17:30 Newcastle

Thursday 20 March 2025

All17:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Gamble Responsibly At BetUK Handicap (GBB Plus Race)

Off time: 17:31 | Winning time: 2m 10.3s

(10)

Asgard's Captain¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 86| CD

11/4

3-time C&D winner, including in this 12 months ago. 7/1, good second of 7 in handicap at this C&D 19 days ago. Can give another good account.

Form: 41-6342

(2)

Cougar³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Mohammed Tabti⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 85| D

25/1

50/1 and visored for 1st time, last of 9 in handicap hurdle at Catterick (19.3f, good to soft) 38 days ago. Makes tapeta debut. First run for yard after leaving Ben Haslam with more needed.

Form: 23210/0-

(6)

Beraz¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 85| D

5/2

Had wind op/off 11 weeks before an encouraging fifth of 7 in handicap at this C&D 19 days ago. A likely player off a falling mark.

Form: 47365-5

(3)

Lord Protector²⁰⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 84| D

28/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2023. Thirteenth of 17 in handicap (40/1) at York (10.2f, good to firm). Off 6 months. Difficult ask.

Form: 229950-

(7)

Harappan⁵⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: J Butler| OR: 81

12/1

Lightly-raced winner. Last of 9 in handicap (7/1) at York (11.8f, soft) 18 months ago. Rejoined yard after leaving Iain Jardine with his fitness to prove.

Form: 3119/

(11)

Charlie's Choice⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Warren Fentiman⁽⁵⁾| T: D M Simcock| OR: 79

11/2

Three wins from 13 runs last year. Latest win at Wolverhampton in February. 15/2, good third of 8 in handicap at Southwell (11.1f) 6 days ago. Needs considering.

Form: 416133

(8)

Saturn Five⁶⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Mikkel Mortensen⁽⁵⁾| T: C Fellowes| OR: 77

7/1

Lightly-raced winner. 10/1 and hooded for 1st time, below form seventh of 18 in handicap at York (11.8f, good to firm). Off 22 months. Makes tapeta debut. Has good chance on pick of form.

Form: 31977/

(4)

Midnight Lion¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Lauren Young⁽⁷⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 74| BF| CD

15/2

4-time C&D winner. Latest win here in January. Good third of 7 in handicap at this C&D (11/4) 19 days ago. Not taken lightly.

Form: 114323

(1)

Value Added²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Aiden Brookes⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 74

125/1

First run since leaving Jamie Snowden when last of 12 in handicap at Southwell (8.1f, 150/1) 26 days ago. Up in trip.

Form: 21740/0

(5)

Simple Star²⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Hart| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 73| BF| D

66/1

Last of 8 in handicap (5/2) at Musselburgh (18.1f, good), slowly away. Off 6 months. Significantly down in trip. Others more persuasive.

Form: 250038-

(9)

Elemental Eye³³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: A Mullen| T: I Jardine| OR: 67

18/1

Creditable sixth of 10 in handicap at this course (12.4f, 12/1) 33 days ago, not knocked about. One for the shortlist.

Form: 5366-46

Forecasts

Beraz (5/2), Asgard's Captain (11/4), Charlie's Choice (11/2), Saturn Five (7/1), Midnight Lion (15/2), Harappan (12/1), Elemental Eye (18/1), Cougar (25/1), Lord Protector (28/1), Simple Star (66/1), Value Added (125/1)

A few with chances but BERAZ caught the eye on the back of breathing surgery when a recent C&D fifth and edges the vote from mulitple C&D scorer Midnight Lion. Saturn Five resumes from a lay-off on a lenient mark and also needs factoring in along with last year's winner Asgard's Captain.