19:30 Newcastle

Thursday 7 March 2024

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

Stay Golden With BetMGM Safer Gambling Handicap

Off time: 19:30 | Winning time: 1m 13.24s

(6)

Influence^p¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 74

4/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Cheekpieces on for 1st time, matched previous best when fifth of 10 in handicap at Kempton (6f, 12/1) 18 days ago, ridden over 2f out and keeping on. Should give another good account.

Form: 22-225

(7)

Colour Code^h1¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 74

28/1

Fair form when runner-up on 2 of her 3 starts in novice/maiden company for Clive Cox. However, below best starting out for new yard when fifth of 7 in novice event at Wolverhampton (6.1f) 10 days ago. Must find best form now switched to handicaps. Hood on 1st time.

Form: 62-25

(2)

Dubai Hills^p¹⁵²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Frederick Larson⁽³⁾| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 73

14/1

Fair maiden who ran well when fourth in valuable sales' race at Newmarket (6f) in August. Unable to match that level after, albeit not well-served by wide draw back at that venue final start. Gelded ahead of return so interesting what the market makes of him. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 462400-

(1)

Morning Suit^p1⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: L Morris| T: A Watson| OR: 73| BF| D

10/1

Much improved from debut when taking 6f Lingfield maiden in November and placed both starts in handicaps since, latterly when third of 8 in handicap at Lingfield (7f, AW) 63 days ago. Expected to give another good account.

Form: 413-3

(8)

Blue Virtue³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 71

3/1

Blue Point filly who built on debut form when chasing home a fellow improver in a Southwell novice (6f) in January. Raced freely and couldn't repeat that level when third at Wolverhampton (7f) since but she remains of interest now attentions switch to handicaps/back down in trip.

Form: 3-23

(4)

Daring Legend⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 71

11/8

Well-bred sort who shaped well on back of 6 months off/starting out for new yard when third of 12 in minor event at Kempton (7f, 10/3) 5 days ago, no extra only late on. Drop back in trip won't inconvenience him on that evidence and he's of interest back in handicaps.

Form: 0464-3

(5)

Lochaber²¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Brandon Wilkie⁽⁵⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 66

10/1

Dandy Man gelding who ended 2-y-o campaign with a good second (behind a subsequent winner) at Ripon (6f) in August, well suited by the increase in trip/strong pace. Rider takes off handy 5 lb on return to action and yard very much amongst the winners.

Form: 446542-

Non-Runners

(3)

Magic Fluke⁴⁵

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: M Botti J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Daring Legend (11/8), Blue Virtue (3/1), Influence (4/1), Magic Fluke (9/2), Morning Suit (10/1), Lochaber (10/1), Dubai Hills (14/1), Colour Code (28/1)

DARING LEGEND (due to be 2 lb higher in future) ran well on his first start for 6 months/debut for the Mick Appleby yard when a close-up third at Kempton on Saturday and, with the drop back to 6f expected to suit, he looks to hold solid claims with the possibility of more to come. Blue Virtue is high on the shortlist on handicap debut/returned to sprinting, with Influence another respected eased in class.