16:30 Newcastle

Thursday 16 January 2020

All15:5516:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:00

Bombardier British Hopped Amber Beer Handicap

Off time: 16:34 | Winning time: 1m 40.24s

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Selected odds by:

(10)

Mime Dance⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: Miss Sophie Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: J Butler| OR: 50| D

28/1

Generally sent-off at big odds in recent times with the occasional spark of form; including a win at Lingfield (1m) back in June. Wasn't beaten far in a similar event under this rider at Chelmsford (1m) last time and has place claims.

Form: 01079-5

(7)

Palazzo^p,t⁹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 45| D

4/1

Combination of tongue-tie, cheekpieces and Fibresand have seen him in better form the last thrice, winning a classified race at Southwell (1m) last week by 1L. Ran well twice here as a two-year-old and that recent form is amongst the best on offer.

Form: 6/0074-1

(9)

Melabi³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: D C Costello| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 47

10/1

Hasn't run over this trip since 2016 but not disgraced the last twice at Wolverhampton (1m4f/1m1½f), beaten less than three lengths on each occasion. The drop in trip is a concern but has claims if he doesn't find things happening too quickly.

Form: 177644-

(13)

Uponastar⁶⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: P Mulrennan| T: B Haslam| OR: 46

28/1

Has barely shown any form in seven starts. Her C&D run two starts ago was her best and this race is considerably easier than anything she has contested before but after finishing last of twelve here (6f) last time, others are preferred.

Form: 880860-

(1)

Kodi Koh⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: A Mullen| T: S G West| OR: 46| C

4/1

Has been consistent in defeat in her last three starts behind the red-hot Corked. Drops to 1m and will need a good gallop to aim at but holding her form better than most and this drop a grade is a positive.

Form: 25553-4

(5)

Amood^b²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: Jamie Gormley| T: S G West| OR: 46| C| D

6/1

Course winner who bounced back to form when third, beaten 1¾L, here (7f) last month. Is 18lb below his last winning mark in July 2018 and has won over this trip so can't be entirely dismissed if building on that last effort.

Form: 090473-

(14)

Hunters Step^t1²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Faye McManoman⁽⁵⁾| T: N Tinkler| OR: 45

9/1

Only had six starts, showing moderate form to date. There was more of a glimmer last time on stable debut here (7f) when beaten 5L into seventh and that will need improving upon again up in trip with a tongue-tie added.

Form: 705937-

(12)

Perfect Soldier^p¹³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: S P Davis⁽³⁾| T: W Storey| OR: 45

20/1

Showed some fair form in Ireland in 2017 but his form for his previous yard was mostly disappointing. Beaten 43L in a selling handicap at Chelmsford (1m2f) when last seen in September and best watched on debut for new trainer here.

Form: 964000-

(6)

Zarkavon^p³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: T Eaves| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 45

22/1

A maiden after 30 starts; she was placed twice last year (including here) was generally inconsistent. Well beaten on her two runs since returning from a break and yard haven't had a winner for over two years.

Form: 734870-

(4)

One Last Hug³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Phil Dennis| T: J S Goldie| OR: 45

8/1

Nine-race maiden who is yet to trouble the judge. Well beaten on his last two starts at Southwell (7f) and here (1m2f) and is hard to fancy on what we've seen so far.

Form: 974509-

(2)

Highwayman⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: D Thompson| OR: 45| CD

40/1

Did win twice in early 2018 (including over C&D) but has been regressive since then. Tailed off on his last three starts, all over hurdles, and easy enough to pass over on recent evidence.

Form: 852805-

(8)

Lord Rob⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: Harrison Shaw⁽³⁾| T: D Thompson| OR: 45

100/1

Didn't run too badly when fifth here (7f), beaten 3L, three runs ago but has trailed home last in his two runs since, both over C&D. Still yet to win after 43 outings and unlikely to make it 44th time lucky.

Form: 08550-0

(3)

Captain Peaky^v¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Ben Robinson| T: L Bailey| OR: 45

20/1

Record stands at 0/34. Was second off a similar mark last March at Chelmsford (1m) but nothing in his form since then to be particularly enthusiastic about although he kept on after being keen at Southwell (1m3f) last time.

Form: 75068-4

(11)

Spit It Out¹²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Nicole Smyth⁽⁷⁾| T: R K Watson| OR: 50

12/1

Hasn't beaten a rival in three starts in Ireland. Missed the break on the first two, however, and stumbled last time mid-race, none of which would help. Receives 20lb weight-for-age allowance here and market positivity noteworthy on handicap debut.

Form: 600-

Forecasts

Palazzo (4/1), Kodi Koh (4/1), Amood (6/1), One Last Hug (8/1), Hunters Step (9/1), Melabi (10/1), Spit It Out (12/1), Perfect Soldier (20/1), Captain Peaky (20/1), Zarkavon (22/1), Mime Dance (28/1), Uponastar (28/1), Highwayman (40/1), Lord Rob (100/1)

Given his recent winning form at Southwell and the fact he has ran well here previously, it is hard to look away from PALAZZO, given the paucity of form shown recently by his rivals. Kodi Koh has been consistent at this course recently and this drop in grade may help negate a drop in trip whilst Spit It Out is completely unexposed, had excuses for her big defeats in Ireland and receives a big weight allowance for a trainer whose two AW winners in Britain both came at this venue.