15:00 Newcastle

Thursday 12 January 2017

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

Betway Marathon Handicap

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 3m 39.13s

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(7)

Zakatal²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: D C Costello| T: R Menzies| OR: 82

12/1

Has never won off a mark this high and generally shows his best form around Wolverhampton but proved effective around here last time finishing second of nine over C&D. That form has received a few boosts since and it's possible he will come on for that run so very much respected in here.

Form: 52-2261

(2)

River Dart⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: L Morris| T: A W Carroll| OR: 77

10/1

Inconsistent type who ran no sort of race around Lingfield last time. Second the time before though and if he can return to that sort of form he would certainly have a chance but he's hard to predict and both wins have come on turf.

Form: 33-8556

(8)

Mister Fizz^p³⁰²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Nathan Evans⁽³⁾| T: Miss I Pickard| OR: 77

40/1

Looks well-handicapped on the Flat based on his hurdles form and won off a mark three pound higher in this sphere at Haydock in 2014. Has won on the AW but may need this run after a break.

Form: 5740/4-8

(1)

Grand Meister²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: Josh Quinn⁽⁷⁾| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 76

40/1

Badly out of form of late and barely beaten a rival home on last four starts but has fallen to his last winning mark as a result. Has won on the tapeta but he doesn't look like one to reply upon.

Form: 2569-96

(4)

Mister Bob^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: T Hamilton| T: J D Bethell| OR: 76

6/1

Smart hold-up performer who has won three of his last five starts (one over C&D). Off a career high mark and disappointing last time out but he was returning from a break there and if he comes on for that he's the one to beat here.

Form: 11616-5

(6)

Isharah¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 82

10/11

Finished second behind a smart horse in Petit Jack three starts back and finally got his head in front last time after a string of placed efforts. He gives the impression the step up in trip will suit but he was disappointing when last tried over further than 1m4f so that tempers enthusiasm slightly.

Form: 113275

(3)

Wrap Star^t,v²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: M Harley| T: A McCann| OR: 70

6/1

Still a maiden after 22 starts but this might be a little less competitive than the races he's been contesting in Ireland. Feasibly handicapped on bits of his form so he's worth considering.

Form: 6-66765

(5)

Wordiness^p1⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: A Mullen| T: P D Evans| OR: 68

14/1

More than a stone below his last winning mark and has won on this surface at Wolverhampton. However, he has finished tailed off on many of his recent starts including last week over C&D and he needs the headgear (not tried any headgear for four years) to spark a revival.

Form: 744335

(9)

Royal Flag^p¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: T Eaves| T: B Ellison| OR: 61

22/1

Unplaced on six starts since leaving Godolphin and still a maiden. Disappointing when last seen at this course recently and tough to fancy off the back of that run.

Form: 90-4121

Forecasts

Isharah (10/11), Mister Bob (6/1), Wrap Star (6/1), River Dart (10/1), Zakatal (12/1), Wordiness (14/1), Royal Flag (22/1), Mister Fizz (40/1), Grand Meister (40/1)

MISTER BOB was thriving on the all-weather throughout last summer and if he comes on for his reappearance over C&D, he's taken to resume his progress. Isharah has been running consistently well of late and ought to be in the shake-up providing he's not caught out by the step up in trip. Any market support for Irish raider Wrap Star could prove significant on his UK debut. 1. Mister Bob 2. Isharah 3. Wrap Star