17:45 Newcastle

Thursday 31 August 2023

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

William Hill Epic Boost Racing League Race 22 Handicap

Off time: 17:45 | Winning time: 2m 38.73s

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Selected odds by:

(11)

Lizzie Jean³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Cam Hardie| T: I Furtado| OR: 87

7/1

Did well on AW last year, gaining second career victory at Southwell (11.1f) in July and has finished runner-up on last 2 starts on turf, latest at York (11.8f, good) last month. Fancied to be bang there.

Form: 198-722

(7)

Nuits St Georges⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: P Mulrennan| T: D Menuisier| OR: 86| D

66/1

40/1, shaped as if needing the run on first outing since leaving Henry De Bromhead and rejoining former yard after 10 months off when last of 7 in handicap at Kempton (12f) 8 weeks ago. This should reveal plenty.

Form: 0/8600-7

(2)

Lucky's Dream^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Rossa Ryan| T: B Brookhouse| OR: 83| C| D

20/1

Missed all of 2022 but all ability seemingly remains, not seen to best effect back off his much higher all-weather mark when 2¾ lengths sixth of 7 to Wynter Wildes at this C&D 33 days ago. Mark eases 3 lb and not without place claims.

Form: 54/3246

(9)

True Courage^v³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: David Egan| T: M L W Bell| OR: 80| CD

12/1

C&D winner. Ran even worse than on his return when tailed-off last of 13 in handicap (11/1) at Yarmouth (14.1f, good) 30 days ago. Back on all-weather but still tough to support.

Form: 1189-40

(4)

Isle Of Sark^b,t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 80

10/1

Blinkered for 1st time, creditable second of 6 in handicap (6/1) at Leicester (11.8f, good to firm) 18 days ago, having run of race. Makes tapeta debut. Every chance if back to best.

Form: 7-53572

(3)

Wynter Wildes^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Shepherd| T: C Fellowes| OR: 80| CD

7/1

Supplemented June's Haydock success with a career-best victory in 7-runner handicap (14/1) over C&D last month. Creditable fifth of 11 in handicap (10/1) at Windsor (11.4f, good to firm) since and should continue to give a good account.

Form: 751715

(6)

Natchez Trace⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: J P Sullivan| T: D Carroll| OR: 76| D

12/1

Latest win at Southwell in June. 11/1, failed to last home when last of 7 in handicap at Haydock (14f, good to soft) 41 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 501387

(13)

Imaginary World⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Allan| T: J Tate| OR: 84

9/2

Improved a chunk when making a winning return/handicap debut at Chelmsford (1¼m) in March prior to a good second at Beverley (12.1f) in June. Didn't convince with his stamina upped to 14f at Haydock latest and back in trip now.

Form: 25-1326

(12)

Glenister⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 73| BF| D

10/1

3 wins from 4 runs this year, latest at Brighton. Proved disappointing bidding for his fourth win in June when second of 3 in handicap at Bath (11.6f, firm, 1/4) 75 days ago, flattered by proximity. Can get back on track after a break.

Form: 20-1112

(8)

Chase The Dollar¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Billy Loughnane⁽³⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 73

15/2

Ran much better than at Galway when third of 6 in handicap at Leicester (11.8f, good to firm, 14/1) 18 days ago. Top claimer takes a handy 3 lb off and he's not without each-way hope.

Form: 292-703

(5)

Muzaffar²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 72

9/2

Winner at Southwell in February. Ran poorly back down in trip when eighth of 10 in handicap at Chepstow (10f, good, 22/1) 3 weeks ago. Back up in trip and with the headgear left off, he's worth chancing from this much-reduced mark returned to the all-weather.

Form: 130P48

(10)

Red Royalist^p,t¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 8-10| J: Mia Nicholls⁽⁷⁾| T: M Murphy & M Keady| OR: 69| D

80/1

Latest win at Chester in July. 9/2, below form when seventh of 9 in handicap at Kempton (11f) 15 days ago. Is now just 1 lb above his last winning mark so can't be discounted.

Form: 7-33157

(1)

Tafsir^p²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: Hayley Turner| T: J S Goldie| OR: 61| D

9/1

3 wins from last 4 starts, latest in 13-runner handicap (10/3) at Musselburgh (14f, good) 20 days ago, quickening to lead final 100 yds and soon clear. Upped significantly in grade but impossible to dismiss in her current mood.

Form: 231121

Forecasts

Imaginary World (9/2), Muzaffar (9/2), Wynter Wildes (7/1), Lizzie Jean (7/1), Chase The Dollar (15/2), Tafsir (9/1), Glenister (10/1), Isle Of Sark (10/1), Natchez Trace (12/1), True Courage (12/1), Lucky's Dream (20/1), Nuits St Georges (66/1), Red Royalist (80/1)

An ultra-competitive opener to week 4 of the Racing League and at forecast longer odds, MUZAFFAR gets the verdict to double his tally back up in trip having been given a chance by the handicapper. The main threat may emerge from Lizzie Jean, who has hit the crossbar on her last couple of starts and may have to settle for silver once again. The in-form Tafsir and recent C&D winner Wynter Wildes can do battle for third spot.