19:00 Newcastle

Thursday 22 February 2024

All17:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Always Gamble Responsibly With BetUK Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 19:00 | Winning time: 1m 15.25s

(5)

Athollblair Boy³⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 9-9| J: Faye McManoman| T: N Tinkler| OR: 65| CD

9/2

Veteran who returned to form from easing mark when runner-up here on penultimate start and built on that to add an eighth C&D success to his tally 5 weeks ago. 3 lb rise shouldn't prevent another good showing.

Form: 0687-21

(4)

Thaki^t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Joanna Mason| T: K Scott| OR: 63| CD

7/2

C&D winner. Creditable second of 8 in handicap at Wolverhampton (6.1f, 9/2) 16 days ago, headway out wide over 1f out and keeping on. Capable of defying this mark and he's one to consider.

Form: 5890-52

(7)

The Gay Blade¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: A Mullen| T: I Jardine| OR: 61| CD

16/5

C&D winner. Latest win at Chelmsford City in January. Seventh of 10 in handicap at Wolverhampton (7.2f, 17/2) 19 days ago. Not taken lightly returned to 6f.

Form: 36-1157

(2)

Captain Vallo^p³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Rowan Scott| T: Phillip Makin| OR: 61| CD

15/2

C&D winner. 6/1, 6¼ lengths ninth of 12 to Athollblair Boy in handicap at this C&D 34 days ago, never better than midfield. Mark has eased a little more.

Form: 6007-49

(1)

Flash The Dash¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Ryan Sexton| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 60| CD

10/3

Tumbled down the weights and belatedly built on previous promise when winning 10-runner C&D handicap 12 days ago, staying on to lead line. Worth considering now he's got his head back in front.

Form: 735-421

(6)

Dream Together¹⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: Billy Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 54| D

13/2

Sixteen runs since last win in 2022. Last of 12 in handicap (17/2) at this C&D in September, folding from 2f out. Has gone well fresh in the past and worth noting if the market speaks in his favour back from 5 months off.

Form: 664280-

Non-Runners

(3)

Abolish¹³

Weight: 9-8| Age: 8

T: A W Carroll J: William Carson

(8)

Late Arrival⁶

Weight: 9-7| Age: 7

T: M & D Easterby J: Lewis Chalkley

Forecasts

The Gay Blade (16/5), Flash The Dash (10/3), Thaki (7/2), Athollblair Boy (9/2), Abolish (5/1), Dream Together (13/2), Captain Vallo (15/2), Late Arrival (12/1)

ATHOLLBLAIR BOY is now firmly into the veteran stage but he proved game as he brought up an eighth C&D success 5 weeks ago and a 3 lb rise shouldn't prevent him going well again in this groove. Thaki has signalled his turn isn't far away of late and he's feared along with recent C&D winner Flash The Dash. The Gay Blade would prove a danger to all granted his own way on the front end.