20:45 Newcastle

Friday 31 March 2017

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

Betway Sprint Handicap

Off time: 20:46 | Winning time: 59.11s

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Selected odds by:

(3)

Orient Class³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: C Lee⁽⁵⁾| T: P T Midgley| OR: 77

16/1

Still an AW maiden (all six wins on turf), but has run well twice at this track in the past, including when going down by a neck to the then in-foal Coto in May 2016. Has risen in the weights since then thanks to a productive spell on turf (three wins last summer), but this track will suit much more than Southwell.

Form: 9-88262

(5)

Poppy In The Wind^v²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Josh Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: A D Brown| OR: 76

6/1

Dual C&D winner this winter, and appears to relish this track and surface, barely finishing outside of the frame here since late November 2016. High in the weights (rated 76) but likely to be on the premises.

Form: 212376

(6)

Art Collection¹⁷⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 76

14/1

Dual turf winner in 2015 for Gary Moore, but comfortably held by the handicapper from marks in the 80's throughout 2016. Makes Tapeta and stable debut (16,000 gns purchase in October 2016) on just his fourth career AW start.

Form: 68-1164

(1)

Lucky Beggar¹⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: D Allan| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 76

10/1

Runner up in a Class 2 handicap (5F) at Newmarket in June 2016 on his final start for Charles Hills (sold for £32,000), but little impression in four runs for this trainer last back-end, with his rating dropping 8lbs (84 to 76). 0 from 2 (career) on Polytrack, and makes Tapeta debut on seasonal return.

Form: 70-6243

(7)

Lydia's Place¹⁹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: D C Costello| T: R C Guest| OR: 75

25/1

Landed a turf hat-trick as a juvenile in the spring/summer of 2015 (all over 5F), but hasn't managed to get her head in front in nine races since, enduring a blank 2016. Last seen finishing 3L fourth of nine to Astrophysics from this mark at Beverley in September 2016.

Form: 604-351

(8)

Swirral Edge¹⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D H Brown| OR: 75

16/1

Twice successful on turf (on good and soft ground), so versatile in terms of racing surface. Makes her AW debut with a leading rider booked, and is now only 3lb higher than when scoring over 5F at Thirsk in August 2016.

Form: 1765-57

(2)

Extrasolar²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: S H James| T: G A Harker| OR: 75

66/1

No impression in two starts for this stable since leaving Amanda Perrett for 8,000 gns in October 2016. A six time turf winner for his previous trainer, but now boasts a record of 0 from 10 on the AW, and likely to need more than a 6lb fall in the weights (last two runs combined) to be involved.

Form: 29-0708

(14)

Royal Brave²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: P J McDonald| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 73

7/1

C&D winner in November 2016 (beat Pearl Acclaim by a head), and appeared fresh when restless in the stalls on his return to action here earlier this month. That fourth placed effort (from today's mark of 73) looks fair form with the winner a progressive sort, and the runner up Aprovado going in since. Likely to be finishing well and thereabouts.

Form: 31-4711

(11)

You're Cool³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Lewis Edmunds⁽⁵⁾| T: J Balding| OR: 72

4/1

In fine shape since January and already a dual Tapeta winner in this grade at Wolverhampton (both 5F) this year. Generally doesn't win with much in hand, so doesn't tend to go up the weights much and runs tonight from just a 3lb higher mark. Also has turf form closely linked with Orient Class (Nottingham, August 2016) and likely to go well for very strong 5lb claimer.

Form: 512193

(12)

Willbeme⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: Ben Robinson⁽⁷⁾| T: N Bycroft| OR: 70

12/1

One time most useful mare on turf, but has also had her fair share of problems, and is now seemingly on the decline at the age of nine. She's not shown anywhere near enough in three runs at this track to make a reduced mark of 70 appeal.

Form: 970-602

(13)

It Must Be Faith^v1³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: B A Curtis| T: M Appleby| OR: 68

10/1

Enjoyed a purple patch during 2014 when winning three out of four at one stage. Now very much on the slide in the weights, and went close behind Spirit of Wedza at Wolverhampton on his penultimate start. Possibly turned out too quickly when a beaten favourite next time, but a shade worrying to see the first time visor added.

Form: 77380-5

(4)

Indian Pursuit¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 65

7/1

Continues to go very well at this track, and was successful from a 6lb lower mark over C&D on his penultimate start in mid February. Narrowly denied by fellow course regular Windforpower next time, he continues to inch up the weights, but this rider appears to get the best from him and likely to be on the premises.

Form: 74636-2

(9)

Ambitious Icarus^e/s¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 8-10| J: Connor Beasley| T: R C Guest| OR: 64

7/1

C&D winner on his penultimate start, and not beaten far when upped to 6F from a 2lb higher mark next time. Likes to get involved late in proceedings, so no surprise to see his eye-shielded head flashing home strongest of all for pressure.

Form: 144585

Non-Runners

(10)

Berlios³⁰

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: T D Barron J: Non Runner

Forecasts

You're Cool (4/1), Poppy In The Wind (6/1), Ambitious Icarus (7/1), Royal Brave (7/1), Indian Pursuit (7/1), Berlios (7/1), Lucky Beggar (10/1), It Must Be Faith (10/1), Willbeme (12/1), Art Collection (14/1), Orient Class (16/1), Swirral Edge (16/1), Lydia's Place (25/1), Extrasolar (66/1)

This race is likely to unravel deep inside the final furlong with the likes of Ambitious Icarus and ROYAL BRAVE set to be flashing home late. A plethora of course form is available to analyse, and one can tie themselves up in knots in weights and measures, but it's safe to say it would be no surprise at all to see the likes of Indian Pursuit and Poppy In The Wind involved. Both You're Cool and Orient Class have interwoven form lines and are respected with the former making giant strides on Tapeta at Wolverhampton in 2017. However, the vote goes to the Rebecca Bastiman trained C&D winner Royal Brave who remains on a fair mark, and may not be quite as fresh and keen as on his return to the track earlier this month; not that there's too much wrong with his fourth placed effort behind the progressive Just Us Two.