19:15 Newcastle

Saturday 21 January 2017

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:4521:15

Sunbets.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 19:16 | Winning time: 1m 38.73s

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(6)

Showboating¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: Lewis Edmunds⁽⁷⁾| T: J Balding| OR: 82

11/1

Runner up to the thriving Mithqaal on the Southwell Fibresand last week, having also had the bad luck to meet that rival previously in December. Only tenth on his sole visit to Newcastle (AW) but that was over an inadequate 6f.

Form: 000409

(1)

Like A Diamond^b,h¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Ben Robinson⁽⁷⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 80

50/1

A two time AW winner for Evan Williams in 2014 (both on this surface at Wolverhampton), but has been hurdling since September without success for this stable. Finished third on sole Tapeta start at Newcastle in July (1m2f maiden).

Form: 69PP/38-

(8)

Testa Rossa^b¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: George Downing⁽³⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 80

5/1

Has absolutely blossomed on this track since September, winning four races and seeing his mark rise from 62 to today's 80. Up 4lbs for an authoritative victory here in early January, but got a good seam to challenge that day (from the rear) and this is his stiffest task to date.

Form: 450391

(3)

Ansaab^p,t³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: B A Curtis| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 79

25/1

A two time AW winner who had a spell over hurdles in October for Laura Morgan. Weakened after making the running on stable debut over 1m2f at Lingfield last month, and this straight track is a tough place to try those tactics even allowing for a drop back two furlongs.

Form: 236636

(9)

Roller¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Nathan Evans⁽³⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 78

4/1

Ex French, and landed a gamble when making a winning stable debut in December in a C&D maiden. Allocated an opening mark of 77 (up 1lb here to 78), and again ran well over an inadequate 7f here earlier this month when seeing off all bar Dutch Art Dealer. Respected.

Form: 28

(2)

Eurystheus^p,t⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Alistair Rawlinson⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 77

16/1

Won from this mark over ten and a half furlongs at Chester in July (as far removed from this test as you can get), and whilst finishing second at Wolverhampton in November, he was well held by the winner. Needs to show more to get his head in front, but never readily discounted hailing from this yard.

Form: 668526

(11)

Zain Emperor³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: G Lee| T: J Butler| OR: 77

7/1

Previously with Charlie Fellowes, and wore a visor on his sole success for that yard at Yarmouth (1m) in June. Perhaps found 1m2f too far on recent stable debut at Lingfield, and well worth a try at this track, with surface aside, not totally unlike Yarmouth.

Form: 267176

(12)

Eastern Dragon^p⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 76

16/1

5 time winner from 33 starts on the AW (a record he also holds with perfect symmetry on turf), and stayed on strongly to score over C&D for Lewis Edmunds on his first try at this track in October (off a mark of 72). Hasn't been able to match that effort in two starts since, but too early to write off from just a 4lbs higher mark.

Form: 406156-

(10)

Warfare¹⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Barry McHugh| T: T J FitzGerald| OR: 75

40/1

Absent since August 2016, and last seen contesting Lady Amateur Riders races during that period. Has won on the AW in the past but not since January 2015, and largely below par since the summer of 2015.

Form: 8-36724

(14)

Cadeau Magnifique^p³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 74

5/1

A winner at Nottingham in May 2015, but has developed a run of seconditis filling the runner up spot in each of his last four races. Whilst that clearly hasn't helped his mark, he has every chance of turning round a running with Testa Rossa, that saw him beaten by only a neck here in November (now 9lbs better off).

Form: 500222

(5)

Rock Warbler^h,t¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: K Stott| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 73

4/1

Unbeaten at this track (three from three), with his trainer also five from six here on Tapeta. His mark has risen from 57 to 73 since the first of those successes in October, but he allayed any stamina fears at this trip last time, and as a 6/7 & 8f winner here is much respected despite the rise.

Form: 021415

(7)

Polar Forest^e/s¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: D C Costello| T: R C Guest| OR: 72

33/1

Made the running before folding quickly over 1m2f here in a classified stakes on his last start and hard to know what is truly his best trip. Wouldn't want to replicate those front running tactics over this straight mile.

Form: 275-478

(4)

Kiwi Bay⁴³

Age: 12| Weight: 8-10| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 69

66/1

C&D winner (claimer) who has struggled in handicap company here on his last three starts. Now aged 12, is likely to toil again here.

Form: 081434

(13)

So It's War^v1²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Shirley Teasdale⁽⁵⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 69

16/1

Sports the first time visor, and ran well here in October when runner up to Eastern Dragon and has good claims to reverse that form on better terms, but gradually lost his way since so needs the visor to have a positive impact.

Form: 683383

Forecasts

Rock Warbler (4/1), Roller (4/1), Testa Rossa (5/1), Cadeau Magnifique (5/1), Zain Emperor (7/1), Showboating (11/1), Eastern Dragon (16/1), So It's War (16/1), Eurystheus (16/1), Ansaab (25/1), Polar Forest (33/1), Warfare (40/1), Like A Diamond (50/1), Kiwi Bay (66/1)

Plenty of Newcastle regulars renew battle in this maximum field straight mile cavalry charge. Both Testa Rossa and Rock Warbler are fully signed up members of the Tapeta appreciation society and have thrived here over recent months, but maybe the handicapper will finally begin to stunt their growth tonight. The visor could work the oracle for So It's War, whilst Roller looks likely to be suited by a return to this trip. However, a chance is taken that EASTERN DRAGON can replicate his October C&D success from just a four pounds higher mark in the capable hands of Callum Rodriguez. 1. Eastern Dragon 2. Roller 3. Testa Rossa