19:40 Newcastle

Friday 15 March 2024

All17:0017:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:10

BetMGM: It's Showtime Handicap

Off time: 19:40 | Winning time: 1m 27.5s

(2)

Cross The Tracks^b¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: R Spencer| OR: 69

4/1

12/1, respectable sixth of 11 in handicap at Kempton (8f) 13 days ago. No forlorn hope.

Form: 505-456

(6)

Mr Irrelevant²³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: S H James| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 69

15/2

Lightly-raced maiden. 11/2, respectable fifth of 11 in maiden at Catterick (7f, good). Off 7 months. Makes tapeta/handicap debut with plenty to find on form.

Form: 9325-

(5)

East Bank⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: T Eaves| T: Craig Lidster| OR: 63| CD

5/2

Career best when winning 8-runner handicap at this C&D (22/1) 8 days ago by 2½ lengths from Likeashadow. Carries 6 lb penalty but he's not taken lightly in his current mood.

Form: 505-671

(4)

Doubletalk¹³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: C Johnston| OR: 67| D

20/1

14/1, ninth of 10 in nursery at Kempton (7f). Off 135 days. Makes tapeta debut. Dangerous if scaling a revival.

Form: 281279-

(1)

Bits And Bobs¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Shepherd| T: J A Osborne| OR: 67

15/2

Eleven runs since last win in 2023. Very good second of 10 in handicap at Kempton (7f, 14/1) 16 days ago, running on late. Firmly in the picture nudged up 1 lb.

Form: 57-8052

(3)

Reflexion Faite¹⁶⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Faye McManoman| T: N Tinkler| OR: 65

80/1

Respectable fifth of 12 in nursery (17/2) at Southwell (5f). Off 169 days. Significantly up in trip on her first run since leaving Kevin Philippart De Foy with something to find on form.

Form: 892355-

(7)

Likeashadow^b⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Rowan Scott| T: A D Brown| OR: 63| CD

4/1

C&D winner. Blinkered for 1st time, good second of 8 to East Bank in handicap (15/2) at this C&D 8 days ago. Can race off the same mark here so he's expected to be bang there.

Form: 223332

(8)

Mayo County³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Ryan Sexton| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 58

9/2

Thrice-raced maiden. 66/1, creditable fourth of 12 in maiden at this C&D 31 days ago. In good hands and is much respected on her handicap debut.

Form: 774

Forecasts

East Bank (5/2), Cross The Tracks (4/1), Likeashadow (4/1), Mayo County (9/2), Bits And Bobs (15/2), Mr Irrelevant (15/2), Doubletalk (20/1), Reflexion Faite (80/1)

LIKEASHADOW looks the way to go here given he can race off the same mark as when a good second to East Bank over C&D last time out and meets that rival on 6 lb better terms now. Craig Lidster's penalised 3-y-o still rates the chief danger however, with Bits And Bobs another who can have a say in an open contest.