20:15 Newcastle

Thursday 22 August 2024

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

Tote.co.uk Pure Belta Racing League Race 34 Handicap (Trainers Registered To Racing League)

Off time: 20:17 | Winning time: 1m 11.54s

(11)

Badri¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: D Allan| T: M Herrington| OR: 91| CD

11/1

Hit the target on five occasions last year (including twice over C&D). Mixed record from falling mark in 2024 but promising start for this yard when runner-up to Jordan Electrics at Hamilton earlier in the month. Not so good at Ascot 12 days ago, so needs to quickly bounce back.

Form: 079925

(10)

Prince of Zenda^v⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: O J Orr| T: H Palmer| OR: 90| BF| CD

5/1

A dual 6f AW winner early this year (including over C&D) and has continued in good nick, second of 13 in handicap at this track (5f) just under 8 weeks ago. Versatile regarding tactics and trip and will remain of plenty of interest.

Form: 110242

(13)

The Caltonian^b³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: P Mulrennan| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 89| CD

12/1

4-time course winner who is holding his form well. 15/2, creditable fourth of 11 in handicap at Ayr (6f, good to firm) last month. 12 lb higher all-weather mark to contend with but is a better horse on synthetics.

Form: 2B6224

(4)

Aberama Gold^v²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 89| D

10/1

Won Stewards Cup last year and looks to be coming to the boil again, shaping well when fourth of 12 in handicap at Wolverhampton (6.1f) 3 weeks ago. Mark eases a shade further and he's one to be interested in.

Form: 697434

(1)

Gisburn¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 88| D

14/1

Has been edging back down in the weights this year and bounced back to form with a bit of cut in the ground when scoring at Chepstow (6.1f, good to soft) a fortnight ago. Back up 4 lb but fancied to be in the shake-up.

Form: 306501

(2)

Thunder Blue^t¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 88| D

17/2

Has made an encouraging start for current yard, landing 11-runner handicap at Wolverhampton (6.1f) earlier this month. Confirmed the improvement shown when third at Ascot (6f, good to firm) 12 days ago and likely to continue in form.

Form: 749913

(7)

Tyger Bay^b,t⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: L Morris| T: C Allen| OR: 83| D

40/1

Successful on both turf starts this year, latest at Bath in April. Ran at least as well in defeat when second of 11 in handicap (7/1) at Kempton (6f) 3 months ago but percentage call is to look elsewhere returning from a break.

Form: 453112

(9)

Ingra Tor²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: David Probert| T: J Channon| OR: 83| D

10/1

Twelve runs since last win in 2022. 8/1, creditable third of 14 in handicap at Yarmouth (6f, good) 4 weeks ago, well positioned from his good draw. Needs to build on that in this slightly deeper race.

Form: 20-5633

(6)

Cross The Tracks^b²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Cieren Fallon| T: R Spencer| OR: 85| CD

11/1

Has taken his form up a notch at this track this summer scoring twice, latest when making all over C&D in May. Wasn't at his best back on turf but wasn't drawn ideally at Yarmouth (6f, good) 4 weeks ago but a better showing anticipated back at this venue.

Form: 612147

(3)

Blue Day²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: T E Whelan| T: Harry Charlton| OR: 85| D

7/1

Improved to get off the mark on handicap debut after 7 months off at Southwell in April. Continues to gradually go the right way despite repeatedly shaping as if he'll be suited by 7f, ½-length second of 11 to Thunder Blue last time. Others more appealing kept to this trip.

Form: 42-1332

(14)

Heathcliff¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 80

6/1

Has taken off since handicapping, doubling his tally with plenty in hand in 10-runner event at Kempton (7f) just over 2 weeks ago. Will go on improving and remains one to be interested in back sprinting.

Form: 82-4131

(12)

Diligent Resdev^v1²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Jason Hart| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 79| CD

14/1

Low-mileage sort who caused a shock when edging ahead close home on handicap debut at York (7f) in May. His development looks to have stalled however, so hopes pinned on a return to this venue (won here on sole 2-y-o start). Visor applied.

Form: 1-3150

(8)

Yaaser⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Amie Waugh⁽⁵⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 73

16/1

Yet to reach last season's heights this term. 11/4, bit below form third of 8 in handicap at Ayr (7.2f, good to firm) 45 days ago. Back on all-weather for the first time this year and handicapper relinquishes his grip further.

Form: 7-79353

(5)

The Ridler^p1¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Cam Hardie| T: R A Fahey| OR: 73| BF

33/1

3/1, unlucky not to break a lengthy losing run when second of 8 in handicap at Doncaster (6f, good to firm) 19 days ago, unable to get a clear passage at a crucial time. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Did disappoint on his only previous start on all-weather.

Form: 9-00632

Forecasts

Prince of Zenda (5/1), Heathcliff (6/1), Blue Day (7/1), Thunder Blue (17/2), Ingra Tor (10/1), Aberama Gold (10/1), Cross The Tracks (11/1), Badri (11/1), The Caltonian (12/1), Diligent Resdev (14/1), Gisburn (14/1), Yaaser (16/1), The Ridler (33/1), Tyger Bay (40/1)

HEATHCLIFF's form has taken off since handicapping and with further improvement on the cards, James Fanshawe's 3-y-o is fancied to make it 3 wins in his last 4 starts at the expense of Prince of Zenda, who goes well at this track and is in top form at present. Last year's Stewards' Cup winner Aberama Gold looks to be coming to the boil again, so he can fight out minor honours with Yaaser.