15:00 Newcastle

Saturday 16 December 2017

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:35

Betway Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 2m 42.88s

Settings

Selected odds by:

(10)

Modernism^v²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: S Donohoe| T: Ian Williams| OR: 62| D

16/1

Races off a mark 15lb lower than when last successful at Wolverhampton in January but form has tapered off quite badly during the second half of this year, beaten 52L latest over 1m6f. Questions to answer right now.

Form: 805460

(7)

Blue Skimmer¹¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: T Eaves| T: Nicole McKenna| OR: 61

16/1

Irish raider who is a 17-race maiden now, though he wasn't beaten far in a couple of turf handicaps at around this trip earlier in the year. Could easily get competitive if in that sort of form.

Form: 04-2300

(8)

Galilee Chapel^b²³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: A C Whillans| OR: 60| C| D

8/1

Landed an AW double around this time last year (1m2f here and 1m4f at Wolverhampton). Form dropped off on turf during the summer but hinted he was on the way back when third over C&D latest. Big chance off current mark.

Form: 970003

(6)

Manomine¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: S A Gray| T: R K Watson| OR: 57| D

16/1

Won a few races for Clive Brittain (including on the AW) and came good for this yard when winning over this trip at Musselburgh in July. First run since when well beaten at Dundalk earlier this month but could build on that.

Form: 204519

(1)

King Kevin^b¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: R Havlin| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 59

4/1

Finally came good at the ninth time of asking when winning at Chelmsford (1m2f) and duly followed up from a 7lb higher mark at Wolverhampton (extended 1m1f). Raised a further 4lb but the longer trip should suit so clear hat-trick chance.

Form: 573311

(3)

Theglasgowwarrior⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: J S Goldie| OR: 59

5/1

Unlucky not to win a race for Michael Bell, having placed on four occasions, but slightly underwhelming in two turf handicaps on soft ground for this yard so far. Mark is falling though and interesting to see how he fares on his AW debut.

Form: 232945

(11)

Acker Bilk³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: G Lee| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 58

6/1

No show in one run for David Lanigan but signs of improvement for this yard, finishing a 6L third in a maiden over 1m here last month. Significantly up in trip for his handicap debut and has to be of some interest.

Form: 943

(2)

Archibelle⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: J Garritty| T: R M Smith| OR: 56

33/1

Still a maiden after 10 races and, though she does have ability, hasn't looked the easiest of rides at times. Reasonable effort when a 4¾L third over C&D last month but others look more persuasive on balance.

Form: 465883

(9)

Aneedh^p,h1⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Cam Hardie| T: C A Mulhall| OR: 48| D

50/1

Has gone over three years and over 20 races without a win and hasn't shown enough in a light campaign to suggest the drought is about to end anytime soon, beaten 31L latest. First-time hood now reached for.

Form: 050-367

(4)

Fillydelphia^h²³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Paula Muir⁽⁷⁾| T: P Holmes| OR: 45| D

80/1

Just the two wins from 33 Flat starts, her latest win coming in June 2016. Having shown flashes of encouragement earlier in the year, she has totally gone off the boil of late and was pulled up over hurdles recently.

Form: 836890

(5)

Lucky Ellen⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: F Norton| T: J Candlish| OR: 49

9/4

Modest form in Irish maidens but encouraging debut for this yard last month when on soft ground at Beverley. Took a step backwards at Wolverhampton next time but early days and this longer trip could suit on her handicap debut.

Form: 74-5036

Forecasts

Lucky Ellen (9/4), King Kevin (4/1), Theglasgowwarrior (5/1), Acker Bilk (6/1), Galilee Chapel (8/1), Manomine (16/1), Blue Skimmer (16/1), Modernism (16/1), Archibelle (33/1), Aneedh (50/1), Fillydelphia (80/1)

King Kevin has proved a revelation of late and should mount a bold hat-trick bid over a longer trip which should suit, whilst Galilee Chappel showed enough over C&D last time to warrant interest considering he won twice around this time last year from higher marks. But, if there is any value in this division it could lie with either of the handicap debutants Acker Bilk or LUCKY ELLEN with the latter - Jennie Candlish's only runner on the card - making marginally more appeal.