16:15 Newcastle

Friday 17 January 2020

All15:1515:4516:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:45

Bombardier British Hopped Amber Beer Handicap

Off time: 16:17 | Winning time: 1m 42.19s

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Selected odds by:

(2)

First Response^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs L Stubbs| OR: 77| BF| CD

7/2

Scored here over C&D in October, when 3lb lower. Has maintained a good level of form (in context) since then, mainly over longer trips. Suffered traffic issues last time and if getting a clear run he should be thereabouts.

Form: 51772-4

(6)

Paparazzi¹⁷⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 77| CD

16/1

Dual scorer over C&D last year. Went close to repeating that from this mark two starts ago, and after pulling away his chance over further last time, he can't be ruled out back in trip.

Form: 177828-

(5)

Vive La Difference^b³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 76| CD

10/3

Running well here lately and has won back-to-back C&D races. Up 6lb and also in grade this time, but best turf efforts give him scope to possibly pull out a bit more. Should prove tough to beat.

Form: 448211-

(3)

Merricourt³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: P Mulrennan| T: I Jardine| OR: 76| D

10/1

Polytrack winner (1m) last September, when trained in Ireland. Was easy to back when well held on debut for this trainer over 7f at Wolverhampton last month. Could come into this after a 2lb drop.

Form: 533120-

(1)

Anif⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Phil Dennis| T: M Herrington| OR: 74| CD

15/2

16-1 winner of a 0-75 here in November, when fresh. 3lb higher than that today, but returns after another break, which might just be the key to him, and has to be taken very seriously after slight rise in grade.

Form: 371731-

(8)

Kupa River^h³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 74| D

11/4

Has won three times on turf, including over 1m. Scored on Wolverhampton's Tapeta (6f) when last seen on AW. Now 5lb higher, and not ruled out based on his best AW form.

Form: 330577-

(7)

The Game Of Life²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: T Eaves| T: M Herrington| OR: 72| D

40/1

Scored twice over 1m on Dundalk's Polytrack for Joseph O'Brien, but has yet to hit his straps in handicaps either for that trainer or this one. More needed.

Form: 063008-

(4)

Insurplus³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Corey Madden⁽⁷⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 69| CD

9/1

Loves it here, though has done all his winning at the track in lower grades. Beaten by Vive La Difference twice at the track recently and needs to raise his game.

Form: 510435-

Forecasts

Kupa River (11/4), Vive La Difference (10/3), First Response (7/2), Anif (15/2), Insurplus (9/1), Merricourt (10/1), Paparazzi (16/1), The Game Of Life (40/1)

Not an easy race to call, with both Vive La Difference and First Response serious players if bringing their 'A' game. However, the last-time C&D win by ANIF suggests that there could be a bit more to come from him from what is just a 3lb higher mark. It isn't easy to confidently rule many out, and Kupa River, Merricourt and Paparazzi could all make an impact.