(Race to re-open) 32red.com Maiden Auction Stakes

Off time: 18:16 | Winning time: 1m 2.6s

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(3)

Alfonso Manana^p²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P Hanagan| T: J G Given| OR: 69

2/9

Kept busy since making his debut at Chelmsford in December (last of nine) with four career starts all coming over 6f. Has shown gradual improvement against rivals that you'd not have expected him to beat, and placed the last twice at Wolverhampton. Given a mark of 69, and whether a drop back in trip is ideal is debatable, but in such a weak race, connections probably feel it's worth a go.

Form: 223356

(1)

Intense Romance²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods

11/2

13th foal and a €21,000 yearling by Intense Focus out of Hedera, and a half sister to eight winners. Makes her racecourse debut, but stable hasn't saddled a great deal of runners lately so difficult to gauge an overall impression of their horses well-being, but a contender in a weak race.

Form: 11436

(4)

Mia Wallace³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Shelley Birkett⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara

12/1

11th foal and a €11,000 yearling by Elzaam out of Perfectly Clear, and a half sister to seven winners. Makes her racecourse debut.

Form: 3

(2)

Spike's Princess¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P M Quinn| T: D Nicholls

18/1

£6,000 yearling and third foal by Bushranger out of Deportment who returns swiftly to this track after making her debut a fortnight ago over 6f when finishing last of seven to Ettu (fifth has finished second since). Drops back in trip to 5f.

Form: 7

Forecasts

Alfonso Manana (2/9), Intense Romance (11/2), Mia Wallace (12/1), Spike's Princess (18/1)

Even allowing for the untapped potential of two fillies making their racecourse debuts, a surefire contender for the worst maiden run on Tapeta at Newcastle to date. Both Intense Romance and Mia Wallace are with respected stables, so in such a weak race it would be no surprise to see either make a winning debut, but it is difficult to know what to expect without some 'inside' knowledge. ALFONSO MANANA has experience of Tapeta, and can make this count, having just about earned his moderate mark of 69 in four starts since December. He should get away with dropping back to the minimum trip at this stiffer track. 1. Alfonso Manana 2. Intense Romance 3. Mia Wallace