18:30 Newcastle

Friday 27 March 2026

All16:2517:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

SBK: No Casino Just Sports Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 18:30 | Winning time: 1m 14.64s

(4)

Pianoforte⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Dylan Hogan| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 69

5/1

Novice winner on final outing for Andrew Balding last summer but yet to fully fire in handicaps for current yard. Better signs when fourth of 12 over C&D in December, though not in the same form in 2 starts this year.

Form: 0774-79

(6)

Kings Merchant¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Cam Hardie| T: P A Kirby| OR: 69| D

17/2

4-time winner for previous yard but failed to build on promise shown on turf last season when well held at this course (7f) in September. Looked rusty on return when seventh of 10 over C&D 15 days ago and his mark has eased further as a result.

Form: 08740-7

(2)

Velvet Skies¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: C J Whiteley⁽⁷⁾| T: S Hanlon| OR: 68| D

5/1

Placed 3 times at Dundalk at the turn of the year for Michael Mulvany and had excuses on stable debut, meeting trouble in running when seventh of 11 at Southwell 17 days ago. Worth another chance.

Form: 52-2357

(1)

D Flawless^h1⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Hart| T: P T Midgley| OR: 68

9/1

Who had been campaigned over 7f/1m for previous yard, bounced back to form when third of 9 at Southwell (5f) in January. Failed to build on that when sixth of 11 here last time, but current stable is renowned for sprinters. Hood applied for first attempt at 6f.

Form: 9/907-36

(9)

Teardrops^b,t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Jack Callan⁽⁵⁾| T: R Spencer| OR: 62| CD

5/1

All 3 career victories over C&D and quickly left behind a lesser effort when second of 8 in apprentice event here 3 weeks ago, edged out only late one. Can make his presence felt with Jack Callan able to use his claim this time.

Form: 5-12302

(8)

Sherlock³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 62| C

2/1

Having spent his career running over further, relished the drop back to sprinting when opening his account over 5f here last month, well on top at the finish. Major player now that he's up and running.

Form: 23-8541

(5)

Miss Rainbow^p¹⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: William Pyle⁽³⁾| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 60| CD

33/1

Enjoyed a productive campaign last season, winning 4 times including over C&D. However, below form over 5f here on final outing in October and this is a higher grade on return from 6 months off (cheekpieces replace blinkers).

Form: 312527-

(3)

Elvetham¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Darragh Keenan| T: C Allen| OR: 56| BF| D

28/1

Not seen to best effect on final couple of starts last year and dropped back to 6f, made a winning return at Kempton early this month. Possibly found the race coming too soon 7 days later, though will need to get back on the up in this grade.

Form: 2966-17

(7)

Tickets^p1¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-5| J: A Mullen| T: B Haslam| OR: 51| CD

16/1

Resumed winning ways dropped into classified company for the first time over C&D last month. Tends to race freely, though, and found it tougher back in a handicap when third of 7 here 16 days ago. Needs to settle better tried in cheekpieces.

Form: 050-613

Forecasts

Sherlock (2/1), Teardrops (5/1), Pianoforte (5/1), Velvet Skies (5/1), Kings Merchant (17/2), D Flawless (9/1), Tickets (16/1), Elvetham (28/1), Miss Rainbow (33/1)

Having his first try over a sprint trip, SHERLOCK got off the mark with a cosy success at this course last time and he can follow up now connections look to have found the key to him. Three-time C&D winner Teardrops is feared most after a good second here 3 weeks ago, ahead of Velvet Skies.