19:45 Newcastle

Friday 7 March 2025

All17:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

BetMGM: It's Showtime Classified Stakes

Off time: 19:46 | Winning time: 1m 43.32s

(5)

Martin's Brig^b⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: Rhys Elliott⁽⁷⁾| T: D Thompson| OR: 48| CD

4/1

With Rhys Elliott on board, opened his account for the year when making all in 8-runner handicap (11/1) at this C&D 6 days ago by length from Pop Favorite. Can make another bold bid returned to this grade.

Form: 253541

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(4)

Danehill Star^p¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Jack Doughty⁽³⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 46

15/2

Off the mark at Lingfield in January. However, well below form when seventh of 9 in handicap (12/1) at Lingfield (10f) 19 days ago. Bounce back called for as he returns to this shorter distance.

Form: 57-5167

(1)

Fifty Sent^b³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Amie Waugh⁽³⁾| T: S England| OR: 46| C

11/4

Sole success came at this course (10.2f) in 2023 when trained by Michael Dods. However, only narrowly denied when second of 12 in minor event (7/1) at Southwell (8.1f) 3 days ago. Can make his presence felt.

Form: 677432

(3)

Morning Suit^t,v²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Grace McEntee| T: P S McEntee| OR: 43

40/1

Twelve runs since his only victory in 2023 and has been struggling for form, ninth of 11 in minor event (20/1) at Wolverhampton (7.2f) 25 days ago. Looks to be up against it.

Form: 08800-9

(7)

Pop Favorite^b⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Mikkel Mortensen⁽⁵⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 47| CD

5/2

Six-time C&D winner. Confirmed return to form when length second of 8 to Martin's Brig in handicap (9/1) at this C&D 6 days ago, having to wait for gap 2f out. Could be ready to take advantage of this drop back in grade.

Form: 5-47622

(6)

Retirement Beckons²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-9| J: P Mulrennan| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 43| CD

33/1

Seventeen runs since last win in 2024, which came at this C&D. Failed to come on for recent run when last of 10 in minor event (50/1) here 3 weeks ago, though had hopeless task from position. Others still preferred.

Form: 6447-70

(8)

Top Gun Tina⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Jonny Peate| T: D Thompson| OR: 45

7/1

Remains a maiden but ran one of better races when 2¾ lengths third of 8 to Martin's Brig in handicap (25/1) at this C&D 6 days ago, despite needing stronger gallop. Task is now to build on latest effort.

Form: 0-49483

(2)

Urban Dandy^p¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: D Nolan| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 48| C

8/1

Course winner but 27 runs since last success in 2023. Lesser effort when seventh of 11 in handicap (11/2) at this C&D 15 days ago, though went close here on penultimate start so he could fare better back down in grade.

Form: 2-59427

Forecasts

Pop Favorite (5/2), Fifty Sent (11/4), Martin's Brig (4/1), Top Gun Tina (7/1), Danehill Star (15/2), Urban Dandy (8/1), Retirement Beckons (33/1), Morning Suit (40/1)

POP FAVORITE has returned to form with runner-up efforts at this C&D on his last 2 starts, meeting trouble in running on his latest outing, so he is taken to go one better as he drops back into a classified event. Fifty Sent was beaten by only a nose at Southwell 3 days ago and could be thereabouts once more, with Martin's Brig also considered.