12:25 Newcastle

Friday 17 January 2025

All12:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:55

BetMGM: It's Showtime Handicap

Off time: 12:26 | Winning time: 1m 42.01s

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Selected odds by:

(1)

Popmaster¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: Billy Loughnane| T: E Walker| OR: 103

12/1

Without a win in 2024 but returned to form on all-weather last 3 starts, Creditable 1½ lengths third of 7 to Storm Star in handicap at this C&D (13/2) 16 days ago and would have benefitted from a stronger gallop. Not guaranteed to get that here but arrives in good form and is one for the shortlist.

Form: 60023-3

(4)

Symbol Of Light^p,h¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Ryan Sexton| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 95| D

16/1

Shaped well starting out for shrewd new ownership after 8 months off when 1½ lengths fourth of 7 to Storm Star in handicap at this C&D (17/2) 16 days ago, another who would have preferred to stronger gallop to aim at. Entitled to come on for that comeback effort and looks a leading player.

Form: 3/2260-4

(5)

Apiarist⁶^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Mason Paetel⁽⁷⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 90| CD

11/2

Made the most of a drop down in grade when winning a 16-runner handicap at Chelmsford City (8f) 6 days ago, travelled well, nice run up inner to lead in final 100 yards. One to consider but will need to step forward again to defy a penalty here.

Form: 3941-21

(9)

Fantastic Fox⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Aidan Keeley| T: R Varian| OR: 94| CD

6/1

C&D winner. Won 3 times on AW last winter, including polytrack. Not disgraced in the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot at end of last season and caught the eye on comeback, held up with plenty to do and finished with running left. That run should put him spot on for this and he rates as a leading contender.

Form: 138595-

(11)

Kind Of Kiss²¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: K P De Foy| OR: 93

20/1

Fairly useful form in France, stays 10.5f. Won maiden at Fontainebleau (by 1¼ lengths from Pay To Learn) in April 2024 but well held in Prix du Lys in June. Sold from A. Fabre for 40,000 gns in October and has been gelded. Bit to find if he is to take this on stable debut.

Form: 210-

(7)

Nikovo²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Herrington| OR: 91| CD

22/1

Victorious on second start for new yard when winning an 8-runner handicap at this C&D (9/2) 27 days ago, readily. Up 4 lb for that victory but the manner of his win suggests he should be capable of holding his own now back in a higher grade.

Form: 465261-

(12)

Mcmanaman³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Marco Ghiani| T: Ian Williams| OR: 91

40/1

Low-key start for present yard but more like it in recent starts, best effort latest when third of 9 in a handicap at Chelmsford City (8f) 36 days ago, having been well positioned. Place claims.

Form: 074203-

(10)

Storm Star¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Hayley Turner| T: A M Balding| OR: 90| CD

7/2

Yet to finish outside the frame in his career, including two wins here and deservedly got off the mark in handicaps on return from 9 weeks off when winning a 7-runner handicap at this C&D 16 days ago, having been well positioned. No surprise to see him run well again.

Form: 32333-1

(6)

Dragon Icon⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 90| BF| D

3/1

Ran a good neck second of 11 to Apiarist in handicap over C&D 42 days ago, travelled well and had to wait for gap over 1f out. That form entitles him to be in the mix here.

Form: 049982-

(8)

Liamarty Dreams¹⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 89| C| D

33/1

Course winner. Two wins from 6 runs last year. Lost his way end of last season, 16/1, last of 12 in handicap at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) back in July now. Off 6 months now and hard to be confident unless the market speak in his favour on return.

Form: 115980-

(3)

Angel Of Antrim^v²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: A Mullen| T: Jack Morland| OR: 85| C| D

18/1

4-time course winner, winning sequence ended when seventh of 11 in a handicap at Southwell (7.1f, 11/1) 2 days ago. Tough to make a case for him now upped in grade.

Form: 611-117

(2)

Feel The Need¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-3| J: Hollie Doyle| T: M Herrington| OR: 80| D

11/1

Good third of 10 in handicap (10/3) at Southwell (8.1f) 19 days ago, left with too much to do. Positive jockey booking and low racing weight could see him run well.

Form: 455513-

Forecasts

Dragon Icon (3/1), Storm Star (7/2), Apiarist (11/2), Fantastic Fox (6/1), Feel The Need (11/1), Popmaster (12/1), Symbol Of Light (16/1), Angel Of Antrim (18/1), Kind Of Kiss (20/1), Nikovo (22/1), Liamarty Dreams (33/1), Mcmanaman (40/1)

FANTASTIC FOX very much caught the eye on his return, finishing with running left, and that effort should put him spot on for today. The shrewd new ownership of Symbol of Light will have had this race earmarked for a while, so he's respected along with the consistent Storm Star who has two wins at this track already.