14:45 Newcastle

Thursday 4 June 2020

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:4018:15

Read Andrew Balding On Betway Insider Handicap

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 1m 26.19s

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Selected odds by:

(8)

Corked⁹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: A C Whillans| OR: 65| C

25/1

Triple winner here over 1m2f, the best of them coming in January, when 4lb lower. Wasn't as effective in two runs since, both in higher grade. Should appreciate the drop in class, but has to prove she is as effective back down in trip.

Form: 341-155

(7)

Absolute Dream²⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 65

12/1

Soft ground turf scorer (6f) in 2018 as a novice, and posted several respectable efforts in defeat last summer over 6f/7f. Some of that form entitles him to plenty of respect from today's mark, and he appeared to handle this surface on his only try.

Form: 853475-

(9)

Highlight Reel¹⁹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 65| D

33/1

Dual winner at Newmarket over this trip, but has now gone 16 races and almost two years since the more recent of those. Would have claims based on some of his form of around a year ago, but yet to win when fresh.

Form: 080400-

(11)

Devil's Angel⁴²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Megan Nicholls⁽³⁾| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 65| BF| CD

7/1

Got off the mark in a C&D novice event last year, when fresh. Raced keenly and then finished lame on handicap debut back here in only subsequent start (joint favourite). Since gelded and returns from 4lb lower with claimer up. Interesting.

Form: 56/18-

(12)

Zodiakos^p³^{(ex 4)}

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: J P Sullivan| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 65| C| D

3/1

Carries a 4lb penalty after scoring here on over 1m on Monday, when the front pair were clear. Won from 2lb higher on turf last season, so has the ability to be heavily involved again, although hasn't won over this trip since 2015.

Form: 050-561

(6)

Bombastic¹⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: J Butler| OR: 64

5/1

Sole win came two years ago on turf (1m) when with Ed de Giles. Went close from higher marks both on turf and Polytrack last summer. Has shown little in three starts for this trainer, and only of interest if market vibes are strong.

Form: 23700-8

(4)

Ghathanfar⁸⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: L Morris| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 64| CD

11/2

Sole success came over C&D last September, when 8lb lower. Up 2lb here after being beaten just ¾L over C&D when last seen in March. Can't rule him out, but clearly needs to eek out a bit more to be winning again.

Form: 0313-93

(10)

Thaayer^p1,t⁸⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Herrington| OR: 62| C

7/1

Scored here in novices' company (1m, first-time tongue-tie) on his first start for Rebecca Menzies in 2018. Handicapper appears to have over-estimated his abilities subsequently (has also had wind surgery). Handy mark, but has had a few chances.

Form: 07-4883

(5)

Blazing Dreams^p¹³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Harrison Shaw⁽³⁾| T: B Haslam| OR: 60| BF| CD

11/1

All three of his wins have been here over 7f/1m, the most recent in January when 2lb lower. Held on both subsequent starts, and shows the inconsistencies of many at this level. Not written off, but needs to bring his 'A' game.

Form: 745-196

(1)

Dreamseller^p¹⁸⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 60

12/1

Sole success came on Wolverhampton's Tapeta (1m½f; first-time cheekpieces) last September, when 6lb lower. Sent off favourite on turf from today's mark since then, when close second. Claims if ready, but record when fresh none too encouraging.

Form: 213028-

Non-Runners

(2)

Stone Mason³

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: M Appleby J: Non Runner

(3)

Rich Approach⁸⁶

Weight: 9-3| Age: 4

T: J D Bethell J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Zodiakos (3/1), Stone Mason (9/2), Bombastic (5/1), Rich Approach (5/1), Ghathanfar (11/2), Thaayer (7/1), Devil's Angel (7/1), Blazing Dreams (11/1), Absolute Dream (12/1), Dreamseller (12/1), Corked (25/1), Highlight Reel (33/1)

Moderate fayre and not many obvious contenders. Among them is Absolute Dream, whose best efforts give him claims, while Stone Mason looks worth monitoring for any market warmth. Rich Approach and Monday's winner Zodiakos are others of interest, but perhaps the most eyecatching runner on paper is C&D winner DEVIL'S ANGEL, who is unexposed and may be worth chancing first time back after an absence.