18:15 Newcastle

Sunday 11 May 2025

All14:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:4518:1518:45

Border Minstrel Handicap

Off time: 18:15 | Winning time: 1m 26.26s

(3)

Cairdeas²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 80| D

16/5

Progressive in novice events last term, off the mark at third attempt at Newmarket (7f) in August. Best not judged too harshly on final 2 starts and, having been gelded, ran well returning from 6 months off when third of 9 in handicap at Ripon (6f) 24 days ago. Better not ruled out on AW bow.

Form: 63106-3

(1)

Oolong Poobong²⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 79| C

22/1

Confirmed debut promise when off the mark in 9-runner novice here (6f) in August and quickly dispelled her Wolverhampton blip next time when signing off with a very good second of 15 in nursery at Doncaster (6.5f) in September. Promises to do better again as a 3-y-o but drawn on the flank here.

Form: 2192-

(2)

Four Fifty¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: S H James| T: Craig Lidster| OR: 77| CD

8/1

Ulysses colt who made perfect start to career when landing 12-runner C&D novice last month. Similar form under a penalty when third behind a couple of useful prospects at Thirsk (1m) latest and switch to handicaps in his favour back on this surface.

Form: 13

(12)

Studious⁹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: J Mitchell| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 77| CD

11/1

Improver switched to handicaps over the winter, landing back-to-back contests at up to 8.5f. Unable to complete the hat-trick when last of 4 in 1m handicap here in February but given a break ahead of this and he could yet resume progress.

Form: 3591-14

(11)

Party Bear²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 75| BF| D

6/1

Upwardly mobile filly who followed up her breakthrough Wolverhampton victory in taking fashion at Southwell (7f) in April. Fared comfortably best of those held up (left with too much to do) when fifth at Lingfield (7f) on Good Friday and she remains of significant interest.

Form: 35-2115

(6)

Knights Gold^h¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 75| D

11/4

Going the right way this spring, showing a good attitude to open his account at Kempton (7f) and proved himself equally as effective on turf when following up in 12-runner handicap at Leicester (7f) 2 weeks ago. Claims up 5 lb in hat-trick bid.

Form: 804-511

(4)

Loving Apprentice²⁰²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Shepherd| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 74

40/1

Progressive daughter of Tasleet who posted a career best when winning 8-runner maiden at Pontefract (6f, heavy, 5/6) on final start at 2 yrs in October. Opening mark probably about right but she could yet have more to offer, including back at this trip.

Form: 7221-

(10)

Hot To Dot⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Kaiya Fraser⁽³⁾| T: G Tutty| OR: 72

11/1

Lightly-raced winner who was far too free after 5 months off to give herself a chance of getting home when seventh in 9-runner C&D handicap 6 weeks ago. That ought to have taken the freshness out of her and better showing not ruled out from a good draw.

Form: 1622-7

(9)

Andalprofit³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Alex Jary⁽⁵⁾| T: N Tinkler| OR: 71| C

8/1

Didn't pull up any trees in 5 runs as a juvenile but proved a different proposition after 7 months off/switched to AW when readily 9-runner handicap at this course (6f) 31 days ago, his effort backed up by the clock. This is tougher but he remains of interest given manner of that success.

Form: 65057-1

(7)

McKenna^t⁸⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 71| BF| D

8/1

Clearly perked up by the application of blinkers when readily opening his account at Wolverhampton (7f) in January. Confirmed improvement showed then when close-up third from 7 lb higher mark at Southwell (7f) the following month but this looks a tougher assignment.

Form: 455-813

(13)

No Nay Nevermind²¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: A Mullen| T: I Jardine| OR: 66

125/1

No Nay Never filly who displayed ability without looking the finishing article on 2 of her 3 starts in novice/maidens at around 6f last season. Goes handicapping after 7 months off in what looks a pretty warm race though, so progress will be required.

Form: 845-

(5)

Gesundheit¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Mark Winn| T: N Wilson| OR: 65

66/1

Was very well backed and showed much-improved form to make a successful handicap debut at Kempton (6f) on final start for Ed Walker in October. Sold 30,000 gns/gelded, shaped as if needing run after 6 months when last of 12 in handicap at Haydock (6f) 15 days ago. Will need to come forward plenty.

Form: 7091-0

Non-Runners

(8)

Law Degree²⁵

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: T D Easterby J: D Allan

Forecasts

Knights Gold (11/4), Cairdeas (16/5), Party Bear (6/1), McKenna (8/1), Andalprofit (8/1), Four Fifty (8/1), Hot To Dot (11/1), Studious (11/1), Law Degree (20/1), Oolong Poobong (22/1), Loving Apprentice (40/1), Gesundheit (66/1), No Nay Nevermind (125/1)

Already twice a winner in AW handicaps this spring, PARTY BEAR patently shaped better than the bare result having been left with a lot to do when fifth in a Lingfield handicap on Good Friday and, open to further progress, Karl Burke's filly looks of firm interest again. Andalprofit could hardly have been more impressive when making a winning return over 6f here 31 days ago and rates a big danger, along with the hat-trick seeking Knights Gold. Oolong Poobong is another to note.