18:50 Newcastle

Friday 19 May 2017

All17:4518:1518:5019:2019:5520:3021:00

Newcastle International Airport Handicap

Off time: 18:50 | Winning time: 3m 35.78s

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Selected odds by:

(10)

Gavlar^v²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: B A Curtis| T: W J Knight| OR: 94| CD

5/1

Finished ninth to Antiquariam in the 2016 Northumberland Plate and showed grit and determination to edge out the progressive Good Run by ¾L over C&D in March. Remains 4lb higher, but respected on the back of two fair efforts since.

Form: 08-4184

(3)

Champagne Champ²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: P Makin| T: B R Millman| OR: 93| D

8/1

Firmly on the up on turf during the latter part of last season (16lb higher than when successful at Ffos Las in July 2016), but did also beat Endless Acres at Salisbury in October. Back with a game runners up effort behind Rainbow Dreamer at Newbury last month (2m2f), and whilst 3lb higher this drop in trip will suit, and very lightly raced on the AW.

Form: 11516-2

(6)

Excellent Result³²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: P Hanagan| T: R Spencer| OR: 93| D

20/1

One-time Meydan Group 2 winner on the Flat for Godolphin, but lost his way somewhat on the level. Thrived since switched to hurdles by this trainer (twice a winner at Huntingdon and Kempton) and interesting to see whether that has rekindled his enthusiasm now switched back to the AW from a very fair mark of 93.

Form: 60705/0-

(1)

Isharah²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Hart| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 94| CD

10/1

Notched two of his three successive victories here during the winter, with this trip proving right up his street when beating Zakatal in January. Remained consistent since despite the inevitable hike in the weights, and probably better suited to returning to synthetics after racing twice on turf lately. Tough.

Form: 113275

(2)

Endless Acres^v³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 91| D

5/2

Heavily supported when upped to 2m for the first time at Kempton in early April and duly bolted up for this rider. Backed that up with another solid effort (third) from an 8lb higher mark, but is another 2lb higher tonight, so has to produce a career best to score, which is admittedly not totally out of the question.

Form: 2423-13

(4)

Flymetothestars²²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 91| C

5/4

Went into many notebooks when keeping on strongly to score by 1½L over 1m4f here in early October 2016 on just his third ever career start. Looks tailor made for this 2m trip, and whilst now 8lb higher, he looks just the type to be lining up in the Northumberland Vase or Plate next month. The sky is the limit this season.

Form: 161-

(5)

Zakatal⁷⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 9-0| J: D C Costello| T: R Menzies| OR: 86| CD

25/1

Thoroughly likeable and honest veteran who has thrived since purchased by this trainer. Continues to inch up the weights; raised 2lb for beating Fair Loch over C&D in March 2017, but with a track record here reading; 2,2,6,1 is always likely to be on the premises.

Form: 52-2261

(8)

Uncle Bernie^p³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-8| J: A Mullen| T: Sarah Hollinshead| OR: 74

40/1

Stayed on strongly to beat the solid yardstick Tuscan Gold by 2L at Pontefract (2m2f) early last month, and that form has been franked by the runner up. Goes well on the AW (four time winner) and this stiff galloping track should play to his strengths. Contender despite the rise in the weights.

Form: 30/2461

Non-Runners

(7)

Mijhaar²¹⁴

Weight: 9-4| Age: 9

T: D O'Meara J: P Makin

(9)

Red Rannagh²

Weight: 8-11| Age: 4

T: D M Simcock J: George Buckell

Forecasts

Flymetothestars (5/4), Endless Acres (5/2), Gavlar (5/1), Champagne Champ (8/1), Isharah (10/1), Mijhaar (10/1), Red Rannagh (12/1), Excellent Result (20/1), Zakatal (25/1), Uncle Bernie (40/1)

A thoroughly competitive handicap for the stayers which might provide some tentative early clues for the Northumberland Plate and Vase next month. Gavlar, Isharah and Zakatal are course regulars who have done their connections proud, but face tricky tasks from elevated marks. Uncle Bernie found a bucket-load of improvement when making a striking impression last month at Pontefract, whilst Excellent Result would comfortably have beaten these rivals in his Flat pomp for Saeed Bin Suroor. However the wait for FLYMETOTHESTARS has been longer than anticipated, but this lightly raced course winner steps up to 2m for the first time, with the sky promising to be the limit for him over staying trips this year. This race will surely bring him on with regards future targets, but he still rates as the selection nevertheless.