15:55 Newcastle

Saturday 8 February 2025

All15:5516:2817:0017:3018:0018:3019:00

BetUK: It's Where The UK Bets Handicap (GBB Plus Race)

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 2m 40.68s

(4)

Northern Ruler^p1²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 88| CD

11/2

Made first start since leaving William Haggas a winning one at this C&D in January. Below form when eighth of 9 on handicap debut here (10.2f, 4/1) 22 days ago, but it remains early days for him with cheekpieces applied.

Form: 223-18

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(1)

Gaassee^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: Jack Morland| OR: 85| C| D

7/2

Thirteen runs since last win in 2022 but has made an encouraging start for current yard this year, conceding first run when second of 7 in handicap (11/1) at Kempton (11f) 17 days ago. Enters calculations back down in grade.

Form: 8/747-42

(7)

Knockbrex³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: J Mitchell| T: C Johnston| OR: 84| BF| D

11/2

Gained a first handicap success at Lingfield (12f) in January, before racing along unfavoured inside when third in 5-runner contest (10/11) at the same course (10f) 30 days ago. No surprise to see him bounce back.

Form: 5643-13

(5)

Sea Legend^h,t¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: D Nolan| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 81| C

40/1

Sole success at this course on last year's return when trained by James Fanshawe. Has been hurdling for current yard, racing closer to pace than ideal when ninth of 12 in handicap (16/1) at Catterick (15.7f, good) 17 days ago. Hood back on.

Form: 3-14825

(6)

Wind Your Neck In¹²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: T Eaves| T: S England| OR: 81| D

80/1

Ran well when second at Chester last summer. Not discredited when fifth of 7 in handicap at Ascot (16f, soft, 10/1) in October, but has to prove himself on all-weather as he makes first start since leaving David Evans.

Form: 1/92845-

(3)

Plage De Havre²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Watson| T: A M Balding| OR: 83

5/4

Upped in trip for handicap debut, showed further improvement when first past the post in 10-runner event at Southwell (12.1f, 7/2) 22 days ago, demoted to second having bumped rival. Could be thereabouts once more.

Form: 6/22-2

(2)

Midnight Lion⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 75| BF| C

6/1

Has won 4 times at this course, recording back-to-back victories (both at 10.2f) in January. Creditable third of 6 in handicap here (16.2f, 6/5) 4 days ago and he can give his running again back down in trip.

Form: 51-1143

Forecasts

Plage De Havre (5/4), Gaassee (7/2), Knockbrex (11/2), Northern Ruler (11/2), Midnight Lion (6/1), Sea Legend (40/1), Wind Your Neck In (80/1)

After a ready success at Lingfield in January, KNOCKBREX had excuses when unable to land the odds at the same course 6 days later, so he is taken to bounce back to winning ways with the return to this longer trip to suit. Plage de Havre has been progressing well with racing and is feared most, with Gaassee also considered.