19:45 Newcastle

Friday 24 March 2017

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

sunbets.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 19:46 | Winning time: 1m 27.08s

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(4)

Tagur^p¹³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 67

9/2

Eight race maiden as a juvenile, but has recorded a number of placed efforts since being gelded in July 2016, including when no match for the decisive George Peckham trained scorer Iftitah over C&D in October. Returns from a five month break with a chance.

Form: 35225-6

(5)

Rosemay²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: J P Sullivan| T: I Jardine| OR: 66

25/1

Ex Simon Crisford trained filly who was a comfortably held seventh of eight on her stable debut by the potentially useful Eyes On Asha in a 1m course maiden earlier this month. Likely to appreciate the switch to handicap company, and looks the sort to do better in time.

Form: 67-738

(8)

Man About Town¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: C Lee⁽⁵⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 66

11/4

Made all under a good ride from this jockey, keeping on strongly to take a 6f course Apprentice Handicap by 2½L a fortnight ago. This was a notable step up in what he'd achieved in five previous starts, and he finished last of six on his only other previous try over this trip (here in February). Runs from a 7lb higher mark tonight.

Form: 0-60110

(1)

Scala Regia¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 64

4/1

The decision to skip the sales with this filly was rewarded when she got the better of Hollywood Harry over this C&D a fortnight ago to score on her fourth career start (handicap debut). A 4lb rise would appear fair, and she must have every chance of following up now that she's on an upward curve.

Form: 6331

(2)

Magical Molly Joe⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: P Makin| T: T D Barron| OR: 64

16/1

Stayed on strongly and just failed by a nose when showing much improved form on her third career start over 6F here last month (Scala Regia; same terms was 1¾L third). Well worth a step up in trip despite being beaten over 7F on her debut, as she is a half-sister to 7F to 1m winning handicapper Father Bertie.

Form:

(6)

Canberra Cliffs¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: P Hanagan| T: D E Cantillon| OR: 63

11/4

Ex David Wachman trained filly who had shown little in two starts on the AW since switched to this trainer since December 2016, but was noted as unlucky in the run on her third start (after a three month break) at Lingfield recently. Stables first ever AW runner at Newcastle, with former Champion Jockey booked, so one to watch closely for market support now upped to 7F.

Form: 85-6513

(7)

Stretewise²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: S A Gray| T: J Ward| OR: 61

40/1

Handicap debutant (rated 61) who has shown little signs of ability in three starts in maiden company at this track (6f to 1m). Makes little appeal.

Form: 0-5724

(3)

Magic Journey^b¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 55

12/1

An eight race maiden whose best runs have generally come on Tapeta (twice placed at Wolverhampton), but has work to do to reverse placings with Scala Regia (approximately 4L fifth) on their respective efforts over C&D two weeks ago.

Form: 93-8357

(9)

Kazanan²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: A Mullen| T: M Dods| OR: 50

16/1

Didn't show a great deal in turf maidens between April and June 2016, but made a sizeable step forward on her AW and handicap debut off a nine month break when staying on well to get within 2L of African Grey over C&D earlier in the month. Stronger jockey booked, and holds a clear chance if continuing to progress.

Form: 876-28

Forecasts

Man About Town (11/4), Canberra Cliffs (11/4), Scala Regia (4/1), Tagur (9/2), Magic Journey (12/1), Kazanan (16/1), Magical Molly Joe (16/1), Rosemay (25/1), Stretewise (40/1)

An open looking handicap, which is full of improving types (in their grade), with a few dark horses added to the mix which makes this a potentially tricky puzzle to solve. Both Man About Town and Magical Molly Joe step up in trip after posting solid runs here over 6F. The former is upped 7lb for a course success, whilst the latter was staying on strongly over shorter on her third career start, and is bred to stay further. Its feasible that C&D winner Scala Regia can improve past Magical Molly Joe now that she's off the mark switched to handicaps, and she's likely to get a typical strong ride from Luke Morris, whilst Tagur has fair placed form at this track. Canberra Cliffs is worth a check for any sign of sustained market support, but KAZANAN just gets the nod, with strong late race progress to be expected from Michael Dods much improved filly.