17:45 Newcastle

Tuesday 21 January 2025

All16:0316:4017:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:45

BetMGM: It's Showtime Handicap

Off time: 17:47 | Winning time: 1m 42.72s

(7)

Time Tested⁸^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: H Crouch| T: M L W Bell| OR: 64| D

5/2

5/1, career best when winning a 10-runner handicap at Lingfield (10f, AW) 8 days ago, did well in circumstances considering he explored inner part of track which generally hadn't been favoured. Drops back in trip but still a leading contender under a 5 lb penalty.

Form: 01212-1

(2)

Cusack^p⁷^{(ex 4)}

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Sean Kirrane| T: D Thompson| OR: 64| CD

17/2

4-time C&D winner. 7/2, won a 9-runner handicap at this C&D 7 days ago, better placed than most and therefore not a sure thing to follow up under a 4 lb penalty.

Form: 88943-1

(9)

Breakwater^p1²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Billy Garritty| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 65

11/1

Thrice-raced maiden. Fifth of 12 in novice (50/1) at Newcastle (10.2f) 22 days ago. Cheekpieces on and may do better now handicapping.

Form: 4/955-

(1)

Electric Avenue^t³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: C Lee| T: I Furtado| OR: 65| CD

14/1

First run since leaving George Baker when tongue strap on for 1st time, career best when winning 6-runner handicap at this C&D 31 days ago (second ran well in a better race since) and much respected in bid to follow up.

Form: 135291-

(11)

L'Ennemi^p1²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Ryan Sexton| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 65

28/1

Eighth of 12 in handicap at Wolverhampton (9.5f, 14/1) 25 days ago. Cheekpieces on first time. but others make more appeal.

Form: 3/75788-

(5)

Hartswood²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 65| CD

9/1

C&D winner. Latest win at Doncaster in September. Creditable sixth of 11 in a handicap at this course (10.2f, 20/1) 20 days ago. Back down in trip and ideally needs a strong pace to aim at, which isn't guaranteed here.

Form: 91079-6

(6)

Mariner^p1³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: George Wood| T: J Candlish| OR: 64

33/1

A fair maiden handicapper on the Flat at up to 1¼m for Jessica Macey. Makes Flat debut for new yard wearing first-time cheekpieces following a couple of spins over hurdles and has a bit to find.

Form: 422577-

(8)

Miners Gamble^p⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Harry Russell| T: B Ellison| OR: 63

5/1

Winner at Musselburgh in August. Shaped well after 4-month absence when very good ¾-length third of 9 to Cusack in handicap at this C&D 7 days ago, having been caught further back than ideal. Should be in the mix once again.

Form: 57413-3

(12)

Wyvern^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Ryan Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: P Morris| OR: 62| BF| CD

12/1

C&D winner. Latest win here in November. Failed to build on second here in December when 3/1, seventh of 10 in a handicap at this course (7.1f) 13 days ago but could bounce back now racing over 1m again.

Form: 41462-7

(4)

Yorkstone^t1²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Lewis Chalkley⁽⁷⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 62| D

22/1

Below form when 22/1, eleventh of 12 in handicap at Southwell (7.1f) 24 days ago, although not helped by blindfold being removed late. Tongue strap on for first-time but others appeal more.

Form: 278600-

(3)

Parish Councillor^p1¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Billy Loughnane| T: T D Barron| OR: 61| BF| CD

12/1

Well-supported in market when fifth of 9 in handicap at this course (10.2f) 13 days ago, possibly not seen to best effect at the trip. Interesting back to a mile in first-time cheekpieces, especially with positive jockey booking.

Form: 89885-5

(10)

Volenti¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: A Mullen| T: B Haslam| OR: 61| CD

5/1

Fine record here over the autumn/winter, winning three times. Possible excuses for below-par efforts last twice and remains of interest in a race of this nature.

Form: 12116-6

Forecasts

Time Tested (5/2), Volenti (5/1), Miners Gamble (5/1), Cusack (17/2), Hartswood (9/1), Breakwater (11/1), Wyvern (12/1), Parish Councillor (12/1), Electric Avenue (14/1), Yorkstone (22/1), L'Ennemi (28/1), Mariner (33/1)

MINERS GAMBLE shaped with encouragement on his first run for 4 months when third here in a race that wasn't run to suit. He's marginally preferred to Time Tested who won over 10f last week and can still be a threat back at a mile. Electric Avenue could build on her recent win for new connections while Wyvern can bounce back having not been seen to best effect over 7 furlongs last time.