19:15 Newcastle
Friday 31 March 2017
All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45
sunbets.co.uk Handicap
- 3YO plus | Class 4 | 7f 14y | Standard | 11 Runners | Allweather | Weighed In
- Off time: 19:16 | Winning time: 1m 27.26s
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Four time winner on turf from 30 career starts, but yet to race on synthetics, and returns having been absent since early October 2016. Rock solid over 1m, but this stiff 7f should pose few problems, and scrapes in this grade, a ¾L runner up in Class 3 company at Ripon in August 2016.
In fine fettle at this track for the majority of the AW season, but the handicapper has reacted accordingly, and tonight's draw could have undoubtedly been much kinder. Impossible to totally rule out a four time course winner over the past six months, but he's slightly stronger over a mile and place prospects are more realistic.
Stablemate of Abushamah, and unbeaten in his sole start on synthetics (a 7F Lingfield maiden for Richard Hannon in April 2014). Has gone onto win a further three times on turf in 20 starts, including twice over this trip in 2016 (at Wetherby and Musselburgh), but has been off since mid September 2016.
Somewhat of a Flat flag-bearer for his Middleham based handler, having contested races at the likes of York and Newmarket during 2016. Once with Charles Hills, and has a record of two from six on the AW. Absent since landing a C&D handicap in October 2016 by a neck from My Dad Syd (Athollblair Boy third) from a 2lb lower mark.
AW maiden (0 from 10) and generally most effective over a mile on turf, and one to keep an eye on at Musselburgh, as he demonstrated in June 2016 (when beaten a neck by tonight's rival Slemy).
Locally trained, but has a string of 'duck eggs' to his name, and hasn't beaten a single rival home in each of his last three starts, including when last seen over this C&D in early October 2016. However, won twice during March and April 2016 (once on Tapeta; on sole other AW start), so this could feasibly be his time of year.
Far from disgraced (AW debut) when fifth of eight in a race won by Swift Emperor (1m) earlier this month on his return to action from a break, but disappointing on his latest course run, and now dropped back to 7F, which is a trip he's not run over since April 2014 (all runs over further).
Rewarded for a couple of consistent placed efforts at this track over a mile when keeping on strongly to score by 1¾L from Art Obsession in a 6F Class 5 handicap here a month ago. This 7F trip promises to be ideal, but this is a grade higher, and he's up 6lb for that victory.
In good form over C&D in the autumn of 2016, twice nudged out in driving finishes. Firstly when going under by a short head to Mon Beau Visage (caught close home), and then when a neck and a short head third to Amood. 2lb better off with that rival tonight, with each horse returning from a five month break.
Formerly with Richard Hannon, and was a 6F maiden winner on his debut for this stable in November 2016. Had subsequently struggled in handicaps before an improved effort when fourth to Foolaad (6F), and now 7lb better off with that rival, but needs to prove he's as effective over further.
Dual winner for Sir Mark Prescott (including over C&D), but moved on for 22,000 gns at Newmarket in February 2017. Once paced fifth to Gilgamesh on recent Wolverhampton stable debut and possibly handicapped out of things for now despite being respectful of a C&D record which reads 2,1.
Forecasts
Foolaad (7/2), Espresso Freddo (4/1), Athollblair Boy (4/1), Tadaawol (7/1), Amood (17/2), Shamaheart (12/1), Testa Rossa (12/1), Trinity Star (20/1), Slemy (20/1), Abushamah (25/1), Avenue Of Stars (33/1)
A wide open 7F Handicap which is an extremely tricky puzzle to solve. Amood and Athollblair Boy are closely matched on their C&D form from the autumn, but it's a guessing game as to which will come back fitter after five months off the track. Espresso Freddo has a strong C&D record for his previous trainer Sir Mark Prescott, but this 22,000 gns purchase now looks high in the weights. Similar comments apply to Testa Rossa, whilst stablemates Abushamah and Slemy are classy enough on their day, but turf campaigns likely await these returning top-weights. Therefore, with no concerns regarding the trip, and only more minor ones as to draw, grade, and a 6lb rise, recent 6F course winner FOOLAAD is just the pick.
- Foolaad
- Amood
- Testa Rossa
Prize Money
1st: £5,175.002nd: £1,540.003rd: £770.004th: £385.00
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