15:55 Newcastle

Monday 8 January 2024

All15:2015:5516:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:00

BetMGM: It's Showtime Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 15:59 | Winning time: 1m 27.38s

(7)

Greenwich¹¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Loughnane| T: R Menzies| OR: 60| BF

7/4

Thrice-raced maiden. Second of 8 in novice at Redcar (6f, good, 5/6) in September. Makes handicap and AW debut after a break. Less exposed than the rest of these and an interesting runner, particularly if backed.

Form: 942-

(11)

Abnaa^b¹²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Andrew Breslin| T: A Brittain| OR: 60| CD

66/1

Three-time C&D winner, the latest in February. Out of sorts when last seen in the autumn, though.

Form: 896090-

(6)

Beylerbeyi³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Jack Enright⁽⁷⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 60

7/2

10/1, first run since leaving Patrick Morris when creditable fifth of 10 in handicap at Wolverhampton (5f) 34 days ago, not clear run. Significantly back up in trip.

Form: 898955-

(4)

Comedian Leader^b,t¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Morgan Cole⁽³⁾| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 60| CD

12/1

C&D winner. Four wins from 17 runs last year. Twelve runs since last win in 2023. Ninth of 12 in handicap at Southwell (1m, 22/1) 17 days ago. Blinkers back on.

Form: 389969-

(12)

Fitz Perfectly^p³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Mikkel Mortensen⁽⁷⁾| T: C Fellowes| OR: 59

6/1

7/1, creditable second of 12 in handicap at Lingfield (1m) 34 days ago. Each-way claims again.

Form: 646872-

(10)

Conri²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Mark Winn| T: D O'Meara| OR: 58

18/1

Lightly-raced maiden. 17/2, last of 10 in handicap at Wolverhampton (7f) 29 days ago, not helped by a wide draw.

Form: 0/5450-

(1)

Bobby Joe Leg^b¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-6| J: Ryan Sexton| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 57| CD

9/1

Five-time C&D winner but it's now 20 runs since last win in 2022. Fifth of 7 in handicap (14/1) at this course 1mf) 11 days ago. Blinkers back on.

Form: 584725-

(3)

Sparkling Spirit^b¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: K S McHugh⁽⁷⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 55

16/1

Blinkered first time, creditable third of 10 in handicap (9/2) at Kempton (7f) 19 days ago. Merits consideration.

Form: 037443-

(2)

Dandys Gold^p⁴⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 9-4| J: Jonny Peate| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 55| C| D

28/1

Course winner in November. 33/1, bit below form seventh of 12 in handicap at Southwell (6f) 45 days ago.

Form: 779717-

(8)

Marie's Jewel²⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: William Pyle⁽³⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 55

50/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Eighth of 12 in handicap (25/1) at Doncaster (6f, soft) in April. Off since. Makes tapeta debut. Not easy to make a case for.

Form: 505/8-

(9)

Van Zant¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Christian Howarth| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 47| D

15/2

3/1, improved on recent efforts to win 12-runner handicap at Wolverhampton (7f) 13 days ago. Enters calculations off only 1 lb higher.

Form: 602531-

Non-Runners

(5)

Martin's Brig¹⁰

Weight: 9-1| Age: 7

T: D Thompson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Greenwich (7/4), Beylerbeyi (7/2), Fitz Perfectly (6/1), Van Zant (15/2), Bobby Joe Leg (9/1), Comedian Leader (12/1), Sparkling Spirit (16/1), Martin's Brig (16/1), Conri (18/1), Dandys Gold (28/1), Marie's Jewel (50/1), Abnaa (66/1)

SPARKLING SPIRIT shaped well in blinkers at Kempton last time and could be the way to go if the headgear continues to have a positive effect. Van Zant was only nudged up 1 lb for his recent Wolverhampton success so should be very competitive again. Greenwich is an interesting handicap newcomer for shrewd connections.