd shaped well on her previous outing, so she's not one to write off just yet.

Form: 77040-

(2)

Sue's Little Angel¹⁷³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Cam Hardie| T: R A Fahey| OR: 53

22/1

In first-time cheekpieces, fared no better than previously when tenth of 12 on nursery debut (66/1) at York (6f, good) in July. Much more needed as she makes her first start on tapeta.

Form: 6080-

Forecasts

Lady In Havana (2/1), Mereside Madness (5/2), Wren Officer (11/2), Warming (11/2), Alibi Warning (17/2), Zachary (10/1), Sue's Little Angel (22/1)

LADY IN HAVANA has shown improved form switched to handicaps since joining David Loughnane, bumping into one who has scored again since when runner-up at Southwell 13 days ago, so she is taken to double her tally. Zachary won a pair of nurseries last year and could be worth another chance, while Warming is one to note on her handicap debut.