15:15 Newcastle

Sunday 2 January 2022

All11:5512:2512:5513:3014:0514:4015:15

MansionBet Beaten By A Head Handicap

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 1m 27.73s

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(7)

Homer Stokes¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Connor Beasley| T: T D Barron| OR: 77| D

6/4

Lightly-raced 4-y-o. Career best when winning 11-runner handicap (15/2) at Southwell (7.1f) 16 days ago, driven out. Good chance again.

Form: 1471-

(2)

Sir Benedict^h¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 74

33/1

Thirteen runs since last win in 2020. First run since leaving Charlie Fellowes when seventh of 10 in handicap (28/1) at Southwell (6.1f) 17 days ago. Needs to step up to figure here.

Form: 222467-

(5)

Old News^b³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Joanna Mason⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L Stubbs| OR: 74| D

11/2

Eased in weights and ran well when second over 1m here in November, challenging 1f out and keeping on. Not in same form over C&D last time but no surprise to see a better showing back down in class.

Form: 848525-

(4)

Bulls Aye^h²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: A Mullen| T: I Jardine| OR: 72| D

22/1

Landed 7f minor event at 2 yrs. Consistent rather than progressive on the level last year but offered little making hurdles debut at Musselburgh last month. Makes AW debut back on the level now.

Form: 346467-

(1)

Mawkeb⁸³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Watson| T: M Appleby| OR: 70

7/2

Didn't kick on from his debut promise in a pair of maiden/minor events at up to 11f last year. However, joined a yard who do particularly well with such recruits and worthy of note now handicapping.

Form: 5/85-

(3)

Distinction¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 63| D

13/2

5/1, creditable 2¾ lengths fifth of 11 to Homer Stokes in handicap at Southwell (7.1f) 16 days ago, slowly away. Mark looks about right on balance.

Form: 122065-

(6)

Thaayer¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: G Lee| T: M Herrington| OR: 63| CD

11/2

C&D winner. Good third of 14 in handicap at Southwell (8.1f, 28/1) 11 days ago, having fallen back to last winning mark. Needs to back that up now.

Form: 320803-

Forecasts

Homer Stokes (6/4), Mawkeb (7/2), Old News (11/2), Thaayer (11/2), Distinction (13/2), Bulls Aye (22/1), Sir Benedict (33/1)

Having shaped with some promise initially, expensive yearling MAWKEB didn't kick on as expected in a couple of races last year. However, he's since joined a yard that do well with such recruits and, on the back of being gelded/now handicapping it would come as no surprise to see an improved showing. Old News down in class and Southwell scorer Homer Stokes can also feature.