17:20 Newcastle

Thursday 29 June 2017

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:2017:55

Betfred 'Supports Jack Berry House' Handicap

Off time: 17:22 | Winning time: 1m 26.61s

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Selected odds by:

(7)

That Is The Spirit¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 101| D

7/2

All six of this one time Listed winners victories have come over this trip, including at Chelmsford on his return to action in April. Edging up the weights, but ran well for a long way in a Group 3 contest (solo) at Haydock latest and this is weaker.

Form: 169-136

(5)

Right Touch³³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 98| D

9/2

Has a better strike rate over 6F, and struggled late on over this trip in a York handicap won by Golden Stunner last month. That said, likely to be competitive if able to reproduce his C&D third to Steel Train in December.

Form: 6703-55

(8)

Accession³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Martin Lane| T: C Fellowes| OR: 96| D

8/1

Didn't get a run at Royal Ascot but has plenty of solid past career form including when a 2L runner up to Dutch Law at Newmarket in August 2016. Probably not at his sharpest yet this term, but handles Polytrack, so no reason why Tapeta should pose any problems.

Form: 8233-58

(1)

War Department^v⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Connor Beasley| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 91| CD

3/1

Solid on the AW (mainly at this track) over the winter months but rising steadily in the weights as a result and whether his form is strong enough in this grade is up for discussion. Not beaten too far when third to Nicholas T at Ayr last weekend, but this draw isn't ideal.

Form: 412643

(6)

Penwortham^h¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 90| D

8/1

Caught in the shadow of the post by Fastnet Tempest at Chester (7F+) in late May but only rear division in a difficult York handicap since. Feasible that Chester suits him best (2,1,2 at track), but also 1 from 1 on the AW having won a 5F Tapeta maiden at Wolverhampton in August 2015.

Form: 81-0920

(4)

Welliesinthewater^v²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: F Norton| T: D Shaw| OR: 89| D

14/1

Produced a career best performance to take a 7F handicap at Chelmsford by ¾L from Mount Tahan (That Is The Spirit third) in early May. Adores that Essex track, but importantly has won elsewhere on synthetics and makes his Newcastle debut seeking to bounce back from a poor showing on turf.

Form: 911910

(2)

Safe Voyage²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Josh Quinn⁽⁷⁾| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 88| CD

5/1

Dual C&D winner in lesser company earlier this year, but returned to form on turf at Ayr earlier this month when readily seeing off Chaplin Bay and Jay Kay. Raised 4lb, and previously beaten by War Department over C&D in March so needs to produce even more to score.

Form: 110241

(3)

Florencio^p¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: P J McDonald| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 81

50/1

Has seemingly struggled to adapt to new surroundings since leaving the care of Marco Botti, and was well beaten over C&D by Chaplin Bay in April. Plenty to prove at the moment.

Form: 180850

Forecasts

War Department (3/1), That Is The Spirit (7/2), Right Touch (9/2), Safe Voyage (5/1), Accession (8/1), Penwortham (8/1), Welliesinthewater (14/1), Florencio (50/1)

A strong handicap but without an obvious standout contender. War Department and Safe Voyage are Newcastle regulars, and clashed here in March with the former named coming out on top. Both horses are respected at this track, but this is a better race with the likes of THAT IS THE SPIRIT and Right Touch heading the weights. The selection was behind Welliesinthewater at Chelmsford in early May, but has run well at a higher level since and looks a shade more versatile away from that Essex track.